After Usyk vacates his titles, Rico Verhoeven calls for a rematch.

Rico Verhoeven makes his move

According to Novyny.live: Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven has thrown down the gauntlet to Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk, demanding a second fight between them. The challenge followed Usyk's announcement that he is relinquishing his WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight championship belts. Back in May 2026, the two already faced off in Giza, Egypt, where Usyk walked away with the win.

During that bout, Usyk knocked Verhoeven down in the 11th round, and the referee stepped in to stop the fight after a flurry of follow-up punches. That victory was a major milestone in Usyk's career, but Verhoeven is clearly hungry for redemption. He made his intentions clear:

“It's time for a rematch” - Rico Verhoeven

What a new fight could mean

Verhoeven wants another shot at Usyk, and his statement could kick off negotiations for a potential sequel between the two athletes. The ball is now in Usyk's court as fans await his response and any concrete steps toward organizing the rematch.

Verhoeven's call for a rematch could shake up the boxing world, especially with Usyk stepping away from his titles. If the Ukrainian fighter agrees, the bout would draw massive attention from both fans and media, given how memorable their first clash turned out to be. A potential showdown wouldn't just be another fight—it could define the next chapter in both men's careers.