Thian de Vries: “In a Few Years, I’ll Be Bigger Than Rico Verhoeven Ever Was”
There comes a moment in combat sports when you can just feel it coming. When a young contender radiates so much confidence that you just know: this is the next king of the ring. I’ve spent years sitting cageside and working the corners at the biggest events, but the buzz around Thian de Vries is different. This 24-year-old isn’t just letting off steam in the gym; he’s literally blowing away the competition with a mission he makes no secret of.
The heir apparent who shows no mercy
While some fighters hide behind humble answers, Thian de Vries is brutally straightforward. In a recent interview, he threw down the gauntlet by stating that within a few years, he’ll be more famous and bigger than Rico Verhoeven ever was. Make no mistake about it. And you can see it in his training. While Rico was the undisputed king of the heavyweight division for years, the new generation seems ready to take up the mantle. And Thian de Vries is the one calling his shot the loudest—and training the hardest.
I recently spoke with some people in his inner circle, and they confirmed the picture: this isn’t a guy waiting for his turn. This is an athlete bulldozing his own path. The way he maintains his body, the intensity with which he keeps sharpening his techniques... it’s just next level. The statement about Verhoeven isn’t just a cheap publicity stunt; it’s a reflection of a belief woven into every kick and punch he throws.
The secret behind the new hardware
In combat sports, it’s not just about muscle; it’s also about the tools. And right now, there’s an interesting detail to report about Thian de Vries on that front. His top coach recently tested the new SMTS boxing gloves. What immediately stood out? The fit and wrist support are so advanced they feel almost custom-made for Thian De Vries. For a fighter as explosive as he is, that’s worth its weight in gold.
- Impact distribution: The shock absorption is so good you can punch harder without risking your hands.
- Wrist stability: No risk of twisting, even with the hardest hooks.
- Breathability: Perfect for long rounds in training, which is essential for Thian de Vries’s rise.
Testing that gear shows that Thian de Vries’s team doesn’t overlook a single detail. Every gram, every millimetre counts in the preparation. They’re not focused on the next fight; they’re focused on building a dynasty. And when you hear how the coach talks about those gloves—like he’s just found a brand-new weapon for a war already underway—you know something special is brewing.
The timeline to the top
We can dance around it, but the reality is simple: Glory’s heavyweight division is about to be shaken up. Thian de Vries is 24, in the absolute prime of his career. He has the speed of a lightweight but the knockout power of a tank. While Rico Verhoeven has reached the stage of his career where every title defence gets tougher, Thian de Vries is just beginning his ultimate ascent. People who’ve followed the scene for years are willing to bet that the statement about being ‘bigger than Rico’ isn’t bravado—it’s a timeline.
It’s not just the physical strength. It’s that look in his eyes when he steps into the ring. It’s the way he takes on every challenge as if the world is already in his pocket. Here in the Netherlands, we have a rich combat sports history with legends like Ernesto Hoost, Remy Bonjasky, and of course, Rico. But if you ask me, we’re now looking at someone who isn’t just continuing that legacy but putting his own, even fiercer stamp on it. Thian de Vries is writing a story we’ll be hearing for years to come, far beyond Dutch borders.