Canelo Backs Usyk Stoppage: "Saved Him From KO"

Boxing champion Canelo Alvarez has offered his perspective on the controversial stoppage during the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven fight, stating that referee Mark Lyson made the correct call. Alvarez, who was present at the ringside, believes Lyson "saved" Verhoeven from suffering a "brutal knockout" rather than stopping the fight prematurely.

Usyk secured a victory over Verhoeven with just one second left in the 11th round after a decisive uppercut. Despite being a significant underdog, Verhoeven had executed a strong game plan, even leading on one scorecard entering the final rounds. Alvarez's attendance at the Giza event occurred on the same day as the introductory press conference for his own September 12th bout against Christian M'billi, marking his return to the ring almost a year after his loss to Terence Crawford.

During his time in Giza, Alvarez also faced a call-out from British boxer Hamzah Sheeraz, who expressed his desire to fight Alvarez next. Alvarez is currently the sole high-level boxer exclusively associated with Turki Alalshikh's Riyadh Season initiative, having signed a substantial four-fight deal.