GloryRico Verhoeven 10 years ago after his victory over then world champion Daniel Ghita
NOS Sport•vandaag, 13:16
After years of hard training, Rico Verhoeven reached the absolute top in kickboxing on October 12, 2013. The then 24-year-old Brabander managed to defeat the Romanian Glory world heavyweight champion Daniel Ghita in Chicago.
His boyhood dream had come true, Verhoeven walked euphorically at the airport in the United States, back to the Netherlands. On board, Verhoeven fantasized about his new status. After his victory over the world champion he would be a celebrity. He was the man, the world was at his feet.
Upon arrival at Schiphol, he proudly walked into the arrivals hall after collecting his luggage. On to the many camera crews that were undoubtedly waiting for him.
Sobering return
Ten years after his sobering return to Schiphol, Verhoeven is preparing for the eleventh fight in which he will defend his world title. On November 4 he will compete against the young Amersfoorter Tariq Osaro.
“That was the moment when I realized that I had to do things differently, yes,” Verhoeven looks back on the empty arrival hall of ten years ago. His victory in Chicago had gone unnoticed in the Netherlands. The national media did not write a word about it. Verhoeven’s life had not changed.
Verhoeven: ‘Not only a kickboxer, but also a father who dresses children in princess dresses’
“I already had a very good kickboxing team around me then,” says Verhoeven. “But I had to media technology take a different approach. I have brought together the right people to grow in that area.”
With the help of his management, Verhoeven slowly but surely built his fame. “I had to show who Rico was next to the ring. They already saw the kickboxer. But the person behind the fighter is very different.”
Numerous TV appearances followed. And Verhoeven showed a different side of himself on social media. He was not just that almost 2 meter tall, 115 kilo muscle man who showed his opponents every corner of the ring.
“I’m also a father who draws pictures with his children. I take them to school and dress them in princess dresses.”
Ideal son-in-law
Thus the image of the kickboxing ideal son-in-law was born. Verhoeven kept winning. Yet it took until 2016 before he really became known and popular with the general public. Then he fought Badr Hari for the first time.
The Moroccan Amsterdammer was frequently in the news during that period with fights outside the ring.
2013: Verhoeven conquers his first world title in Chicago with a win over Ghita
Glory’s marketing department framed the battle as the ‘bad boy’ versus the ‘ideal son-in-law’. When Verhoeven, a neat father of three adorable children, won the fight, the sport of kickboxing was immediately embraced again by a large audience in the Netherlands.
Verhoeven has long since stopped complaining about a lack of attention. Partly thanks to his role in the action film ‘Black Lotus’, released in 2023, in which the kickboxer makes a trip to the silver screen.
When Glory organizes a press conference in Hilversum a month in advance, the room is full of journalists from all major Dutch media. Ticket sales are going fast. The Arnhem Gelredome is almost sold out a few weeks in advance. There are only a few tickets available for places in the most expensive segment (200 to 800 euros).
In June he will only be a champion for ten years
Although Rico Verhoeven finally established himself in the kickboxing world on October 12, 2013, he only later became champion of the kickboxing association Glory. On June 21, 2014, he defeated Ghita again, this time in a title fight.
Since then he has been continuously the best among the heavyweights. Verhoeven successfully defended his title ten times, a record within Glory.
“Ten years of champion was always my goal. But it only feels real when I beat Osaro in the Gelredome,” says Verhoeven himself.
Of course, Verhoeven does not only owe this popularity to a carefully constructed image. His decade-long success streak is the most important factor.
“I want to become a better version of myself every day,” says Verhoeven. “There is always something that can be improved. On a physical level, technically or mentally. Lately I have been listening to a lot of podcasts and books, from which I learn things about the mental aspect.”
This way he continues to improve himself. He won’t be fighting Osaro so much on November 4. “I am my biggest opponent. I want to do better than last time. That has been my motivation for ten years.”
View the explainer we made about Verhoeven’s titles here:
Sports Explainer: How ‘worldly’ is Rico Verhoeven’s world title?
2023-10-12 11:16:58
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