sky sports Previously unseen footage of Rico Verhoeven’s shocking opponent has been discovered Alexander Usyk’s next title fightfighting Tyson Fury, who was on the cusp of beginning his own world title reign.

Fury has invited boxing star Verhoeven to prepare for the biggest fight of his career. The Morecambe heavyweight is in training camp ahead of his 2015 fight with Wladimir Klitschko.

That fight was Fury’s first world title challenge against a man who had dominated the division for a decade and held the unified WBO, WBA and IBF titles. The victory established Fury as the best heavyweight in the sport.

At the time, Verhoeven was already the best heavyweight kickboxer on the planet, and his championship reign at Glory would last even longer.

He only vacated the kickboxing belt last year and is now an unlikely opponent for Ukrainian Usyk, who has become a unified heavyweight world champion and will challenge Verhoeven for the WBC belt.

Verhoeven will be fighting in his second boxing match, his first in 12 years and his first real fight against a boxer who has won a professional fight.

In Usyk, he’s not only fighting a skilled heavyweight, but he’s also facing the polar opposite. Usyk is the ultimate winner in the sport. He won European, World and Olympic gold medals as an amateur. As a professional, he won the undisputed lightweight world championship and two heavyweight world championships. He has never lost in a professional fight.

So it’s instructive to see how Verhoeven fares in the ring against Fury, Usyk’s closest rival.

Verhoeven has trained regularly with Tyson Fury in the past and with Tyson’s uncle Peter Fury, who trained him for Klitschko’s victory at Bolton Wanderers.

exist sky sports” Fury has just started his training camp and is feeling his way into boxing.

Verhoeven had sparred with Tyson and Hughie Fury, who were very different fighters to Usyk, but they provided Verhoeven with good boxing footwork and jab experience, which is crucial for a kickboxer looking to transition to the “sweet science.”

Peter Fury has known Verhoeven for years and will train him for the Usyk fight. He said at the time: “Every time he comes over to help box, we teach him some techniques and boxing techniques. Guys like him, Rico, they’re a pleasure to work with because they’re disciplined, they’re real fighters, they’ve got enough courage, they’re not weak in any shape or form.”

“He’s going to push himself to the limit and that’s what you expect from a fighter, you don’t need any excuses and that’s why he’s where he is and that’s what he needs.”

Verhoeven described how the outrage camp benefited him. “To me, he (Peter Fury) is more than just a coach,” Dutchman said. “He’s more of a mentor. Because he’s explaining why you should do it. Feint, step aside, throw punches.

“My jab was so bad at the beginning, not fast enough. He worked slowly, patiently, day after day.

“What you see in the kickboxing portion, they’re all standing there stiffly. Boxing is more light, polished, moving. It’s completely different and that’s what I try and achieve in kickboxing. That’s why I think I’m the champion. Because there aren’t a lot of kickboxers doing that.”