Rico Verhoeven is no stranger to the spotlight, and as he prepares to step into the ring with heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk on May 23, he’s embracing the pressure rather than shying away from it. In a recent interview with DAZN, the kickboxing legend opened up about the monumental crossover fight, how it came together, and why he’s ready to prove doubters wrong.

“Oh, the pressure is always there,” Verhoeven said, “but the most important thing is to enjoy the process instead of just the fight itself. I try to keep it level and be crazy excited and thankful for this opportunity.”

For fans of boxing who might not follow kickboxing, Verhoeven knows he’s an unknown quantity. But the Dutch heavyweight has been dominating his sport for over a decade. “I’m used to the big lights, the big stage, the interviews, the pressure,” he explained. “I’ve had a target on my back for so long because I’ve held what people wanted. For me, this feels like a fish in water.”

The matchup against Usyk—an undisputed champion in his own right—has all the makings of a blockbuster. Verhoeven sees it as a natural next step in a series of potential crossover bouts, including rumored fights with Francis Ngannou or Anthony Joshua. But facing Usyk, who has dominated from cruiserweight to heavyweight, feels like a movie script. “Undisputed versus undisputed. Two different worlds collide. Wow,” Verhoeven said.

With a lifetime of kickboxing experience and a boxing foundation honed alongside Team Fury since 2010, Verhoeven is no novice in the ring. “I’ve sparred everybody—Kabayel, Dillian Whyte, Hughie Fury, Tyson Fury. I’m used to keeping my feet on the ground,” he added. For fans of combat sports, this clash of titans promises to be one for the ages.