K-1 WGP v Yokohamě 2008

Předpokládaná účast - event card:
http://kickboxing.blog.cz/0802/k-1-wgp-2008-v-yokohame

To vypada slusne, ale nejvic me zajima Sefik, posledni fight proti Aertsovi byl hodne spatnej. Tak sem zvedavej co predvede ted.

Schilta bych dal s Choiem dohromady, oba maj nezazivny zapasy, takze misto dvou nezazivnejch zapasu by byl jen jeden. Choi je sice drevo, ale podle me, ma jako jedinej na to poratit Schilta, jehoz taktika je postavena na jeho vyskovy prevaze, ktera s choiem pada.

Kazdpoadne to je jeste daleko.

jen postuju fighting card:
http://kickboxing.blog.cz/0802/k-1-gp-v-yokohame-fighting-card

Mark Hunt vs. Semmy

Pozápasová tisková konference
(Zbytek - výsledky, report, videa, najdete na stránkách)

citace :

YOKOHAMA, April 13, 2008 -- Moroccan muay thai dynamo and Defending K-1 Heavyweight Champion Badr Hari, 23, scored three quick first-round downs to defeat Ray Sefo tonight at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Yokohama. In the evening's Main Event, Defending K-1 World Grand Prix Champion Semmy Schilt defeated challenger Mark Hunt.

It had been more than six years since Mark Hunt's incredible 2001 World GP Tokyo Dome Final performance, when the New Zealand boxer dispatched K-1 stars Francisco Filho, Stefan Leko and Jerome LeBanner to become the first non-European K-1 World GP Champion. Hunt wanted very much to score another upset tonight, against the juggernaut that is Semmy Schilt.

Schilt towers a full 33cm/13" taller than Hunt, but from the bell the scrappy Kiwi undertook valiant attempts to overcome this disadvantage -- leaping forward to throw the right overhand punch to the delight of the crowd. Hunt also strived to control the distance with low kicks. Alas, Schilt threw low kicks as well, and unfortunately for Hunt and for underdog fans everywhere, Schilt's kicks were a heck of a lot harder, and there were a heck of a lot more of them. By midway through the first round, Hunt's left leg had been brutalized.

To make matters worse, Hunt also received a hard left knee to the chops late in the round. As the seconds clicked down, Schilt went all-out, and at the clapper delivered a spinning back kick smack into his opponent's midsection. Hunt fell in a heap and lay there with pain tattooed on his face. A most convincing KO win for Schilt.

"We practiced the spinning back kick in training," smiled Schilt in his post flight interview, "but I didn't know it would work out so well. I'm glad I won because he was also a GP Champion, so now I have beaten all the active K-1 Champs!"

Asked what advice he could offer anyone contemplating fighting him, Schilt simply smiled, "I'd tell them not to take the fight!"

"I felt like I'd been kicked by a horse," said a distressed Hunt, "I think anybody who got caught with that kick, even Ernesto Hoost, would have been out. I only started getting my air back when I heard the ring announcer call the number 'eight'."

Ray Sefo versus Badr Hari meanwhile was a highly-anticipated matchup, the civil New Zealand veteran facing the volatile Moroccan rising star.

Despite some trash talk in pre-fight interviews, there were smiles on both fighters' faces as they met center-ring for the referee's instructions. Then it was straight to business. An explosive start -- both fighters attacking aggressively, Sefo firing in a right that put his opponent off balance, Hari responding with a number of knees then a devastating left cross to score a down. After resumption, Hari went right after Sefo, who was forced to the ropes, closed up in defense. Sefo has a great chin, but Hari brought up a hard knee then added a right straight to score another down.

Hari showed no mercy, firing one punch after another, and again bringing the knee up on the doubled-over Sefo. The crowd watched nervously, well aware that Sefo had many times before taken a beating only to rebound and return the favor. But on this night, "Sugarfoot" could not sustain a counterattack. As Hari's fists flew, the referee stepped in and waved his arms, signaling a sensational first-round KO victory for Badr Hari.

