Overview
- In May, Oleksandr Usyk was declared the winner when referee Mark Lyson stopped the fight late in round 11, a call that many observers and scorecards disputed.
- Verhoeven says the stoppage still hangs over him and confirmed he is a free agent who now sees a bigger financial gap favoring boxing over a move to the UFC.
- Public figures including Joe Rogan have condemned the judging and stoppage and urged heavyweights promoters such as Dana White and Zuffa to help arrange a rematch.
- Talks of an immediate rematch have slowed while Usyk has relinquished his belts and has been linked to pursuing a fight with Deontay Wilder next.
- The episode has renewed calls for clearer rules, better referee protocols and greater transparency from sanctioning bodies after unusual pre‑fight title contingencies limited what a Verhoeven win would have meant.