Usyk retains title after controversial stoppage in Giza

A heavyweight title fight in Giza ended in controversy Saturday night when referee Mark Lyson stopped the bout between champion Oleksandr Usyk and challenger Rico Verhoeven just as the bell sounded to end the 11th round. Usyk retained his WBC title via technical knockout, but the timing of the stoppage has prompted Verhoeven to appeal the result.

The controversy centers on the final seconds of the penultimate round. Usyk dropped Verhoeven with a right uppercut with roughly 20 seconds remaining. Verhoeven beat the count and, upon the resumption of action, Usyk unleashed a flurry of punches. Replays show referee Lyson stepping in to wave off the fight at the 2:59 mark of the round, with the bell to end the round audibly sounding either simultaneously or immediately after the stoppage.

Verhoeven’s trainer, Peter Fury, later revealed he spoke directly with Lyson on their shared flight back to England. Fury said he confronted the official about the decision. According to Fury, Lyson admitted he did not hear the bell. Fury said he found the explanation credible, as he also did not hear the bell in the heat of the moment, relying instead on people around the ring who told him the...