Would Anthony Joshua knock out Rico Verhoeven?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Knight Falls, Sep 7, 2026 at 9:06 AM.

?

AJ vs Rico who wins?

  1. Rico Verhoeven

    14 vote(s)
    48.3%

  2. Anthony Joshua

    15 vote(s)
    51.7%
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  1. Knight Falls

    Knight Falls New Member Full Member

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    AJ is heavier than Usyk and hits harder, could he KO Rico if they fight?

    Rico Verhoeven vs Anthony Joshua, who wins?
     
    Knight Falls, Sep 7, 2026 at 9:06 AM
    #1
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  2. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    I believe he would but it's hard to know if AJ has anything left at this point.

    Converted kickboxers do better against boxers than punchers.
     
    catchwtboxing, Sep 7, 2026 at 9:22 AM
    #2
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  3. Ioakeim Tzortzakis

    Ioakeim Tzortzakis "The David Haye of Loma's Gay" -Edgar Allan Poe Full Member

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    Not at this point.
     
    Ioakeim Tzortzakis, Sep 7, 2026 at 9:34 AM
    #3
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  4. The Professor

    The Professor Socialist Ring Leader Staff Member

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    Yeah he'd destroy that poser
     
    The Professor, Sep 7, 2026 at 9:43 AM
    #4
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  5. Philosopher

    Philosopher Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He definitely could, but would? At this point with this trigger happy, foolhardy AJ it would be dependent on who lands first...and I don't think Rico is a massive puncher...but I don't think it matter now. If Rico clipped him and unloaded he might stop a shell shocked AJ on his feet...or AJ fires back and single shots the big Dutch fella...

    My money would be on AJ here...but not much of it....
     
    Philosopher, Sep 7, 2026 at 9:47 AM
    #5
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  6. PopPellegrino

    PopPellegrino Active Member Full Member

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    Joshua would win by KO.
     
    PopPellegrino, Sep 7, 2026 at 9:53 AM
    #6
  7. slash

    slash Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Maybe.. if he doesn't get KOed first.
     
    slash, Sep 7, 2026 at 9:56 AM
    #7
  8. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Always a possibility that AJ just poleaxes him. But, I will say, Rico looked damn good against Usyk; AJ looked terrible, and was only bailed out by his power, against Prenga. Entirely possible Rico avoids gettin hit, boxes AJ's face off, and KO's AJ who seems to have no chin anymore.
     
    Barrf, Sep 7, 2026 at 11:12 AM
    #8
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  9. KO KIDD

    KO KIDD Loyal Member Full Member

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    I was impressed with Rico and Joshua had a real scare last time out

    I do think Usyk hurt Rico every time he opened up. In round 4 he rocked Rico but ran out of gas. Then in the 11th he went for it again and dropped him.

    I think if Joshua is sturdy, he as the bigger puncher should get Rico out of there. I also don't like the idea of Rico coming in with that crouching lean forward approach as it is a target for Joshua's uppercut.
     
    KO KIDD, Sep 7, 2026 at 11:39 AM
    #9
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  10. TowelThrower

    TowelThrower Y'all must've forgot Full Member

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    I don’t think that style gives Joshua the same issues it gave Usyk but Fury is an intelligent trainer and would come up with a different approach.
     
    TowelThrower, Sep 7, 2026 at 11:50 AM
    #10
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  11. LoveThis

    LoveThis Sweet Science Full Member

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    I still think it is ridiculous that kickboxers get their first actual fight against the dominant champions, while three waiting challengers have to wait some more...

    Something like Joshua - verhoeven should have been the fight instead of usyk.
     
    LoveThis, Sep 7, 2026 at 12:04 PM
    #11
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  12. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    Right now I think Rico sweeps him up. In his prime, yeah, sure, why not? AJ is a top tier puncher.
     
    BCS8, Sep 7, 2026 at 1:09 PM
    #12
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  13. BubblesUK

    BubblesUK Doesn't buy hypejobs Full Member

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    The AJ that poleaxed Ngannou would do the same to Rico...

    But does he even have that much left anymore?? I really don't know.
     
    BubblesUK, Sep 7, 2026 at 1:13 PM
    #13
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  14. Ice8Cold

    Ice8Cold The Hype Job Spotter. Full Member

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    As many has said. it would be a similar outcome against Ngannou.

    Rico's style is tailor made for AJ.
     
    Ice8Cold, Sep 7, 2026 at 1:20 PM
    #14
  15. turbotime

    turbotime Hall Of Famer Full Member

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    Not anymore no. Rico was excellent at smothering and AJ is just too fragile now.
     
    turbotime, Sep 7, 2026 at 4:55 PM
    #15
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