Rico Verhoeven is nearly universally acknowledged as the highest pound-for-pound kickboxer on the planet however he would love so as to add to his accolades with a crossover combat towards a former UFC champion.
Following Francis Ngannou’s dominant win over Renan Ferreira in his PFL debut, there have been instantly questions on who he would possibly combat subsequent and what sport would curiosity him most. Whereas MMA has been Ngannou’s major focus, his ardour for boxing led to a pair of fights towards Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua and he’s already said that he desires to return to that sport sooner or later.
It could be powerful to think about Ngannou getting one other high ranked boxer with an 0-2 document so far however Verhoeven believes he can be the proper opponent to welcome “The Predator” again to the ring.
“one hundred pc, I believe it positively sparks the curiosity for me but in addition the followers,” Verhoeven informed MMA Preventing in regards to the potential combat towards Ngannou. “As a result of it’s so, so completely different. We’re each standup fight sports activities champions and probably the most full. He’s an MMA fighter, I’m a kickboxer and yeah, we each know learn how to use our arms and our toes. So how cool wouldn’t it be to get these phrases collectively?
“As a substitute of simply the boxers or simply an MMA fighter going into boxing. No let’s get an MMA fighter towards a kickboxer and we will do this in numerous weight courses. However particularly within the heavyweight division, that’s what everyone desires to see. It’s probably the most entertaining as effectively.”
On Saturday, Verhoeven has his personal take a look at awaiting him as he faces Levi Rigters in a rematch from the GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix finals that befell earlier this 12 months. That combat got here on the finish of a one-day match with Verhoeven in the end scoring 4 knockdowns to earn the victory however Rigters positively had his moments, which included a spinning again fist that just about ended the combat.
But when Verhoeven retains successful with an undefeated run that dates again practically a decade, he seems like a boxing match towards Ngannou would make plenty of sense. A lot sense that he’s already heard there’s curiosity from a promoter with the cash to make that combat truly occur.
“The talks have been there,” Verhoeven confirmed. “We’ve been speaking to [Saudi Arabia] for various fights. It was enjoyable that Francis got here out of the hat however we have been already in talks earlier than that. So I’m excited for regardless of the future holds. I’m open to every kind of enjoyable.”
So far as making the transfer from kickboxing to boxing, Verhoeven has no hesitation in terms of switching sports activities as a result of he is aware of it’s a better transfer for him than Ngannou had coming from MMA.
In reality, Verhoeven routinely trains with Tyson Fury’s uncle, who was as soon as his major coach when he first rose to fame as among the finest heavyweights in boxing.
“For me, the transition isn’t even a transition,” Verhoeven stated. “I’ve been boxing for therefore a few years already. Coaching with Peter Fury for years and years. He’s been my boxing coach for years and years. It’s second nature. I’m prepared. I’m prepared for no matter.
“First in fact, we’ve acquired the seventh of December on the menu after which let’s see the place we go. No matter comes our means after that.”
Making a giant bag of cash in boxing is certainly engaging and the prospect to face a former UFC champion provides just a few further sprinkles on high of the sundae however Verhoeven admits the combat would additionally serve one other goal for him personally.
Regardless of being acknowledged as one of many biggest kickboxers of all time, Verhoeven hardly ever will get talked about alongside lots of his contemporaries from the game of boxing or MMA in terms of the most effective heavyweights on the earth.
Ngannou can definitely make a robust declare after he left the UFC as heavyweight champion with many believing he’s nonetheless the most effective within the sport no matter promotion. In boxing, Oleksandr Usyk stands atop the mountain after he beat Fury with a rematch between them scheduled in December.
Verhoeven believes he ought to completely be talked about alongside these fighters and taking out any individual like Ngannou would possibly assist him get the popularity he deserves.
“Francis is a giant identify however I’m a giant identify, too. I’ve been dominating the game for over a decade that no person has executed,” Verhoeven stated.
“Why is my identify not there? As a result of the game of kickboxing isn’t as huge as a platform as boxing and MMA. So I believe that’s the one distinction. However high quality smart, preventing smart, I’m on the identical stage or higher. For those who’re open to check it, let’s take a look at it. I’m right here. Present me what you bought.”
