All articles tagged with #stoppage
Usyk dismissed criticisms that his late stoppage of Rico Verhoeven was premature, saying it’s not his job to judge referees or stoppages and his focus remains on boxing. The bout proved tougher than expected, with Verhoeven briefly ahead on some cards before Usyk secured an 11th‑round finish after a knockdown, preserving the WBC heavyweight title amid scrutiny of the referee’s stoppage.
Oleksandr Usyk retained his titles with an 11th‑round TKO over Rico Verhoeven in Cairo, a finish many observers viewed as controversial as Verhoeven appeared competitive. Usyk then invited fans to share their thoughts on X, sparking a widespread roast about the stoppage, while a minority defended the referee’s call. The backlash has fueled rematch talk and ongoing debate over the ending.
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Rico Verhoeven by TKO in Cairo after a controversial stoppage that occurred after the bell; Verhoeven, ahead on one scorecard and arguing the bell rang, intends to appeal and wants a rematch or a scorecard decision, while praising his game plan and acknowledging the setback.
Daniel Dubois defeated Fabio Wardley to win the WBO heavyweight title in Manchester after two knockdowns, with doctors allowing the fight to continue into round 10. Wardley stumbled to start the 10th and many fans and commentators questioned whether the stoppage should have come sooner, sparking debate among former fighters and pundits. Reactions included Noel Gallagher and Chris Eubank Jr labeling the bout as the fight of the year so far, while Darren Barker, Carl Frampton, Richie Woodhall and Steve Bunce criticized the handling of the stoppage but praised Wardley’s bravery.
Zak Chelli stunned David Morrell Jr by stopping him in the 10th round on Morrell’s two-weeks’ notice, on the undercard after Callum Smith withdrew with an injury, delivering the biggest win of Chelli’s career and forcing Morrell to rebuild.
Sebastian Fundora overwhelmed Keith Thurman and secured a stoppage victory, using his size and relentless pressure to overwhelm the veteran challenger.
Herb Dean's quick stoppage in the UFC Paris fight between Axel Sola and Rhys McKee sparked debate among fighters and commentators, with some feeling it was premature despite the replay showing the fighter's vulnerable position.
Referee Jason Herzog reflected on his controversial stoppage in the UFC Nashville main event, where Derrick Lewis quickly KO'ed Tallison Teixeira. Herzog considered the stoppage a little early after discussing with veteran referee John McCarthy, who noted Herzog's concern about Teixeira's health and the possibility of a cage grab foul. The fight's ending remains debated, highlighting the challenges referees face in ensuring fighter safety while maintaining fairness.