Dennis Verhoeven (43) from Eindhoven earned the nickname ‘The Sledgehammer’ as a boxer. The boxer fought his last match two years ago and has been teaching children ever since. A dream that is now coming true is his own line of boxing gloves. Part of the proceeds will go to the crowdfunding campaign of kickboxer Robbie Hageman.
His old trainer nicknamed him for his hard corner hits. This is also evident from the many titles and cups he has to his name. Including the WBC world title.
Verhoeven himself describes himself as ‘an invalid who fights against normal people’. His last party was for the KiKa foundation, against childhood cancer. He himself was twice confronted with testicular cancer. Although he didn’t necessarily stop boxing because of that: “Look, I turned 42. At some point it’s over, isn’t it.”
Promising talent
Only the love for boxing never went away. So Verhoeven got his certificate to teach boxing. He now trains children. He has already spotted the first promising talent: Charlotte Boomkens. The 7-year-old trains every Friday and he says he is someone to keep an eye on. She even has her own sponsor. He also gives clinics in the rest of the country.
One day he came into contact with Atila Mert. He does sponsorship more often and has a boxing shop on the Bruggelaan in Eindhoven. “He wanted to release gloves with my logo on them. I was fine with that.” The boxing gloves are easily recognizable by the two gloves and demolition hammers on the top. The logo was drawn by the father of his ‘talent’.
Robbie Hageman
To Verhoeven’s delight, Mert wanted to take on all the costs. For every pair of boxing gloves sold, another twenty euros will also go to charity, including Robbie Hageman’s crowdfunding. The kickboxer from Nuenen is terminally ill, but has pinned his hopes on a specialist in America.
The training sessions that Verhoeven gives are still outside for the time being, because he does not have a sports location. Laughing: “But who knows, these gloves will be a great success.”