Verhoeven believes the scorecards did the talking in his clash
against Oleksandr Usyk.
Verhoeven challenged Usyk for the WBC heavyweight title in front of
the Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, on Saturday. Going in as a +1400
underdog, Verhoeven shocked the world by dominating the early
rounds against Usyk, even stunning the unified heavyweight
champion. However, Usyk gradually started landing in the later
rounds and dropped Verhoeven with an uppercut in the 11th. While
Verhoeven returned to his feet, Usyk cornered him with another
barrage of shots. Referee Mark Lyson then unexpectedly stopped the
fight with a second left in the 11th round, declaring a stoppage
win for Usyk. The controversial stoppage is facing widespread
backlash in the world of combat sports.
Verhoeven says the lesson he learned from his fight is never to get
comfortable and always stay focused.
“Never get comfortable,” Verhoeven told Boxing King Media. “Stay focused, stay switched
on. It ain’t over till it’s over.”
In Pursuit of a Rematch
While two of the judges had even scorecards, Verhoeven was winning
on the third before the fight was stopped. The former kickboxing
champion believes the scorecards tell the whole story of the fight.
Verhoeven congratulated Usyk on the win while calling for a
rematch.
“Leave emotions out of it,” Verhoeven wrote on Instagram. “Read the
cards. One second left heading into the 12th and final round.
Onwards and upwards! Respect to [Usyk], it was an honor to share
the ring with you. Let’s run it back!”