Derek Chisora thinks there is one perfect fight out there for Rico Verhoeven.
The legendary heavyweight kickboxer shocked the world in what was only his second ever boxing match many years after his debut.
He showed great technical skill, footwork and fitness to get himself ahead on the cards against Oleksandr Usyk, who is widely regarded as one of the best to ever do it and a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
However, he came unstuck late on when he was caught with a barrage of punches that led to the referee stepping in and stopping the fight rather controversially at the end of the 11th round.
Speaking to Playbook Boxing, Chisora suggested who Verhoeven should take aim at next.
“‘The Gypsy King’ is doing another fight before he fights Anthony. You should call Turki Alalshikh and say you will take that one.”
Verhoeven then had his own quick comeback.
“But then he’s probably not going to fight Anthony Joshua anymore because he’s going to get beat.”
Following his superb showing against Usyk, Verhoeven was promised a top ranking by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman and in the latest update, he was indeed installed as the No. 8 heavyweight contender in the world.
That ranking gives the Dutchman plenty of options if he wants to try and work his way towards another world title shot, although his priority remains a rematch with Usyk for three of the four belts.
