Dutch boxer Rico Verhoeven, who recently fought one of the most competitive bouts in Alexander Usyk's career, has made a bold statement regarding a potential continuation of their rivalry. In an interview on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the fighter voiced his version of why the Ukrainian's camp is avoiding a rematch and named the only factor capable of changing the situation.
"An Armored Truck Full of Gold"
According to Verhoeven, Usyk's team is not interested in a second fight due to the high risks. Instead of risking the title again against a dangerous opponent, the Ukrainian champion, in the Dutchman's opinion, plans to hold a lucrative fight in December against Deontay Wilder — an American veteran whose career is on the decline.
Verhoeven is convinced: the only thing that could make Usyk accept a rematch now is an "armored truck full of gold from the Saudis." This sharp remark highlights how, in the Dutchman's view, the financial issue has become decisive in negotiations.
How Usyk Became Verhoeven's Opponent
Interestingly, Rico was originally supposed to fight Anthony Joshua. However, the British ex-champion canceled the bout due to a tragedy: a fatal car accident occurred in Africa in which two of his close friends died. It was this event that led to Verhoeven ending up in the ring against Usyk.
The Tactics That Worked
Verhoeven prepared for the fight against the Ukrainian alongside Tyson Fury's uncle — Peter Fury. The specialist completely "broke" the kickboxer's stance and forced Rico to constantly move to the left to block Usyk's ability to land his signature left-hand punch.
The tactics also involved a series of 8 consecutive strikes: the first four were thrown consciously to load the Ukrainian's "processor," while the subsequent ones hit their target. Ultimately, this strategy brought success and made the bout extremely competitive.
What's Next? MMA or Hollywood
If the rematch with Usyk does not take place, the 37-year-old Verhoeven, who is currently not bound by any contract, has several lucrative options for continuing his career. These include an MMA fight against Francis Ngannou or negotiations with the UFC.
Simultaneously, Rico is actively building an acting career in Hollywood. The athlete has already appeared in the sequels to the blockbusters "Road House 2" and "The Beekeeper 2" alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, Dave Bautista, and Jason Statham.
Thus, Verhoeven demonstrates that he is ready for any challenge — be it the ring, the octagon, or the camera. Meanwhile, the boxing world waits to see if the "truck full of gold" can convince Usyk to return for a rematch.
