Everyone is busy giving Usyk a lot of crap for his performance but let’s give major props to Rico for actually fighting his heart out. Rico is an ATG kickboxer who was fighting an ATG boxer in a boxing match where everything was stacked against him. This was his second pro boxing fight and he over exceeded expectations. Instead of just laying down for a paycheck he held his own very well, didn’t follow the script of being used as a punching bag to make Usyk look good and instead made a very good account of himself and won the majority of the rounds. He did what 99% of fighters couldn’t do to Usyk. In a fight where kickboxers usually fight 3-5 rounds tops he somehow managed to make it to the 11th round. Despite the very controversial stoppage Rico earned himself some new fans. And perhaps a newfound appreciation for kickboxers as well. Huge respect to him and his admirable performance. What a fighter.
Rico is the baddest man on the planet. Dominated the sport of kickboxing for over a decade, dominated Tom Aspinall in sparring, and now gave boxing’s GOAT Usyk a real run for his money- in boxing. A 6’5 260lb Chad with the body of a Greek God, the face of a model and the heart of an angel. Rico Verhoeven, what a man!
To people who don’t follow kickboxing or Muay Thai did Rico’s performance convince you enough to check out kickboxing / Muay Thai fights? Those guys deserve more love and appreciation from boxing fans.
