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Rico Verhoeven, hailed as the king of kickboxing, is setting his sights on an electrifying crossover with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Known for his dominance in the ring, Verhoeven is eager to step into the boxing world and face “The Predator,” a matchup that promises to captivate fans of combat sports.
Ngannou recently showcased his prowess in the PFL with a commanding victory over Renan Ferreira, sparking speculation about his next move. While his MMA roots run deep, Ngannou's passion for boxing has seen him step into the ring against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, albeit with a 0-2 record. Despite the losses, Ngannou's ambition to continue boxing remains unwavering.
Verhoeven believes he is the perfect adversary to welcome Ngannou back to the squared circle.
“It’s a fight that sparks interest—not just for me, but for the fans,” Verhoeven shared. “We’re both champions in our respective standup combat sports. How exciting would it be to pit an MMA fighter against a kickboxer in the boxing ring? Especially in the heavyweight division, where the action is most thrilling.”
While Ngannou’s transition from MMA to boxing is still evolving, Verhoeven feels more than ready for the challenge.
“For me, the transition isn’t even a transition,” he revealed. “I’ve been training in boxing for years under Peter Fury, and it’s second nature to me. I’m prepared for whatever comes next.”
Verhoeven’s confidence is backed by his decade-long reign in kickboxing, a feat that has earned him a legendary status. However, he admits that kickboxing’s global reach lags behind MMA and boxing, which might explain why his name isn’t always mentioned alongside Ngannou, Tyson Fury, or Oleksandr Usyk.
“Why is my name not there? I’ve dominated my sport like no one else,” Verhoeven stated. “If anyone wants to test my skills, I’m here. Show me what you’ve got.”
As he prepares for his rematch against Levi Rigters on December 7th, Verhoeven is already envisioning the potential clash with Ngannou. Talks with promoters in Saudi Arabia have fueled excitement about this dream matchup.
“The discussions have been ongoing, even before Ngannou’s name came up,” Verhoeven confirmed. “I’m open to all kinds of exciting opportunities.”
Beyond the financial incentives of boxing, Verhoeven sees the fight as a way to cement his legacy and earn the global recognition he deserves. A victory over Ngannou would undoubtedly elevate his status in the combat sports hierarchy.
“Francis is a big name, but so am I,” Verhoeven asserted. “This fight isn’t just about making money—it’s about proving my place among the best heavyweights in the world.”
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