Kickboxing champion explains why boxing fans are unsuitable to rule Rico Verhoeven out in Oleksandr Usyk bout

On May 23, Rico Verhoeven will challenge Oleksandr Usyk in a fight many see as a mismatch.

Verhoeven turned down a greater offer to compete in MMA in favor of stepping within the ring with one of the best heavyweight boxer on the planet.

With just one skilled boxing bout to his name, many can be quick to put in writing off the kickboxing legend’s probabilities of pulling off a large upset.

Nevertheless, it isn’t just Verhoeven’s friend Tom Aspinall who thinks that the Dutch striker may not be getting the respect he deserves.

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Donovan Wisse highlights Rico Verhoeven’s physical attributes and mentality ahead of Oleksandr Usyk bout

Rico Verhoeven ended his legendary GLORY heavyweight title run last 12 months when he decided to vacate the belt after going undefeated for 11 years.

In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, the promotion’s middleweight champion, Donovan Wisse, explained why he believes his fellow kickboxer will surprise people on May 23.

Wisse, who has put together his own dominant title reign ahead of his return to face Chico Kwasi on April 25 at GLORY 107, praised Verhoeven for being an elite athlete.

“I feel he’s got the mentality. He’s got the work ethic. He’s got the footwork. He’s got the team, especially. I also think it was his dream to box… He’s got a reasonably good likelihood because I do know kickboxers train really hard only for five rounds and that’s because we’re kicking too. This is barely boxing, only hands, so if he takes that mentality into the boxing ring and a boxing training camp, he’s going to be a beast.”

Wisse also spoke about one other attribute that Verhoeven brings to the table on this fight that he can relate to.

It has been an extended time because the Dutch heavyweight last tasted defeat and that may give him the boldness of a champion.

Wisse specifically highlighted, as one example, Verhoeven’s remarkable comeback to stop Jamal Ben Saddik in 2021 after being dropped and suffering an enormous cut within the second round.

“He knows what winning is because he can dig deep and he has proven it time and time again,” Wisse said. “When he was busted up within the kickboxing ring, he knocked Ben Saddik out within the fourth round. Rico is a dangerous guy… I feel he’s going to surprise everyone.”