Johnny Nelson MBE has spoken out on a potential clash between Rico Verhoeven and Anthony Joshua.
Nelson reflected on Verhoeven’s last performance and the qualities he saw that could have caused Joshua problems.
‘AJ’ and the kickboxing icon were set to fight earlier this year, as Verhoeven looked to have his first boxing bout in over 14 years.
The initial plans were scrapped after Joshua was involved in a horror accident in Nigeria just 10 days after he beat Jake Paul.
Nelson spoke to Daily Mail Boxing about how he believes the contest may have played out.
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“I think he swerved a good one. I think he swerved something that could have been career-ending.
“Because Rico was strong, big, there were shots that were just missing Usyk’s chin.”
‘The King of Kickboxing’ instead took on two-time undisputed heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk.
He came in as a massive underdog, with many expecting the Ukrainian to cruise to his 25th professional victory.
Verhoeven pushed the defending champion over 11 rounds, with one of the judges’ scorecards favouring him before the fight was stopped.
After Usyk dropped him, referee Mark Lyson stepped in and stopped the bout, despite Verhoeven wanting to continue.
“Remember, Rico is used to being kicked in the head by bigger men, so ‘AJ’ has got the power, he’s got the accuracy.
“If he doesn’t get rid of him early and Rico is holding him, twisting him up and using that physicality on him…
“You know what, it shouldn’t be the case, but now we know what he is about. If that had been ‘AJ’, Rico would have had his number.”
After the defeat, Verhoeven spoke to The Sun Boxing and revealed his disappointment with how the contest ended.
“It is a mistake. It is a championship fight!
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“They would have never stopped that fight [if Usyk was hurt in the 11th round]. Never! They would have let him go down and keep his hands up to get to the end of the round.
“That is the only thing I am looking for, just say, ‘Yeah, you are right.’
“If it was the other way around, or any other boxer, we would’ve done differently.
“It goes both ways.”
A fight between the pair any time soon seems unlikely with Joshua returning to the ring on July 25.
He takes on Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia, as he looks to set up a long-awaited contest with Tyson Fury.
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