Geraldo Holzken will retire from boxing for the time being. The 19-year-old son of kickboxing world champion Nieky Holzken is not mentally in the right state to fight. “I’m putting down my gloves for a while and will focus on myself in the near future,” he writes on Instagram.
Holzken fought his second professional match in July of this year and won convincingly in his own hometown of Helmond. Then it became quiet around the 19-year-old boxing talent.
Until Wednesday, when he announced on his own Instagram account that he was taking a break from top sport for the time being. He makes no promises and does not rule out anything for the future. “Maybe things will change.”
There are many reactions from acquaintances and fans. So writes Rocco Verdult: ‘Respect, it’s great that you dare to make such a statement!’ Freya’s mother also admires Holzken’s choice: ‘Your own (mental) health comes first! When you’re ready again, you’ll come back harder than ever before.”
Fighting for the world title
Father Nieky doesn’t want to think about quitting yet. The almost 42-year-old Helmonder has a clear goal. After seven world kickboxing titles, he wants to win the world boxing title at the World Boxing Federation on February 7, 2026. That title is still missing from his resume.
That fight will take place in the VEKA Sports Hall in Helmond. If Holzken wins, he hopes to be able to defend his world title in the Helmond Sport stadium.