Saudi boxing leader Turki Alalshikh published a striking new match on social media on Sunday morning, suggesting kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven could take on unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk. Alalshikh posted a video of Verhoeven landing a knockout alongside the caption “I want to see him against Oleksandr Usyk,” which drew immediate attention in the combat sports community. circles.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven
The proposal differs from recent reports linking Verhoeven with Anthony Joshua. Alalshikh, who is chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia and has orchestrated major boxing events during the Riyadh season, has shown his willingness to pursue crossover spectacles that combine traditional boxing with fighters from other disciplines.
Verhoeven vacated his GLORY heavyweight championship in November after a 12-year reign that included 13 title defenses. The 36-year-old Dutch fighter has a kickboxing record of 66-10 with 21 knockouts and has been ranked as the number one heavyweight kickboxer worldwide since 2014. His departure from GLORY, where he held the title for 4,220 days and posted a 27-fight winning streak under the promotion’s banner, opened the door to opportunities in boxing or mixed martial arts.
Verhoeven has limited professional boxing experience, having competed in only one boxing match in 2014. However, his technical standout background and physical dimensions of 6-foot-1 and 262 pounds have drawn comparisons to successful transitions from kickboxing to boxing. He has trained extensively with heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury, who is credited with helping refine Verhoeven’s jab into a more effective weapon.
Turki Alalshikh introduces Rico Verhoeven against Oleksandr Usyk in daring crossover pitch
Alalshikh has previously expressed his preference for other Usyk opponents, most notably rising Moses Itauma. The 20-year-old British fighter has a record of 12-0 with 10 knockouts and has been compared to a young Mike Tyson, although Usyk’s team has indicated that Itauma does not have the experience needed for a title shot.
The concept of crossovers from kickboxing to boxing has precedent in combat sports history, although results vary. Francis Ngannou’s competitive performance against Tyson Fury in 2023 it turned out that fighters from other disciplines could challenge elite boxers under the right circumstances. However, the technical demands of championship-level professional boxing pose significant obstacles for competitors without extensive ring experience.
Van Verhoeven team has not publicly responded to Alalshikh’s proposal. The Dutch fighter was due to face Joshua in February or March as a warm-up fight before Joshua’s expected showdown with Fury later in 2026. Whether Alalshikh’s Usyk suggestion represents a genuine attempt to divert Verhoeven’s next opponent or acts as promotional positioning remains unclear.
Usyk’s immediate schedule remains uncertain. His team has indicated he could fight as many as five more times before his retirement, with potential opponents including the winner of Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley, Andy Ruiz Jr. or Agit Kabayel if the Wilder match does not happen. The unified champion has not publicly responded to his confrontation with Verhoeven.
Alalshikh’s influence in boxing has grown significantly since 2022, when he began organizing high-profile events that brought fighters together across promotional barriers. His willingness to finance large sums and facilitate previously stalled negotiations has reshaped the sport’s competitive landscape.
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