Rico Verhoeven 'closes chapter' in career ahead of Oleksandr Usyk test

Verhoeven will challenge for Usyk's WBC heavyweight title in front of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, and it's a fight where the former is a huge underdog and will have to produce one of the biggest upsets in boxing. 

The Dutchman has earned legendary status in kickboxing; he is GLORY's longest reigning heavyweight champion and has defended the title a record 13 times. 

'Kickboxing is closed chapter in my life'

For Verhoeven, the upcoming boxing encounter with Usyk will not be a one-off despite it being just his second professional bout. 

In an interview with DAZN's Ade Oladipo, Verhoeven confirmed that kickboxing will no longer be his focus and is instead ready for his "biggest challenge". 

"Kickboxing is a closed chapter in my life. I’m not looking too much past Oleksandr Usyk," Verhoeven said.

"This is the biggest challenge."

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Rico on why he will shock the world and beat Usyk

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Usyk is a generational great and is expected to deal easily with Verhoeven, prompting some criticism about why this crossover fight is taking place. 

Verhoeven had been linked to a fight with British superstar Anthony Joshua, but to him, this meeting with Usyk makes sense, with it pitting the best of kickboxing against a boxing legend. 

"For me to be honest it makes sense. The other fights also made sense because they were also considered to be big crossover events. 

"We have Oleksandr Usyk, who has been dominating the sport for such a long time, from cruiserweight, now at heavyweight. He’s beating not once, but twice. 

"Undisputed vs. undisputed, two different worlds colliding, wow, it’s a crazy movie script."

If Verhoeven manages to give a good account of himself regardless of the result against Usyk, then he will likely land some big boxing bouts in the future, which would firmly bring the curtain down on his kickboxing career.

Watch Usyk vs. Verhoeven only on DAZN

Oleksandr Usyk puts his unbeaten record on the line against Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23, in front of the Egyptian pyramids, live and exclusive on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Zayas vs. Ennis (June 27) PPV, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.

For more information, pricing and to buy, click here.