Rico Verhoeven believes he proved he belongs in the heavyweight elite despite losing to Oleksandr Usyk by controversial stoppage. The Dutchman pushed the unified champion hard before the fight ended with just one second left in round 11 at the Pyramids of Giza. Verhoeven insists the performance showed he has multiple ways to trouble Usyk if they meet again.

Verhoeven told Sky Sports that he landed effective shots throughout, particularly to Usyk's body. He suggested the Ukrainian might not have been at his best, which combined with his own strong performance to create the close contest. The dramatic ending has sparked immediate calls for a rematch, though boxing politics could complicate matters.

Usyk now faces a mandatory defense against Agit Kabayel for the WBC title or must vacate the belt. This leaves Verhoeven uncertain about his next move, though he remains optimistic about landing major fights. He emphasized wanting the biggest matchups in the best locations.

Verhoeven's transition from kickboxing has captured global attention, with multiple promoters reaching out. Whether he gets a second shot at Usyk or moves in a different direction, the former kickboxing champion has established himself as a legitimate heavyweight contender capable of pushing elite opponents.