At the end of November, Rico Verhoeven announced that he would retire as world kickboxing champion at Glory. He wanted to focus on new possibilities within martial arts. Now we know what that new challenge is. Verhoeven will compete for the world boxing title against the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday, May 23. Place of action: at the foot of the pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
A shock wave went through the martial arts world when Verhoeven announced in November that he would voluntarily give up his kickboxing world title. The King of Kickboxing was world champion for no fewer than 4,418 days, making him the longest reigning champion the sport has ever known.
It was unknown what kind of new challenge Verhoeven (36) was looking for. That came out on Friday evening. Verhoeven will box for the world heavyweight title with the WBC boxing association. The opponent is the reigning champion Oleksandr Usyk (39).
Best versus the best
“I was the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion for twelve years and achieved everything I wanted to achieve. But being at the top for so long did not take away my hunger, it actually made it stronger,” Verhoeven responds to his upcoming world title fight.
“I wasn’t looking for comfort, I started looking for the greatest challenge that could be found in another world. Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed against undisputed. The best against the best.”
Boxing is a different game
Opponent Usyk is also looking forward to the meeting with Verhoeven. “I really respect people who reach the top in their sport. Rico is one of them: a powerful athlete and a great champion,” says Usyk. “I respect his journey: he is truly the king of kickboxing. But this is boxing: a different game, with its own rules and its own kings. I am ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring.”
