‘The King of Kickboxing’ Rico Verhoeven names Badr Hari as his hardest struggle however Levi Rigters is correct behind. His journey to turning into a Glory champion has been marked by grueling battles that examined his resilience. As he prepares to defend his title in opposition to Rigters at Glory Collision 7, Verhoeven displays on the hardest fights of his illustrious profession, in an interview with Giovanni Tjin.
Rico Verhoeven’s Hardest Fights
1. Badr Hari
Rico Verhoeven has confronted quite a few elite fighters, however he ranks his bouts with Badr Hari on the high of his hardest challenges. Hari, a kickboxing legend, has distinctive struggle IQ and unimaginable energy. The Moroccan-Dutch athlete pushed Verhoeven to his limits. Their intense rivalry, Verhoeven’s sturdiness, and his means to adapt underneath strain.
“Badr is harmful in so some ways,” Verhoeven famous in a latest interview. “His means to adapt throughout a struggle makes him unpredictable. These fights taught me so much about staying centered and composed it doesn’t matter what.”
2. Levi Rigters
Levi Rigters, Rico Verhoeven’s opponent for Saturday’s title struggle, is one other title on his checklist of difficult opponents. Their earlier encounter earlier this 12 months in Glory’s eight-man match confirmed Rigters’ expertise. Rigters’ spinning again fist despatched Verhoeven to the canvas—a uncommon sight for the reigning champion.
“I received that struggle, however I made a giant mistake,” Verhoeven admitted. “That again fist landed as a result of I let my guard down. It was a humbling second, however one I’ve realized from.” Regardless of the setback, Verhoeven rebounded, securing victory through knockout and taking house the $500,000 prize.
3. Jamal Ben Saddik and Tariq Osaro
Within the heavyweight division, measurement and energy typically dominate, and Verhoeven has confronted no scarcity of bodily imposing opponents. Amongst them are Jamal Ben Saddik and Tariq “Cookie” Osaro, whom Verhoeven locations in the identical class of challenges.
“They’re each massive and extremely sturdy,” Verhoeven defined. “It’s important to be tactical when going through guys like that. It’s not nearly matching their energy however outsmarting them.”
As he steps into the ring in opposition to Rigters as soon as once more, Rico Verhoeven goals to showcase the teachings realized from his storied profession. The much-anticipated Glory Collision 7 title struggle between Verhoeven and Rigters takes place on December 7 on the Gelredome. Followers eagerly await to see if Verhoeven’s introspection and preparation will cement his legacy or if Rigters will mark the daybreak of a brand new period in kickboxing.
