Ngannou backs Verhoeven after Usyk stoppage controversy
Francis Ngannou says Rico Verhoeven should have been awarded victory over Oleksandr Usyk despite the stoppage decision. The heavyweight believes the kickboxer was denied a clear win in their exhibition bout.
“Outsiders will never win, trust me I know, but Rico was the winner tonight. Period.”
— Francis Ngannou, via BBC Sport
What Francis Ngannou said
Ngannou fought Usyk's stablemate Tyson Fury in October 2023 and knows the difficulty outsiders face against established boxing names. The MMA heavyweight has since competed in boxing himself, experiencing the sport's politics first-hand. Verhoeven is a kickboxing champion who crossed over for the Usyk exhibition.
What it moves
The former UFC champion's intervention adds weight to the debate around the stoppage. Speaking to BBC Sport, Ngannou said outsiders face an uphill battle in boxing. His own experience lends credibility to claims that crossover fighters struggle to get fair rulings regardless of performance.
Source: bbc.com. Full Francis Ngannou fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.
Related Fighters & Stats
Get Ringside Updates
Fight announcements, results, and analysis delivered to your inbox. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.