Rico Verhoeven, the former Glory heavyweight champion, said at a press conference for his upcoming fight with Oleksandr Usyk that he plans to knock out the Ukrainian.
The talk around Rico Verhoeven vs. Oleksandr Usyk picked up this week at a press conference for their upcoming bout, where Verhoeven made it clear he believes his size and natural heavyweight frame will be the difference. The Dutch kickboxing star said he expects to stop Usyk once he lands his best shot, adding another layer of intrigue to a matchup that already feels bigger than a standard crossover fight.
Verhoeven’s argument is simple: he says he will enter with roughly a 50-to-55-pound weight advantage, while Usyk built his name as a former cruiserweight before moving up. That contrast is the central selling point of the event. In combat sports, American fans have always been drawn to size-versus-skill matchups, and this one fits that template perfectly — the decorated, naturally larger striker against one of boxing’s most polished technicians.
The stakes go beyond pre-fight trash talk. If Verhoeven can make his power matter against an elite name like Usyk, it would be a major statement for his credibility in a hands-only setting and could open the door to more crossover opportunities. If Usyk handles the physical disparity and neutralizes the heavier man, it only strengthens his reputation as one of the most adaptable heavyweights of this era.
Verhoeven also acknowledged the adjustment in rules, noting that kickboxing usually allows him to do much more with his legs, while this matchup gives him a chance to focus more heavily on his hands. That detail matters, because it cuts to the real question of the fight: can his stand-up power translate cleanly enough against an opponent whose movement, timing, and ring IQ have troubled bigger men before?
Now the spotlight shifts from the podium to the gym, and the next thing to watch is whether Verhoeven’s size becomes a real weapon once the bell rings — or just another problem Usyk solves.
