One of the potential fights that has heavily circulated over the past week is set to involve former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, with discussions pointing toward a possible showdown against unbeaten cruiserweight star Jai Opetaia. The inclusion of Wilder would instantly elevate the pay-per-view appeal of the undercard, drawing global attention to the supporting bouts as well as the main event between Fury and Joshua.
However, another marquee name has now emerged as a viable opponent for the American knockout artist. Kickboxing superstar Rico Verhoeven revealed in an interview with TalkSport that he has officially accepted an offer to step into the ring against "The Bronze Bomber" on the December 11 Cardiff bill. The revelation has added a fresh layer of intrigue to the already packed event, signaling that organizers are willing to explore crossover fights that capture the imagination of combat sports fans worldwide.
Verhoeven shared details of the offer and his response during his conversation with TalkSport, noting that while the preliminary agreement is in place, final arrangements are still subject to confirmation from Wilder’s camp.
"We got an offer for the December 11 card," Verhoeven told TalkSport. "I can’t confirm just yet [that I will be on the card]. What I can confirm is that they offered me a fight with Deontay Wilder, and I said yes. Of course, the details still need to be talked about. I’m waiting on the response. So if there is a yes from the other side, then it is going to happen."
The prospect of facing Wilder represents another major milestone in Verhoeven’s high-profile transition into professional boxing. The Dutch kickboxing standout was last seen in action back in May, when he made the monumental leap from kickboxing to step into the boxing ring against heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk. That bout took place at the historic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, an iconic setting that added to the grandeur of the occasion. Heading into the fight, many pundits and fans expected a straightforward victory for the undefeated Ukrainian champion, given his technical mastery and dominance in the professional boxing ranks.
Yet, that is certainly not how the fight transpired inside the ring. Verhoeven shocked many observers by displaying remarkable resilience, conditioning, and competitive spirit, pushing Usyk all the way through the championship rounds. He remained a constant threat and made it a deeply challenging night for the unified heavyweight champion before he was controversially stopped in the 11th round. Despite the stoppage, Verhoeven’s spirited and surprisingly competitive performance against one of the greatest fighters of the era earned him immense respect from the combat sports community.
That impressive showing against Usyk has now opened the door to a number of lucrative and high-profile options for the Dutchman as he continues to navigate his career in professional boxing. Stepping into the ring against a fearsome puncher like Deontay Wilder would undoubtedly rank as one of the most lucrative and high-stakes opportunities available to him.
For Wilder, a fight on the Fury-Joshua undercard against a name like Verhoeven or Opetaia would provide an explosive return to the spotlight at the iconic Principality Stadium in Cardiff. As promoters finalize the logistics for the December 11 card, a definitive decision is expected soon on whether the bout between Wilder and Verhoeven will officially be greenlit to take place before a massive stadium crowd in Wales.
