Rico Verhoeven Prepares for Fight with Oleksandr Usyk: New Tactics and Ambitions

Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, known for his remarkable achievements in the kickboxing arena, has shared insights into his preparation for the highly anticipated showdown with Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles. The fight is set to take place on May 23, 2026, in Giza, Egypt, and is expected to be one of the standout sporting events of the year.

Verhoeven, who boasts an impressive record in kickboxing, noted that his training regimen for this bout involves significant tactical changes. He is transitioning from kickboxing to boxing, which he described as a monumental challenge. 'I’m training like crazy. I’m really putting in a lot of work because this is a huge transition. We are moving from kickboxing to boxing. From five championship rounds to twelve. So this transition is indeed incredible. It’s very extensive,' the athlete explained.

Moreover, Verhoeven emphasized that this process is not only physical but also psychological. 'For me right now, doing this and diving even deeper than before feels like fully immersing myself in something new. I now feel even more that boxing is a true art form. Usually, everything is very quick: five rounds—bang-bang—and it’s over. But here, with twelve rounds, you have all that time to paint your masterpiece,' he added.

In addition, the kickboxer expressed confidence in his abilities, stating that he is ready to knock Usyk down if he can land a hit. 'I really hope so because if I touch him, he will fall. But let’s hope we go through all twelve rounds and just enjoy it,' Verhoeven remarked, as reported by DAZN Boxing.

It is noteworthy that Rico Verhoeven is regarded as one of the greatest kickboxers of all time. He held the Glory heavyweight world champion title for over 11 years, achieving numerous records, including the most wins in title fights (14) and the highest number of overall victories (28) in this promotion.

Verhoeven made his boxing debut in 2014, knocking out Hungarian fighter Janos Finfer in the second round. Following that, he continued his career in kickboxing, where he gained significant popularity and recognition.

It is worth mentioning that last year, Oleksandr Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time, knocking out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round. However, Usyk later relinquished the WBO title, which raises the stakes for the upcoming bout with Verhoeven.

This match promises to be not only a sporting event but also a cultural phenomenon, as both fighters have massive fan bases, and their meeting has generated considerable interest among boxing and kickboxing enthusiasts.