But with Oleksandr Usyk seemingly set for a world title defense against Agit Kabayel next, where should the Dutch kickboxing icon turn while he awaits a deserved rematch?

Outside of that return with the Ukrainian great, we have a look at what fights would make most sense for Verhoeven in what would be his third professional fight. Although Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are both tied up for the foreseeable future, there are plenty of other heavyweights who would fancy a crack at bettering Usyk’s controversial 11th round stoppage.

The 21-year-old champion-in-waiting is still without an opponent for August 8 with discussions about a potential clash with Filip Hrgovic ongoing. But given how hot Verhoeven’s name is at the moment, perhaps Queensberry should draft the big Dutchman. It would represent good preparation for a second fight with Usyk given that Itauma is also a southpaw and a victory against the next big thing would be almost as stunning as his performance in Egypt. For Itauma, Verhoeven would give him another big target to aim at, and an early stoppage would now be a huge statement.

Given that the Londoner is the only person not named Usyk with a heavyweight belt at the moment, he would be an obvious target for Verhoeven. It is still not clear how the sanctioning bodies, in this case the WBO, will look upon the Dutchman’s defeat when it comes to their rankings. Despite his performance and the nature of the stoppage, his record still shows a big, red L, so he might not be drafted straight into any top 15s just yet. But, if he is, Verhoeven would make a sensible first defense for Dubois, who beat Fabio Wardley for the title earlier this month. Again, a Joshua-Ngannou style dismissal of Verhoeven would be a statement win for Dubois.

Given his star power, no heavyweight next opponent list is complete these days without the Bronze Bomber Deontay Wilder. Given his frightening power seems to have waned dramatically, the 40-year-old’s position on any risk/reward spectrum is completely different to what it once was. For Verhoeven, a fight with Wilder would represent some significant upside. And let’s not forget that Oleksandr Usyk spent the start of the year saying how much he would like to fight the man from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Derek Chisora, who famously picked Verhoeven to beat Usyk, reckons he and Wilder are set for a rematch, but maybe the Dutchman could nip in there first.

It was hard not to draw comparisons between Verhoeven’s performance at the Pyramids and that of Francis Ngannou when he faced then-WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in what was the first ever Riyadh Season boxing event back in October 2023. Debutant Ngannou famously dropped Fury with a left hook in the third round but eventually lost narrowly and controversially on the cards. However he was demolished by Anthony Joshua inside two rounds five months later and has not boxed since. He recently returned to MMA. But if he feels like he has unfinished business in boxing, Verhoeven would represent a novel opponent in a unique crossover-crossover fight.

So Big Rico wants to rule his new sport like he ruled the world of kickboxing, does he? How about just taking care of his homeland first. As it stands, Verhoeven is the eighth-rated heavyweight in the Netherlands – out of eight. The man who rules those rankings is 31-year-old Uganda-born Willy Kyakonye (13-0, 12 KOs). The 6-foot-6 puncher has illuminated places like Luxury Venues, Utrecht and Theater Carre, Amsterdam, and would surely jump at the chance of a Dutch derby with Verhoeven. Someone have a word with Jason Statham, quickly.