Nieky Holzken
The Natural, a boxer's body attack in kickboxing
- Born
- December 16, 1983, Helmond, Netherlands
- Nationality
Netherlands- Height
- 183 cm (6′0″)
- Reach
- 188 cm (6′2″)
- Style
- Body-punching boxer-kicker
- Weight
- Lightweight, Welterweight, Middleweight
- Active
- 2001–2026
- Status
- Retired · age 42
The record
Kickboxing per Wikipedia; Glory's athlete profile lists 90-14 (46 KO). Pro boxing 15-2 (11 KO), ending with a loss to Besir Ay on 7 February 2026. record
The story
ieky Holzken, from Helmond, was often described as one of the best boxers in kickboxing, and the liver was his favorite target. Trained at Golden Glory and later by his own team, he lost two early decisions to Buakaw Por. Pramuk, then became a Glory mainstay: he won the 2013 welterweight tournament by stopping Joseph Valtellini in the last seconds of the final, took the vacant title by beating Raymond Daniels in 2015 and defended it three times. Cédric Doumbé ended his reign with a split decision in 2016. Holzken also built a 15-2 professional boxing record, going the full 12 rounds with Callum Smith in the World Boxing Super Series in 2018. He retired in February 2026, the day after his final bout.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- Glory Welterweight champion (2015–2016, 3 defenses)
- Glory Welterweight World Championship Tournament winner (2013)
- Glory Welterweight Contender Tournament winner (2015)
- WFCA K-1 rules super middleweight world champion (2011)
- Fight of the Year 2013, vs Joseph Valtellini (Bloody Elbow, LiverKick)
Defining fights
- 2013WINvs Joseph Valtellini (TKO 3, Glory welterweight tournament final)
- 2015WINvs Raymond Daniels (TKO 3, cut, won vacant Glory welterweight title)
- 2015WINvs Murthel Groenhart (split decision, title defense)
- 2016LOSSvs Cédric Doumbé (split decision, lost title)
- 2018LOSSvs Callum Smith (unanimous decision, boxing, World Boxing Super Series)
After a jab to the head, dip slightly and rip a left hook to the liver, then come back upstairs with the same hand when the opponent's elbow drops, as Holzken did.
1972–1999
