Rico Verhoeven could be set to face Alistair Overeem after Oleksandr Usyk has seemingly moved on from a potential rematch.
Kickboxing legend Verhoeven made an immediate impact in just his second professional boxing fight when he took on unified heavyweight champion Usyk at the Pyramids of Giza in May.
And the Dutchman came ever so close to securing one of the greatest upsets in history, but fell to a controversial penultimate-round defeat.
Immediately after the contest, Verhoeven pleaded his case for a quickfire sequel and a chance to get revenge.
But Usyk vacated his heavyweight titles and has since looked to move elsewhere, with talks now being held over a showdown with Deontay Wilder under the Zuffa Boxing banner.
With the Ukrainian moving on, Verhoeven now has his eyes on alternative options, including ventures in MMA.
And his next fight could be against long-time rival and former UFC heavyweight title challenger Overeem.
Verhoeven was meant to collide with Overeem at the Glory kickboxing promotion in 2021, but the latter pulled out due to injury.
Speaking on Playbook Boxing, Overeem, who has toyed with the idea of returning to competition — in boxing, not MMA — was asked about potential future opponents.
Overeem: Verhoeven fight could definitely happen
“I was supposed to fight Rico on two occasions,” Overeem explained, while also mentioning getting one back on Francis Ngannou, who knocked him out in 2017.
“There was a lot of media hype behind that fight, a lot of tension, the fight of the Netherlands because we’re both from there.
“So I could see [the Verhoeven] fight happening, definitely.”
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He later added: “I think you could say we are looking to make a comeback into boxing.”
Reports have suggested that the fight could land in a stadium, notably the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.
Both Overeem and Verhoeven have proudly represented the Netherlands throughout their illustrious fighting careers.
Overeem’s management, Blackbook PR, has also shared suggestions that the pair could fight in boxing, as part of a mixed-rules trilogy.
Neither camp has yet to confirm the talks, but it would be a huge bout between two big Dutch names.
Verhoeven leaning towards boxing return
As for Verhoeven, he has already said he is leaning towards a fight in boxing next, rather than MMA.
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Verhoeven was previously offered to fight Ngannou on Netflix earlier this year before he opted to box Usyk.
The 37-year-old was also in talks for a boxing match against Anthony Joshua, who then received a lucrative offer to take on Jake Paul, which he accepted without hesitation.
Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience this week about offers he’s received since his incredible outing against Usyk, Verhoeven laid out what could come next.
“I’m keeping my options open, but [I’m leaning towards boxing],” he said.
“I’ve been in the boxing game now and I’ve enjoyed it so much. I came from kickboxing, from being six years old and doing it for over 30 years.
“And then now getting really into boxing, I was always boxing, but I was boxing to kickbox.
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“It’s a totally different game. I had to rewire everything that was in there.
“So now that I did it and I performed the way that I performed, I was like, ‘Yeah, this was fun.'”
Verhoeven has sparred with Tyson Fury several times and his main trainer is ‘The Gypsy King’s’ uncle Peter Fury, who Verhoeven says is the very best in the sweet science.
A boxing clash with Overeem could be next, but Verhoeven will no doubt keep on pushing for the Usyk rematch.
