Started at the bottom
Rico Verhoeven (1989) was born and raised in The Netherlands. Already started practicing martial arts at the age of 7, he is a force to be reckoned with. In 1996, Verhoeven started training kickboxing. A natural at it, he made his professional debut in the ring at the age of sixteen. Over the years Verhoeven has grown through fights against some of the world’s greatest fighters. Resulting in becoming the undisputed GLORY Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion from 2013 until 2025, remaining unbeaten for an impressive 12 years (4418 days). In November 2025 he felt it was time for a new chapter and stepped away as champion by choice, freeing up the title so he could chase even bigger challenges. Rico is known for his powerful and athletic build, sympathetic character and marketable looks. With the mind of a mature fighter and the body of a young athlete, Verhoeven gains an extremely favorable future perspective.
Role model
Besides his great achievements as a professional athlete, Rico is a loving father of two daughters and a son. He is a much sought-after personality. His marketable looks and character, added with his speaking skills makes him very appealing for several partnerships. He appeared in various Radio & TV shows, movies, documentaries, series, commercials, magazines, vlogs and events.
Reaching the top did not go without a fight, hence the story behind Rico’s success is one that needs to be told. Consequently in 2017 his biography was published in a book with the applicable title ˜RICO”. The incredible story about Rico Verhoeven was widely embraced by the public, bombarding the book to a #1 bestseller. Rico is frequently booked as a public speaker for several businesses and organisation ranging from NGO’s to non-profit organisations and from professional football teams to youngsters. A story about his road to success, his mind-set, tips and tricks and much more.
Acting ambitions
Rico’s natural communication talent also led him to his first steps in the world of acting, including several appearances in TV series and acting roles in Hollywood movies such as Jean-Claude van Damme’s Kickboxing Retaliation. Ferdinand (Dutch voice over of the main character Ferdinand the Bull), Black Lotus, Den of Thieves, and Road House 2.
Due to his healthy lifestyle and discipline Rico Verhoeven has realised great things, but he believes that anyone can achieve his or her goals.
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