Referee Mark Lyson is facing heavy scrutiny after stopping Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven at the end of the 11th round on Saturday, May 23, resulting in a controversial victory for Usyk.
Lyson has been accused of poor judgment for denying Verhoeven the chance to continue into the 12th round, with the timing and nature of the stoppage drawing widespread debate. Some observers, however, have voiced support for the official.
Canelo Alvarez backed the call, saying, "I don't think [the stoppage was early],’’ and adding, "I think they saved him from a brutal knockout." Teddy Atlas also defended Lyson’s approach, stating, "I really believe the referee already made up his mind simultaneously as the bell was about to ring, the referee was already ready to stop it. So you can’t blame him.’’
Lyson’s track record includes both praise and controversy in high-profile bouts. In November 2021, he stopped Alycia Baumgardner vs. Terri Harper after Baumgardner hurt Harper, a decision that drew acclaim, including the reaction, "World class officiating from Mark Lyson, he might have just saved Harper from brain damage.’’ Tony Bellew has been one of Lyson’s most vocal supporters, saying of that stoppage, "Mark Lyson deserves all the credit in the world,'' and, "It was a brilliant, brilliant call. He’s a top referee,’’ while later adding in response to the Usyk-Verhoeven backlash that "he’s human.’’
Lyson has also been involved in other debated moments, including confusion in a British lightweight title fight between Maxi Hughes and Paul Hyland Jr., and an illegal-shot no-contest ruling in Charlie Edwards vs. Julio Cesar Martinez.
