Rico Verhoeven has called for an apology following the controversial conclusion of his WBC heavyweight kickboxing title challenge against Oleksandr Usyk. The Dutch fighter’s bid ended abruptly when British referee Mark Lyson stopped the fight in the final second of the eleventh round during their bout in Egypt.

Verhoeven, 37, has lodged an official appeal against the stoppage but does not anticipate that the decision will be overturned. Instead, he is seeking a formal acknowledgment that the referee’s call was premature. “All I’m looking for is just an apology. Like, ‘Yeah, we could’ve done better, so we’re sorry’,” Verhoeven said. He added that both fighters should move forward with a rematch, emphasizing it is what fans want to see.

The stoppage has sparked debate within the kickboxing community, with some supporters of Usyk asserting the referee’s intervention was justified given the circumstances, while Verhoeven’s camp and others view it as a rushed and unfair conclusion to a hard-fought contest. The appeal process and any subsequent rematch plans remain pending as stakeholders review the event.

The bout, taking place in Egypt, marked a significant moment in the heavyweight kickboxing scene, with Verhoeven aiming to secure the WBC title held by Usyk. The controversy surrounding the stoppage has overshadowed the event’s outcome, fueling discussions about officiating standards in high-stakes matches going forward.