Rico Verhoeven defeated kickboxer Hesdy Gerges at his own event in Rotterdam Ahoy. The two competed for the win in six rounds. In the end, Verhoeven won by technical knockout and recorded his sixteenth victory in a row.
Although Gerges initially managed to hold his own, Verhoeven dominated after two rounds. In the third lap he increased the pressure and knocked Gerges to the ground for a count of eight.
The kickboxer from Bergen op Zoom fought Hesdy Gerges for the fourth time in his career on Saturday. He won all three previous matches. Verhoeven was in the ring for the last time last October. In the Geldredome he was beaten black and blue by Jamal Ben Saddik, but he eventually settled with him.
For Hesdy Gerges it was the last game. He is retiring and said he was proud to play his last match against the best kickboxer of the moment.