Rico Verhoeven facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rico Verhoeven |
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Verhoeven in 2021
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| Born | Ricardo Verhoeven April 10, 1989 Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands |
| Other names | Prince of Kickboxing (formerly) King of Kickboxing (currently) |
| Height | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) |
| Weight | 122 kg (269 lb) |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Reach | 77 in (196 cm) |
| Style | Kickboxing, Kyokushin |
| Team | Superpro Sportcenter |
| Trainer | Dennis Krauweel |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 1 |
| Wins | 1 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 76 |
| Wins | 66 |
| By knockout | 21 |
| Losses | 10 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 1 |
| Wins | 1 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Losses | 0 |
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last updated on: 29 October 2022
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Rico Verhoeven (born April 10, 1989) is a famous Dutch professional kickboxer. He is known as the reigning GLORY Heavyweight Champion. He has also competed in professional boxing and mixed martial arts.
Rico started his professional career in 2004. He has fought in major kickboxing events like K-1 and It's Showtime. Many people consider him one of the greatest kickboxers of all time. He has held the GLORY heavyweight title for over 10 years. During this time, he won 26 fights in a row as champion.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Rico Verhoeven was born in Bergen op Zoom, a town in the Netherlands. He began learning martial arts when he was just five years old. His first style was Kyokushin, a type of karate. His father, who was a karate black belt, trained him.
When Rico was seven, he switched to kickboxing. Because he was very tall and strong, he started competing against adults when he was only 16. He mainly trains in Zevenbergen at the Superpro Sportcenter. His trainer is Dennis Krauweel.
Kickboxing Career Highlights
Rico Verhoeven joined the Glory World Series after fighting in other big events.
Early Glory Fights
In December 2012, Rico fought in the 2012 Glory Heavyweight Grand Slam tournament in Japan. He won his first fight against Sergei Kharitonov. However, he lost in the next round to his countryman Semmy Schilt.
He later won against Jhonata Diniz in Italy in April 2013. In June 2013, he had a rematch with Errol Zimmerman in New York City. Rico won this fight by a decision from the judges.
Winning the Glory Title
In October 2013, Rico won the Glory 11: Chicago - Heavyweight World Championship Tournament. He beat Gökhan Saki in the semi-finals. Then, he defeated Daniel Ghiță in the final. This was a big surprise to many fans.
In December 2013, Rico also beat kickboxing legend Peter Aerts in a close fight in Japan.
In June 2014, Rico fought Daniel Ghiță again for the vacant Glory Heavyweight Championship. Rico won by a unanimous decision, becoming the new champion.
Defending His Title
Rico vs. Zimmerman (Part 3)
Rico's first title defense was against Errol Zimmerman in February 2015. This was their third fight. Rico used kicks and straight punches to keep Zimmerman away. Zimmerman injured his knee in the second round, and Rico won by technical knockout (TKO).
Rico vs. Adegbuyi Fights
For his second title defense, Rico fought Benjamin Adegbuyi in June 2015. Adegbuyi surprised Rico early in the fight. But Rico took control and won by a unanimous decision.
Six months later, Adegbuyi earned another chance to fight Rico for the title. In December 2015, Rico quickly won the second fight by knockout (KO) in the first round. After this win, Rico changed his nickname from "Prince of Kickboxing" to "King of Kickboxing."
Rico continued to defend his title. He beat Mladen Brestovac in March 2016 and Anderson Braddock Silva in September 2016.
Rico vs. Hari (Part 1)
A very important fight for Rico was against former world champion Badr Hari in December 2016. Hari was a popular and strong fighter. Hari started aggressively and won the first round. But in the second round, Hari injured his arm and could not continue. Rico won by TKO, marking his 50th kickboxing victory.
After this, Rico fought Ismael Lazaar and Antônio Silva in non-title fights, winning both easily.
