Peter Fury has provided an update on Rico Verhoeven and when he may return to the ring for his third professional outing.
Fury has been a mainstay in Verhoeven’s team throughout his kickboxing and boxing career as he switches fully to boxing under Queensberry Rules.
‘The King of Kickboxing’ had just one professional boxing fight prior to his second in May and was seen as a relatively unknown entity in the art of pugilism, despite dominating the kickboxing space for so many years.
He was GLORY heavyweight world champion for around 12 years, making 13 successful title defences. In many people’s eyes, Verhoeven is the greatest kickboxer to participate in the sport.
His sole boxing fight came in 2014 against Janos Finfera, whom he stopped in the second round.
Twelve years later, he would take on two-time undisputed heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk and surprise many.
He pushed the champion to the very edge, with two of the judges seeing it even and one having Verhoeven up 96-94 going into the final 11th round.
With one second left, Usyk managed to pull out what was a crucial stoppage, but it was Verhoeven who impressed in front of the historic pyramids.
Fury spoke to Boxing Now regarding what Verhoeven has been up to following the memorable night in Giza.
“Rico is having a good rest at the moment. He is just seeing what the options are; he has plenty of options there.
“I don’t get involved on the business side of it. Obviously, they keep me updated and ask my opinion because we are one team, but nothing is on the horizon for anyone at the moment.
“Rico can go any which way, nothing has been decided.”
After the fight, it was announced that he had earned a ranking with the WBC, who placed him at number eight. He is also ranked 15th by the WBA.
“He is in a good place, he is happy. Let’s not forget that was his second pro fight and he’s got himself up to number eight in the pro rankings. He is a threat for any serious heavyweight out there.
“I want to commend what Rico has done. It is going to continue and I look forward to the next one.”
One fight that has been rumoured as a possibility for Verhoeven is one with his long-time rival Alistair Overeem, who seems well up for the contest.
The pair have gone back and forth over the years yet have never shared the ring. They were originally set to face off in kickboxing, with the fight officially booked in 2021.
Overeem had left the UFC for GLORY and a date was set for the pair — October 23, 2021. The fight would collapse, however, with Overeem picking up an injury which was later described as a persistent back problem.
The following year, they would clash once again after Overeem beat Rico’s rival Badr Hari on points. He called out Verhoeven, who was ringside, and the pair went face-to-face in the ring.
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Fury gave a short but informative verdict on rumours that a fight with Overeem had been sealed.
“There are options but nothing is concrete.”
