Dutch kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven has his biggest career challenge when he faces the current IBF, WBA and WBC heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk at the Pyramids of Giza on March 23 in a contest where most give him no chance. However, for the first time in a long time, he is enjoying not feeling the pressure.
“I’ve been on the biggest stages for as long as I can remember,” Verhoeven said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “Selling out arenas, fighting in front of thousands of fans inside the arena and with millions watching at home. So within that, I’m used to the pressure of fighting. And I think the cool thing is, for now, that being the guy with a target on his back for the last decade, now the target is on somebody else’s back. So that’s a good feeling, so I love to come in as the underdog. I don’t mind that.”
Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO) will make his return to the boxing ring 12 years on from his boxing debut against the little-known 0-5 Janos Finfera when he challenges Usyk for the WBC title. Usyk’s reputation precedes him. The Olympic gold medalist and three-time undisputed champion is a 1/16 favorite according to Oddschecker, with Verhoeven being a 14/1 underdog.
The 36-year-old does hold a considerable height and weight advantage over the reigning heavyweight king, which pushes you to believe he could be looking for that one big punch that to hand Usyk his first career defeat. On the contrary, Verhoeven will instead be looking to go the 12-round distance instead.
Verhoeven explained to Inside The Ring: “I think the best victory I could possibly get is to win within 12 rounds and get the unanimous decision, because then Oleksandr Usyk tried everything for 12 rounds, and he’s like, ‘I tried it, but it just didn’t work.’ Not just a lucky punch, ‘Oh, I knocked him out. Yes. Oh, that was so good,’ and maybe I got lucky. No, we did everything and we left everything on the table.”
Verhoeven’s kickboxing career will go down in history, but his boxing résumé leaves a lot to be desired, with just a solitary bout and severely limited opposition recorded. However, the Dutchman insists he has extensive experience against some of the best.
“Believe me, I’ve been in there with the very best,” Verhoeven added. “I’ve sparred with everybody. I’ve sparred with [Agit] Kabayel, I’ve sparred with Dillian Whyte, I’ve sparred with Tyson Fury. I’ve been around the block. I’m used to keeping my feet on the ground.”
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