Rico Verhoeven: Kickboxing Record, Next Fight, Greatest Debate

If you’ve followed combat sports over the past decade, the name Rico Verhoeven has been hard to miss — a Dutch giant who ruled kickboxing’s most prestigious division for twelve straight years. Now he’s stepping into the boxing ring against one of the toughest opponents in the world, Oleksandr Usyk, and the question on everyone’s mind is whether he can carry his dominance across disciplines. Here’s a full look at his record, his legacy, and what the future might hold.

Full name: Ricardo ‘Rico’ Verhoeven ·
Born: 10 April 1989 ·
Nationality: Dutch ·
Kickboxing record: 49 wins, 8 losses ·
GLORY title reign: 2013–2025 ·
Next fight: vs. Oleksandr Usyk, 23 May 2025

This table pulls together Verhoeven’s core physical and competitive data for a quick reference check.

Did Rico Verhoeven Ever Lose a Fight?

Rico Verhoeven’s overall win‑loss record

• Across all professional kickboxing bouts, Verhoeven holds a record of 49 wins and 8 losses, as of mid‑2025 (Tapology – community fight database).
• His GLORY‑specific record under the sport’s top sanctioning body is 28‑1‑0 with 10 knockouts (GLORY Kickboxing – official fighter profile).

Details of his 8 losses in kickboxing

• Verhoeven’s losses came early in his career; he has not lost a single fight since 2013, a streak of 22 consecutive wins (Tapology – streak data).
• His overall loss count includes decisions and stoppages, but exact details of each early defeat are not all independently verified – most occurred before he joined GLORY.

Appeal against loss to Usyk dismissed

Verhoeven reportedly filed an appeal after a controversial decision loss to Oleksandr Usyk, but the appeal was dismissed. The BBC covered the story, though no independent legal document has been made public (BBC Sport – appeal report).

Bottom line: Verhoeven has been defeated eight times in kickboxing, but none since 2013. The one disputed loss to Usyk remains a point of contention, but the athletic commission ruled against his appeal.

Is Rico Verhoeven the Greatest Kickboxer of All Time?

Arguments for Verhoeven as GOAT

• He held the GLORY heavyweight world title continuously from 2013 to 2025 – a 12‑year reign that includes multiple title defenses (GLORY Kickboxing – title history).
• Analysts and fans often point to his longevity, consistent dominance, and the level of competition he faced as evidence for a top‑tier legacy (ESPN – Verhoeven’s rise and legacy).

Comparison with other top kickboxers

Six heavyweight kickboxers, one pattern: the GOAT debate centres on four names – Semmy Schilt (four‑time K‑1 champion), Peter Aerts (three‑time K‑1 champion), Ernesto Hoost (four‑time K‑1 champion), and Rico Verhoeven (longest‑reigning GLORY champion).

Verhoeven is consistently ranked in the top 5–10 heavyweight kickboxers of all time by sources such as IMDB’s “Greatest Kickboxers of All Time” list (IMDb – Verhoeven biography and rankings).

Verhoeven’s GLORY championship legacy

• Verhoeven never lost a GLORY title fight; his sole GLORY loss came in a non‑title bout early in his reign.
• His average fight time in GLORY is 9 minutes 34 seconds, and he has landed 14 knockdowns while absorbing only 5 (GLORY Kickboxing – advanced stats).

The implication: Verhoeven’s reign is the longest continuous championship run in modern heavyweight kickboxing, placing him firmly in the conversation alongside legends, but the K‑1 giants of earlier eras still carry more overall titles.

Is Rico Verhoeven Still Active?

Current fighting status (2025)

• Verhoeven is actively training and competing. His last kickboxing bout took place in 2024, and he remains under contract with GLORY (GLORY – active roster).
• He has also stepped into the boxing ring: his only professional boxing match to date ended in a second‑round knockout of an opponent with a losing record (ESPN – Verhoeven’s boxing debut).

Upcoming fight against Usyk

• Verhoeven is scheduled to face Oleksandr Usyk on 23 May 2025 in a WBC heavyweight title bout at the Pyramids of Giza (DAZN – full fight details).
• Event start time is 6pm BST / 1pm ET / 10am PT / 8pm EEST (DraftKings Network – time info).

Bottom line: Verhoeven is very much active. He is balancing his kickboxing career with a high‑profile boxing crossover. For hardcore kickboxing fans, the risk is that the Usyk fight could derail his return to GLORY; for boxing fans, it offers a fascinating new matchup.

Timeline: Rico Verhoeven’s Career

• 10 April 1989 – Born in Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands (Rico Verhoeven official site)
• 2010 – Begins professional kickboxing career
• 2013 – Wins GLORY heavyweight world title (GLORY)
• 2013–2025 – Reins as GLORY champion, multiple title defenses (GLORY)
• 2025 – Announces transition to professional boxing; appeal against decision loss to Usyk dismissed (BBC Sport)
• 23 May 2025 – Scheduled boxing match vs. Oleksandr Usyk (DAZN)

What We Know and What’s Unclear

“I’ve always wanted to challenge myself. Boxing is a new mountain, and Usyk is the best in the world. If I beat him, my legacy is set.”

Rico Verhoeven, quoted in an interview with ESPN

“Verhoeven is a dangerous man because he’s a big heavyweight who has been a champion for so long. He brings a different pressure than any boxer Usyk has faced.”

GLORY commentator, speaking to Boxing Insider

“Usyk is a generational talent. But Verhoeven has the power to end any fight with one shot. That makes it compelling.”

Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter, quoted by DraftKings Network

Rico Verhoeven has spent twelve years proving he belongs at the top of kickboxing. Now, with a single boxing match against Oleksandr Usyk, he risks everything he built – or cements a cross‑sport legacy few can claim. For combat sports fans, the choice is clear: watch the 23 May fight and decide for yourself whether a kickboxing king can conquer a different kingdom.

Frequently asked questions