“Goose flesh.” “Proud.” “Fat.”

Countless times these words rolled over Rico Verhoeven’s lips, on Saturday just before midnight at Ahoy. The kickboxer just beat Hesdy Gerges at Hit It, a new event that combines martial arts and entertainment.

Verhoeven is the creator and co-founder of Hit It. He got involved in the smallest details during the preparation.

His fight with Gerges was the last piece of the evening. From his dressing room, Verhoeven watched on a small screen the dance and musical performances, as well as the amateur parties (including former cyclist Michael Boogerd) and professional bouts that preceded his kickboxing bout.

“I often had goosebumps on my arms. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved,” babbles Verhoeven, whose adrenaline is barely spurting out of his ears so soon after the fight.

“I thought it was a really great show and I think the audience thought so too. Of course it was new and people have to get used to it. There has never been anything like this in the Netherlands, then you have to deal with it differently.”

Not sold out

Verhoeven’s new event didn’t lead to a sold-out Ahoy, by no means all 11,000 seats in the Rotterdam event hall were occupied. No wonder, because the cheapest tickets were 59 euros and those who wanted to watch at home paid 20 euros for a stream.

In return, the audience got to see dance, music and martial arts for almost four hours. But no matter how hard artists like Emma Heesters and Sam Ryder tried their best, the audience mainly came for the game between Verhoeven and Gerges. Most performances received only civilized applause.

Verhoeven noticed that too. “You’ve seen people think, ‘I’m coming to kickboxing, but now there’s music. Should I stand and dance now? performances.”

much show

The audience only got really excited when Gerges and Verhoeven entered the ring. Or actually shortly before, because the rise of the two heavyweights is a rarely seen spectacle in the martial arts world. Accompanied by dozens of dancers dressed as Roman gladiators, fire, a light show and banging music, Verhoeven stormed into the ring.

In this ring, Gerges lasted until the middle of the fifth round, although the 38-year-old from Amsterdam suffered in his farewell fight. As everyone expected, Verhoeven won the match via technical knockout.

Verhoeven then grabbed the microphone to thank Gerges, the audience and all the staff in detail. It has been announced that Hit It will not stick to one edition. Although Verhoeven was later unable to say if there will be another event next year.

The kickboxing champion can hardly sit still. In addition to his daily martial arts training, he pursues an acting career, is an entrepreneur with several restaurants and is the father of three children. “2023 will be a very busy year. My first big movie is coming out and I will fight for fame again. I’m not sure there’s enough time left for Hit It.”

light at the end of the tunnel

With the organization of the entertainment show, Verhoeven is already preparing for life after his sports career. “Of course, because I can already see the light at the end of the tunnel,” says the 33-year-old kickboxer, somewhat vehemently about the meaning of this expression. “I am now in the autumn of my career.”

A few years ago, Verhoeven indicated that if he had been Champion of Glory for ten years, he thought it would be a good time to retire. The time has come at the end of 2023.

But now, as that moment approaches, Verhoeven nuances that statement somewhat. “I want to complete these ten years at all costs. Then we’ll see. I’ll fight at least two parties for glory next year.”

His first appearance will be in the first quarter of next year, most likely against Alistair Overeem. We just have to wait for the official confirmation.

It will be an evening without dancing gladiators and boxing cyclists, but perhaps with goosebumps for Verhoeven again.