Luke Littler joins fury over Usyk vs Verhoeven with cutting nine-word Insta post as Anthony Joshua gives his verdict

LUKE LITTLER has weighed in on Oleksandr Usyk’s controversial stoppage win over Rico Verhoeven, claiming boxing is “gone”.

The teenage Luke Littler sensation, 19, fired off a brutal nine-word reaction on Instagram after fans and fighters were left stunned by the dramatic ending to the blockbuster clash in Egypt.

Littler wrote on his Instagram story: “Boxing is officially gone, game is so far gone 😑.”

The heavyweight showdown erupted into controversy after referee Mark Lyson waved the fight off with just ONE SECOND remaining in round 11.

Oleksandr Usyk had finally shifted the momentum by flooring kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven late in the round after spending much of the fight on the back foot.

But after Verhoeven beat the count, Usyk piled on the pressure again and Lyson stepped in to stop the bout before the Dutchman had the chance to recover for the final round.

Much of the boxing world agreed the stoppage came too early — and Verhoeven is now planning to appeal.

Anthony Joshua was among those to question the referee’s decision afterwards.

Asked whether he believed Verhoeven had been ahead, AJ said: “I don’t know but it was a good fight. I knew he was a good fighter.”

Joshua, who attended the fight, was then asked if the stoppage came prematurely.

He replied: “Yeah, definitely.”

Verhoeven also made clear he was unhappy with how the fight ended.

The Dutchman said: “I thought it was an early stoppage… the referee knows we’re almost at the end of the round.

“Let me go out on my shield, or let the bell go. But it’s not up to me.”

Fans online were furious, with many convinced Verhoeven had been comfortably ahead before the stoppage.

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul blasted: “I mean that’s the most insane s*** I’ve ever seen.

“Rico winning every round and the moment the ref sees to end it then he ends it, are you kidding. I’m the biggest Usyk fan but bro you lost that s***.”

World champion Shakur Stevenson simply posted: “Oh s***.”

American boxing journalist Mike Coppinger, speaking on DAZN coverage, had Verhoeven leading 7-1 after eight rounds on his unofficial scorecard.

But viewers were stunned when the official judges’ scores appeared, showing the contest level at 76-76 across all three cards at that stage.

After 10 rounds, two judges still had the fight even at 95-95, while another scored it 96-94 to Verhoeven.

Although Usyk would likely have edged ahead after his 10-8 round in the 11th, many believed Verhoeven deserved the opportunity to survive until the final bell.

Instead, one of boxing’s wildest nights ended in yet another storm of controversy.