BOXING fans were left FURIOUS after Oleksandr Usyk narrowly avoided one of the biggest sporting upsets EVER.
Usyk had struggled MIGHTILY against kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven, with many watching on believing the Dutchman was ahead on rounds and that the stoppage was way too early.
The Ukrainian eventually knocked Verhoeven down in round 11 as he finally worked his way back into the fight.
But with ONE SECOND left in the round, British referee Mark Lyson jumped in and waved off the fight.
After the fight, Verhoeven said: “I thought it was an early stoppage… the referee knows we’re almost at the end of the round.
“Let me go out on my shield, or let the bell go. But it’s not up to me.”
World champion Shakur Stevenson simply wrote: “Oh s***.”
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul: “I mean that’s the most insane s*** I’ve ever seen.
“Rico winning every round and the moment the ref sees to end it then he ends it, are you kidding. I’m the biggest Usyk fan but bro you lost that s***.
“Shoutout to Rico for beating his ass every round and getting jipped. Damnnnnnn.”
One fan wrote: “Bulls*** stoppage, boxing is fixed.”
Another added: “The biggest disgrace and robbery ever. What the f***.
“The bell went. Absolutley disgraceful.”
A third put: “Filthy rigged sport.”
Adding to the anger of fans on social media, leaked scorecards showed that Verhoeven was actually ahead – if only by a very small margin.
Judges Manuel Palomo and Fabian Guggenheim both had the fight at a 95-95 draw after 10 rounds, while Pasquale Procopio had it 96-94 to the kickboxer.
Fans couldn’t believe the scores were so tight.
On DAZN coverage, analyst Mike Coppinger had the scores at 98-92 before the stoppage.
One fan wrote: “Imagine taking boxing seriously in 2026. How anyone is a fan of this sport anymore is beyond comprehension.”
While another added: “Ridiculous scorecard. Rico was miles ahead.”
