Rico Verhoeven has shared his reaction after the decision to dismiss him following his controversial defeat to Oleksandr Usyk was revealed.

Kickboxing legend Verhoeven challenged Usyk for the heavyweight crown last month at the Giza Pyramids in Egypt, in a fight that most people thought was a large mismatch.

That certainly wasn’t the case, however, as the Dutchman fought Usyk side-by-side for 11 rounds and it looked like the challenger might be on the verge of one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.

In the final phase of the 11th round, Usyk finally fired the shot that knocked down Verhoeven, and although the kickboxing star was able to get back on his feet, further action in the corner led to referee Mark Lyson stopping the fight, which many fans prematurely believed.

Further controversy arose when it emerged that the bell signaling the end of the round had already rung before the stoppage, leading to Verhoeven filing a formal appeal against the defeat.

The Dutchman has now announced the outcome of the appeal in a statement on social mediarevealing that he failed to meet the challenge because the committee found that relevant factors did not change the outcome of the competition.

“On May 24, we filed a formal protest because we truly believed that the way the fight was stopped was seriously questionable. On June 16, we received the Commission’s decision.

“The ruling confirmed that the bell to end round 11 had already sounded before the referee physically waved his hand to end the fight. The official timekeeper said exactly that. The ringside doctor also confirmed that I did not show any signs of disorientation or disorientation after the fight. In the Commission’s opinion, none of these findings changed the result.”

Despite the failure of the appeal, Verhoeven once again made it clear that he believed Usyk should do the right thing and award the rematch.

“Listen, this was never about taking anything away from Oleksandr. He is one of the greatest riders of his generation and I have nothing but respect for what he has done. What remains in my mind is that after eleven unforgettable rounds on one of the biggest and most epic stages in the world, history simply stopped before it was over.

“I truly believe that everyone deserved a chance to see how this fight ended. The fans were denied a 12th round. After everything we both put into this fight, they deserved to see this end.”

“So for me the conclusion is actually very elementary. Let’s end this story and give the fans an immediate rematch!”

For now, it appears Usyk has one of two options for his next fight – either a rematch with Verhoeven or a clash with mandatory WBC title challenger Agit Kabayel.

Undefeated South Jersey heavyweights Josh “The Hammer” Popper and Bruce “2.0” Seldon Jr. made weight on Friday ahead of Saturday’s Boxing Insider Promotions main event at the Tropicana Atlantic City Showroom. Popper, of Egg Harbor Township, weighed 250 pounds. Seldon Jr. of Smithville weighed 236 pounds. The six-round heavyweight main event caps off a seven-fight card, with the first bell ringing at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The card marks Boxing Insider Promotions’ 21st show since October 2022, with events in Novel York and Atlantic City and planned expansion into additional markets. The series was billed as the last American club boxing series to regularly present regional professional cards at a time when most American promoters have moved away from the club model.

“We did it. Two undefeated heavyweights. The winner goes to the next level. That’s what club boxing is all about. Come to the Tropicana tomorrow and watch the fireworks,” said promoter Larry Goldberg, Novel York Promoter of the Year for 2023 and 2024.

Popper (7-0, 7 KO) trains under Jose Luis Guzman at Bredwinners Gym in Manhattan. Seldon Jr. (8-0, 6 KO) trains under Julio Sanchez at the Pleasantville Recreation Center and is the son of former WBA heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon Sr., who won the title in Atlantic City.

Official scales, full card

Main event, heavyweight, 6 rounds
Josh Popper (7-0, 7 KO), Egg Harbor Township, Novel Jersey, 250 pounds
Bruce Seldon Jr. (8-0, 6 KO), Smithville, Novel Jersey, 236 pounds

Second feature film, super lightweight, 8 rounds
Daiyaan Butt (20-4), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 142 pounds.
Willmank Canonico Brito (13-10-2, 11 KO), Rosarito, Mexico, 142 pounds

Middleweight, 4 rounds
Damian Tinnerello (5-0, 4 KO), Berlin, Novel Jersey, 160 pounds
Abdalla Nagy (2-4), Albuquerque, Novel Mexico, 160 pounds.

Middleweight, 6 rounds
Kahshad Elliott (7-0, 6 KO), Plainfield, Novel Jersey, 158 pounds
Scottie Stockman (4-2, 1 KO), Medford, OR, 156 pounds

Super lightweight, 4 rounds
Julio Sanchez III (4-1, 2 KO), Pleasantville, Novel Jersey, 140 pounds
Shawn Rall (4-6, 3 KO), Bedford, Ohio, 139 pounds

Featherlight heavyweight, 4 rounds
Jahanzeb Rizwan (1-0, 1 KO), Bronx, Novel York, 171 pounds
Daniel Keepers (pro debut), North Las Vegas, Nevada, 171 pounds.

Middleweight, 4 rounds
David Malul (4-0, 2 KO), Queens, Novel York, 154 pounds
Julius Thomas (1-3-1, 1 KO), Youngstown, Ohio, 155 pounds

How to watch

Full card broadcasts live and free on the website BoxingInsider YouTube Channel starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Tickets for Saturday’s card at the Tropicana Showroom are available on sale through Ticketmaster.

The death of 12-year-old boxer Anderson Aguilar continues to reverberate through the Midland community as tributes pour in for the teenage fighter whose journey in the sport has only just begun.

Aguilar died on June 9 from stern injuries in a June 1 accident in Midland, Texas.

As a result of the tragedy, 18-year-old James Baker also died, and three other teenage passengers were taken to hospital and are currently recovering.

As the community continued to mourn, those who knew Anderson through boxing remembered a teenage fighter whose love for the sport left a lasting impression.

The boxing community pays tribute

Texas boxer Ernest Bustos shared an emotional message after learning of Anderson’s death.

“It was nice meeting you, Andy,” Bustos said.

“Seeing you in your element sparring with anyone willing to share the ring with you was truly inspiring and exhilarating to be out of it!”

“To all those affected in these complex times, we must mourn, but let us not forget that these are wonderful children who now have a place in heaven.”

A remembered teenage boxer

According to his family, boxing was one of Anderson’s greatest passions.

“He had been training since he was a child and was just starting his adventure with the sport he loved so much,” relatives said.

Sports also strengthened the bond between Anderson and his father, who proudly watched his son pursue the same dream he once had.

Family members described Anderson as a content child with a kind heart and a personality that brought smiles at every turn.

He loved music, especially Bruno Mars, and was known for singing, dancing and making people laugh.

His mother affectionately called him “Gordito” – a nickname that has become a indefinite part of many treasured family memories.

Community support

While the investigation is ongoing, Anderson’s family thanked the community for its support and continued prayers.

They also asked people to think of other teenage survivors who will continue the long road to recovery.

To those who knew him, Anderson will be remembered not only as a teenage boxer with a passion for the sport, but also as a child whose energy, kindness and enthusiasm made a lasting impression on those around him.

A GoFundMe page set up to support the Aguilar family also collected donations from community members mourning Anderson’s loss.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.