Verhoeven says appeal against loss to Usyk dismissedImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Kickboxing great Rico Verhoeven (centre) had one professional boxing fight prior to his bout with Oleksandr Usyk, a win over journeyman Janos Finfera in 2014ByLorraine McKennaBBC Sport JournalistPublished19 minutes agoRico Verhoeven says his appeal against the result of his defeat by unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk last month has been dismissed.A commission agreed the fight was stopped after a bell for the end of the round sounded, but stated this did not affect the outcome.Verhoeven, 37, called for a rematch and an apology from officials after the heavyweight world title bout in Egypt on 23 May was controversially stopped in the 11th round.
Kickboxing legend Verhoeven, in just his second professional boxing fight, troubled 39-year-old Usyk for long spells, but a late surge by the Ukrainian great sent the Dutchman to the canvas.
Verhoeven beat the count, but a follow-up flurry in the closing stages of the round prompted the referee to step in and wave it off – a decision that looked extremely harsh on Verhoeven.
Posting on his Instagram,, external Verhoeven wrote that the appeal commission verified the bell ending round 11 had already sounded before the referee physically waved off the fight.
