Rico Verhoeven Accepts Deontay Wilder Fight Offer for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Undercard

Rico Verhoeven has revealed that he has accepted an offer to fight Deontay Wilder on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua, potentially setting up a blockbuster heavyweight clash on December 11.

The Dutch kickboxing legend confirmed that he was approached about facing the former WBC heavyweight champion and agreed to the proposed matchup. However, the fight is not officially confirmed, with Verhoeven still waiting for a response from Wilder’s side and further details needing to be finalised.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Verhoeven made his position clear, saying, “What I can confirm is that they offered me a fight with Deontay Wilder, and I said yes.”

The 37-year-old added that discussions were still ongoing and that the contest would depend on whether the American accepted the opportunity.

A potential meeting between the two would add another intriguing heavyweight attraction to the highly anticipated Fury vs Joshua card at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

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Rico Verhoeven Looking to Build on Oleksandr Usyk Performance

Verhoeven’s potential fight against Wilder comes after his boxing appearance against Oleksandr Usyk in May. Despite entering the contest as a significant underdog, the former GLORY heavyweight champion managed to give the Ukrainian considerable problems before suffering an 11th-round stoppage defeat.

Although Verhoeven came up short, his performance attracted attention and opened the door to further opportunities in professional boxing.

The Dutchman is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxers of his generation. He dominated GLORY’s heavyweight division for more than a decade, defending his championship on numerous occasions before vacating the title in 2025.

However, his experience in professional boxing remains limited compared to established heavyweight contenders. A potential showdown with Wilder would provide another major test as he attempts to establish himself in a different combat sport.

Deontay Wilder Could Face Another Major Heavyweight Test

Wilder remains one of boxing’s most recognisable heavyweight names, having held the WBC title and built a reputation for his devastating punching power.

The American last fought Derek Chisora in April, securing a split-decision victory. A December return would give him another opportunity to feature on a major boxing card, although his next opponent remains subject to ongoing discussions.

Wilder has also been linked with a potential fight against Jai Opetaia, meaning the Verhoeven proposal is not the only option being discussed for his next appearance.

The matchup would present an interesting contrast in experience. While Verhoeven brings years of elite kickboxing experience and the confidence gained from his performance against Usyk, Wilder has spent much of his career competing against established professional boxers.

For Verhoeven, securing a victory over a former heavyweight world champion would significantly strengthen his standing in boxing. For Wilder, the proposed contest would offer another high-profile opportunity on a card headlined by two of Britain’s biggest boxing stars.

For now, Verhoeven has made his intentions clear by accepting the offer. Whether the fight becomes a reality will depend on Wilder’s response and the completion of negotiations.