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Rico Verhoeven became world kickboxing champion in the heavyweight division for the fourteenth time in his career on Saturday evening. ‘The King of Kickboxing’ successfully defended his world title at GLORY 100 in Ahoy by defeating the Russian Artem Vakhitov.
The 36-year-old Verhoeven didn’t make it a spectacle. He was the strongest on points in all five rounds and was then unanimously declared the winner by the jury.
During the fight, there was almost continuous whistling from the audience. Many fans also chose to leave early, out of dissatisfaction with the lack of sensation. Earlier in the evening, the fans were going wild during fights in other classes.
Afterwards, Verhoeven apologized for the not-so-entertaining fight. “This was a chess match at the highest level. That guy is so incredibly good,” the Dutchman said about his opponent. “I am 100 percent sure that he will also become a world champion in the future.”
Eleven years without defeat
For Verhoeven, it was his first fight since December 7 of last year. Half a year ago, he was too strong for Levi Rigters in Gelredome.
Verhoeven first became world champion in the heavyweight division in the summer of 2014. Since that fight eleven years ago, Verhoeven has been unapproachable and has successfully defended his world title thirteen times.
In the run-up to the fight with Vakhitov, there was some criticism because the Russian is considerably lighter than the Dutchman. Vakhitov, who weighed 12.5 kilos less at the weigh-in on Friday, was previously world champion in the light heavyweight division and has competed in MMA, mixed martial arts, in recent years.
The 34-year-old Vakhitov has not been active for GLORY in recent years because he was removed from the rankings due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
It was the hundredth edition of GLORY, held in Ahoy. With over 12,000 spectators, the event was almost sold out.
Some spectators had already left the stadium before the fight between Verhoeven and Vakhitov. Earlier in the evening, public favorite Jamal Ben Saddik had to drop out injured in the Last Heavyweight Standing tournament. Ben Saddik had to give up because he had a deep cut in his right shin.