With Vechtpensioen? Nieky Holzken is not talking about it. The 41-year-old Helmonder wants to take the world title Boxing later this year, but will first win on July 12 in ‘his’ Helmond from Albanian Edison Demaj. Son Geraldo Holzken (18) fights his second professional party on the same evening. Nieky: “To my knowledge it has never happened that father and son both boxes a professional competition. A dream comes true.”
What the weak point of Nieky Holzken is was asked to DEMAJ during a press conference. “His age”, followed as an answer. Nieky: “He is right, I am 41 years old. But on July 12 he will notice that I don’t feel 41. I like that he says that, it triggers me.”
The Helmonder himself feels that he is no longer the youngest. “The recovery takes a little longer. I used to train two or three times a day, now only very well. Anyone who sees me at work can confirm that I don’t train as a 41-year-old.”
On the evening in the Veko Sporthal in Helmond it is about boxing and not about kickboxing, where Holzken was so successful. Seven years ago he boxed his last competition. “But I have been boxing for more than 30 years and I have fought 25 games. It is very easy for me to switch from kickboxing to boxing. They are two different sports, you can compare it to driving on a cross bike or on the road.”
Which sport is the best according to him? “Kickboxing is heavier and harder, boxing is a bit more chic. I prefer a long boxing party, but I think it will be ready within five of the ten rounds on July 12.”
“That world title is my goal.”
If Nieky wins the game at the World Boxing Foundation (WBF), he will fight on December 3 in Dubai for the world title. “It is not for nothing that they invite me with my 41 years. That world title is my goal. And that is really not the end of my career. I want to keep kickboxing for another two years and possibly continuing to box. What is old? George Foreman was some years older when he took the world title.”
Geraldo is, just like his father, full of confidence. He is definitely not afraid of losing. “I am impressed by myself. If I don’t have that trust, you can’t achieve anything and I hang my boxing gloves on the willows.”
When asked who of the two is the best, Nieky immediately has an answer: “Geraldo is much better at this age than when I had his age. The difference is that no one had a background with boxing and kickboxing within my family. Hence my tattoo with the text Selfmade. At Geraldo the boxing gloves hung in the cradle. “
A paternal advice is given regularly. “I try to protect him from the mistakes I made in my career. Then it’s not just about training, nutrition and going out, but also about sponsors and management. It has cost me hundreds of thousands of euros, it could be a dirty world. I would rather put that money on the couch. But it is up to Geraldo to train hard and win.”
The boxing stent has big dreams. “Of course I listen to my father, he has experienced everything. I am young and can develop even further. There are great plans for me in the future and they will certainly come true.”