Rico Verhoeven could be in line for another world title opportunity despite coming off his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in May.
The former long-reigning kickboxing champion entered the Usyk fight with only one previous professional boxing bout, but produced a far stronger performance than expected. Verhoeven was even slightly ahead on one judge’s scorecard after 10 rounds before being stopped in the 11th.
After that performance, Verhoeven entered the WBC heavyweight rankings at No. 8. Usyk has since vacated his belts, with Agit Kabayel upgraded from interim to full WBC heavyweight champion.
Kabayel’s manager, Spencer Brown, has now suggested Verhoeven as a possible voluntary defense, pointing to the Dutchman’s support and the possibility of staging the fight in Germany.
“Holland’s very close to Germany,” Brown said. “Verhoeven would bring massive support, and I think that would fill 50,000 in Germany.”
Kabayel won the interim title by stopping Zhilei Zhang in the sixth round in February 2025 and is coming off a third-round finish of Damian Knyba in Germany. A fight with Verhoeven would give the new WBC champion a high-profile first defense with major regional appeal.
Image Credit: BBC