Verhoeven questions open-scoring cards from Usyk fight

Rico Verhoeven has questioned the open scoring shown during his loss to Oleksandr Usyk. The heavyweight kickboxer said the judges' even tally after four rounds did not match his own read of the contest.

“There were open scorecards and after 4 rounds, they said we're even. I was like, 'Hmm, ok.' I felt like it was at least 3 to 1, but ok, we're even, that's fine.”

— Rico Verhoeven, via Sherdog

What Rico Verhoeven said

Verhoeven crossed over from kickboxing to face Usyk in a boxing match. The bout used open scoring, with cards revealed between rounds. Verhoeven competes at 123 kg, though his opponent's weight class in boxing sits lower.

What it moves

Verhoeven's comments suggest he felt ahead on the cards when the judges called the fight level. Open scoring remains rare in professional boxing, used more often in amateur and exhibition settings. The system aims to give fighters real-time feedback, though it can spark mid-fight disputes over close rounds.

Source: sherdog.com. Full Rico Verhoeven fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.