Alistair Overeem Proposes Stadium Boxing Clash With Rico Verhoeven
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The Dutch combat sports veteran is calling for a professional boxing debut against fellow countryman Rico Verhoeven to settle a long-standing rivalry.
Alistair Overeem is calling for a blockbuster boxing match against Rico Verhoeven, proposing the fight take place in a large stadium to attract casual fans, according to reporting from Sports Illustrated.
Overeem, 46, has not competed in nearly four years and is seeking to enter professional boxing, a sport in which he has no professional record. The Dutch fighter previously competed in K-1, Strikeforce, Pride, and the UFC, finishing his MMA career with a 47-19 record (one no-contest) and his professional kickboxing career at 10-4 (one no-contest).
According to Sports Illustrated, Overeem cited "bad blood" as the driver for the matchup, noting that a 2021 kickboxing bout between the two was canceled due to injuries. Overeem expressed confidence that he could defeat Verhoeven more quickly than Oleksandr Usyk did during their May 23 fight in Egypt, where Usyk stopped Verhoeven in the 11th round. Verhoeven's professional boxing record now stands at 1-1, including one knockout.
Overeem identified Amsterdam's Johan Cruijff Arena as his preferred venue, though Sports Illustrated noted Rotterdam's De Kuip as another potential location. While Overeem mentioned a willingness to fight Deontay Wilder or Francis Ngannou, he stated he wants to face Verhoeven first. Overeem's last professional appearance was a 2022 fight against Badr Hari, which was later overturned to a no-contest.