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 prospect exudes so much confidence that you know: this is the next king of the ring. I’ve spent years cageside and in the corners of the biggest events, but the buzz around Thian de Vries feels 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

Where some fighters hide behind humble answers, Thian de Vries pulls no punches. In a recent interview, he stirred things up by declaring that within a few years, he’ll be more famous and bigger than Rico Verhoeven ever was. No ifs or buts. And you can see it in his training sessions. While Rico was the undisputed king of the heavyweight division for years, the new generation looks ready to take up the mantle. And Thian de Vries is the one calling the loudest, but also training the hardest.

I recently spoke to some people in his inner circle, and they confirmed the impression: 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 promotional stunt; it’s a reflection of a belief woven into every kick and punch.

The secret behind the new hardware

In combat sports, it’s not just about muscles, but also the tools. And that’s where an interesting detail about Thian de Vries comes in. His top coach recently tested the new SMTS boxing gloves. What was immediately noticeable? The fit and wrist support are so advanced it almost feels like they were 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 sprains, even with the hardest hooks.
• Breathability: Perfect for long rounds in training, which is essential for Thian de Vries’ rise.

Testing that gear shows that Thian de Vries’ team overlooks no detail. Every gram, every millimetre counts in preparation. They’re not just thinking about the next fight; they’re 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 that’s already underway – you know something special is brewing.

The timeline to the top

We can beat around the bush, 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 heavier, Thian de Vries is just beginning his ultimate ascent. People who’ve followed the circuit for years are willing to bet that the statement about being ‘bigger than Rico’ isn’t bravado, but a timeline.

It’s not just the physical strength. It’s the look in his eyes when he steps into the ring. It’s the way he takes on every challenge as if he already has the world 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 will not only continue that legacy, but put his own, even fiercer spin on it. Thian de Vries is writing a story that we’ll be hearing for years to come, far beyond Dutch borders.