Rico vs. Ben Saddik (Part 2)
In December 2017, Rico defended his title against Jamal Ben Saddik. This fight was called one of the biggest in kickboxing history because both fighters were very large. Ben Saddik had beaten Rico in their first meeting in 2011. This time, Ben Saddik started strong, but Rico took over and won by TKO in the fifth round.
Rico continued his winning streak, defending his title against Mladen Brestovac again in June 2018 and Guto Inocente in September 2018.
Rico vs. Hari (Part 2)
In December 2019, Rico had a highly anticipated rematch with Badr Hari. The fight took place in front of 30,000 fans. Rico started aggressively but was knocked down in the first round. He was knocked down again in the third round. However, the fight ended in the third round when Hari broke his ankle after a missed kick. Rico won by TKO. This fight was watched by 3.5 million people in the Netherlands, making it one of the most-watched live sports broadcasts in Dutch history.
Recent Title Defenses
In January 2021, Rico was supposed to fight Jamal Ben Saddik again, but Ben Saddik got injured. Instead, Rico entered a four-man tournament at Glory 77. He won his semi-final against Hesdy Gerges and the final against Tarik Khbabez, who stopped fighting due to an injury.
In October 2021, Rico defended his title against Jamal Ben Saddik for the third time. Rico won by TKO in the fourth round.
In October 2022, Rico fought Hesdy Gerges for the fourth time. He won by TKO in the fifth round.
In November 2023, Rico defended his title against Tariq Osaro. He won by unanimous decision.
In March 2024, Rico won the Glory Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament. He won three fights in one night, beating Sofian Laidouni, Nabil Khachab, and Levi Rigters in the final.
In December 2024, Rico defended his Glory heavyweight title against Levi Rigters again, winning by unanimous decision.
Most recently, in June 2025, Rico defended his Glory heavyweight title against Artem Vakhitov at Glory 100, winning by unanimous decision.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Rico Verhoeven also tried MMA. He made his professional debut in October 2015 in Romania. He won his first fight against Viktor Bogutzki by TKO in the first round. Before this, he trained with famous fighters like Daniel Cormier in California.
Fighting Style
Rico Verhoeven is known for his smart and technical fighting style. He uses many different attacks, especially powerful low kicks. He also has a very strong defense. He has even worked with boxing champion Tyson Fury, who helped him improve his jab.
Achievements and Awards
Rico Verhoeven has won many titles and awards:
- Glory
- 2014 Glory Heavyweight World Championship Tournament Champion
- Glory Heavyweight Championship (current champion)
- He has defended his title 13 times, which is the most in Glory history.
- 2017 Glory Fighter of the Year
- 2017 Glory Knockout of the Year (against Jamal Ben Saddik)
- 2019 Glory Highlight of the Year
- 2021 Glory 77 Heavyweight Tournament Winner
- 2021 Glory Fight of the Year (against Jamal Ben Saddik)
- 2024 Glory Heavyweight Grand Prix Winner
- 2024 Glory Fighter of the Year
- Other Awards
- 2024 Combat Press Fight of the Year (against Levi Rigters II)
- 2017 Liverkick.com Fighter of the Year
- 2016 Kickboxingplanet.com Kickboxer of the Year
- 2013 Bloody Elbow.com Kickboxer of the Year
Film and TV Appearances
Rico Verhoeven has also appeared in movies and TV shows.
- In 2015, he was in the TV show Bluf and the movie Vechtershart.
- In 2018, he appeared in De Film van Dylan Haegens and Kickboxer: Retaliation.
- In 2022, a documentary series called RICO: Dream Big followed his life.
- In 2023, he was in The First Years and Black Lotus.
- In 2025, he is expected to be in Den of Thieves 2: Pantera.
Personal Life
Rico Verhoeven has three children with his ex-wife, Jacky Duchenne.
Images for kids
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Verhoeven in 2021
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Verhoeven in 2009.
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Rico training in 2020.
See also
In Spanish: Rico Verhoeven para niños
