Referee admits stopping Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight after the bell

The referee at the centre of the controversial fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven last month told a boxing commission he had seen enough to stop the bout in the 11th round before the bell sounded.

Verhoeven, 37, who lost the fight in May, appealed to the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission (MEPB) against the result.

He claimed referee Mark Lyson ended the contest in Egypt after the official bell had sounded, and appealed on that basis.

In its ruling, seen by BBC Sport, the commission agreed that the fight had been concluded after the bell sounded - but said it had no bearing on the outcome.

Dutchman Verhoeven had revealed on Wednesday that his formal protest had been dismissed.

He looked to be on the verge of a major upset against boxing great Usyk, but the Ukrainian produced a late surge that sent him to the canvas.

Verhoeven beat the count, but a follow-up flurry in the closing seconds of the round prompted referee Mark Lyson to step in and wave it off - a decision that looked harsh on the challenger.

Usyk was named the winner and retained his world heavyweight titles.

MEPB said Lyson acted in good faith "and with the paramount objective of boxer safety", and said it could have only overturned the result had the referee not acted that way.