Peter Fury Urges Usyk-Verhoeven Rematch After Round 11 Stoppage in Egypt

14 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 24

Round 11 ended in controversy at the pyramids of Giza, where Oleksandr Usyk stopped Rico Verhoeven after a knockdown and late flurry that Peter Fury said was halted prematurely.
Two scorecards were 95-95 and a third had Verhoeven up 96-94 after 10 rounds, suggesting the kickboxing star was close to a major upset despite entering as a heavy underdog.
Fury said Verhoeven was fatigued and might not have survived the 12th, but argued the referee should have let him reach the bell and called on Usyk to "run it back."
Verhoeven also said the stoppage came too soon, while still praising Usyk for taking the fight and saying he felt the bout was roughly even on the cards.
Agit Kabayel, Usyk's WBC mandatory challenger, entered the ring afterward to press for a title fight in Germany, adding another option to Usyk's next-move debate.

After a controversial stoppage, should Usyk grant the kickboxer a rematch or face his mandatory challenger?

How will this controversial win, in one of his last fights, shape Oleksandr Usyk’s undefeated legacy?

Does Verhoeven’s success prove crossover athletes are the new major threat in heavyweight boxing?