Saudi boxing leader Turki Alalshikh floated a striking new matchup on social media Sunday morning, suggesting kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven could face unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk. Alalshikh posted a video of Verhoeven landing a knockout alongside the caption “I want to see him against Oleksandr Usyk,” generating immediate attention across combat sports circles.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven
The proposal represents a departure from recent reports linking Verhoeven to Anthony Joshua. Alalshikh, who serves as chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and has orchestrated major boxing events through Riyadh Season, has demonstrated willingness to pursue crossover spectacles that blend traditional boxing with fighters from other disciplines.
Verhoeven vacated his GLORY heavyweight championship in November after a 12-year reign that included 13 title defenses. The 36-year-old Dutch fighter holds a kickboxing record of 66-10 with 21 knockouts and has been ranked as the number one heavyweight kickboxer globally since 2014. His departure from GLORY, where he held the title for 4,220 days and compiled a 27-fight winning streak under the promotion’s banner, opened the door to opportunities in boxing or mixed martial arts.
The timing of Alalshikh’s post coincides with Verhoeven becoming a free agent and Usyk searching for his next opponent. The Ukrainian champion, who holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles, last fought in July when he knocked out Daniel Dubois to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. At 39, Usyk has expressed interest in facing Deontay Wilder, though recent reports suggest that matchup may not materialize with Wilder potentially fighting Derek Chisora instead.
Verhoeven has limited professional boxing experience, having competed in just one boxing match in 2014. However, his technical striking background and physical dimensions at 6’5″ and 262 pounds have drawn comparisons to successful kickboxing-to-boxing transitions. He has trained extensively with heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury, who reportedly helped refine Verhoeven’s jab into a more effective weapon.
Turki Alalshikh Proposes Rico Verhoeven Versus Oleksandr Usyk in Bold Crossover Pitch
Alalshikh has previously stated preferences for other Usyk opponents, particularly rising prospect Moses Itauma. The 20-year-old British fighter holds a 12-0 record with 10 knockouts and has been compared to a young Mike Tyson, though Usyk’s team has indicated Itauma lacks the experience necessary for a title shot.
The concept of kickboxing-to-boxing crossovers carries precedent in combat sports history, though results have varied. Francis Ngannou’s competitive performance against Tyson Fury in 2023 demonstrated that fighters from other disciplines could challenge elite boxers under the right circumstances. However, the technical demands of professional boxing at the championship level present significant obstacles for competitors without extensive ring experience.
Verhoeven’s team has not publicly responded to Alalshikh’s proposal. The Dutch fighter was expected to face Joshua in February or March as a warmup bout before Joshua’s anticipated showdown with Fury later in 2026. Whether Alalshikh’s Usyk suggestion represents a genuine attempt to redirect Verhoeven’s next opponent or functions as promotional positioning remains unclear.
Usyk’s immediate schedule remains uncertain. His team has indicated he could fight as many as five more times before retirement, with potential opponents including the winner of Joseph Parker versus Fabio Wardley, Andy Ruiz Jr., or Agit Kabayel if the Wilder matchup falls through. The unified champion has not publicly commented on facing Verhoeven.
Alalshikh’s influence in boxing has grown substantially since 2022, when he began organizing high-profile events that brought together fighters across promotional barriers. His willingness to fund major purses and facilitate negotiations that previously stalled has reshaped the sport’s competitive landscape.