"Before the fight, I said I'd get a KO, and I delivered!" said Hari afterward. "In the ring, you can't miss anything, but Ray blinked and I landed the blow, and that was that."

"I was feeling okay," said Sefo, "and then I got caught by the knee and it all went down from there. Badr was the better fighter, that's all."

The card comprised nine bouts, all fought under regular K-1 Rules.

The penultimate contest featured a couple of superbly conditioned combatants -- kyokushin stylist Ewerton Teixeira of Brazil and Japanese karate fighter Yusuke Fujimoto. Teixeira entered the ring with but one K-1 bout to his name -- a 2004 win against Petar Majstorovic. Fujimoto, meanwhile, is the K-1 '07 Asia GP Champion and has honed his skills at the respected Mejiro Gym in Holland.

Teixeira missed with a high kick and a spinning back kick early on, but then answered Fujimoto's hard low kicks in kind. A Teixeira right set Fujimoto stumbling, but Fujimoto also got some good punches through in the first. In the second, both fighters closed frequently and fearlessly, leading with the fists and making good contact. This was shaping up to be one heck of a battle.

In the third there was more aggressive punching, Teixeira missing with a number of his ambitious kicks, Fujimoto repeatedly closing with the right but absorbing punishment from Teixeira's quick counters. A spirited round, in which Teixeira's left straight punch would have put many fighters down -- Fujimoto showing a good chain to stay on his feet and answering deftly with a spinning back punch that made partial contact. Judges saw a draw and called for a tiebreaker round.

Teixeira landed a dandy left straight punch here, Fujimoto was also good with body blows, moving forward but now beginning to either slip and fall to the canvas or grab hold of his opponent to stay on his feet, suggesting possible damage to his left leg.

When the round ended, the judges once again pronounced a draw, sending the fighters to a second and final tiebreaker.

Here Teixeira's superior stamina proved the difference, as he kept on coming while Fujimoto began falling apart. It was a left straight on a counter that scored Teixeira his first down, followed by a left hook for a second down just 20 seconds later. Fujimoto was now awfully wobbly, and Teixeira's right straight punch was the coup de grace, dropping the Japanese fighter for the third time and giving the Brazilian the KO win.

At 35 years of age, seidokaikan veteran Musashi is Japan's most accomplished K-1 fighter. Tonight he faced a challenge from compatriot Junichi Sawayashiki, a 23 year old kickboxer. His stunning upset win over Jerome LeBanner last year established Sawayashiki as one of Japan's most promising youngsters.

The fighters exchanged jabs and low kicks through the early going, Musashi getting a good middle kick through, Sawayashiki making partial contact with a high kick in the first round. In the second, Musashi worked the body blows before getting a left kick up and on target to score a down. After resumption, Musashi put his opponent on the ropes and laid in with the fists, and soon a left uppercut had dropped Sawayashiki a second time. The poor kid beat the count, rising to his feet only be sent back down by Musashi's decisive left straight. An impressive win, Musashi sending the message that he still has a lot of fight left in him.

The Brazilian with the magic legs, kyokushin fighter Glaube Feitosa, met low-kick specialist Alex Roberts, a kujyuken fighter from the United Kingdom making his K-1 debut.

Roberts started with a couple of low kicks and a knee to the midsection, but these did not at all rattle Feitosa, who remained characteristically cool. A number of technical exchanges followed, and by the end of the round although neither fighter had dominated, Feitosa had the edge, and Roberts' nose was bloodied.

If Roberts the rookie was beginning to believe he was holding his own against one of the world's best, that thought flew out of his mind the minute Feitosa's left foot connected with the right side of his head. The British fighter collapsed to the canvas ingloriously, and Feitosa had yet another clip for his kyokushin high-kick highlight reel.

The Squat Samoan with the herculean right hook, Mighty Mo, stepped in against cocky Japanese kickboxer Keijiro Maeda.

Maeda cycled at the far perimeter, occasionally tossing in a kick, while Mo tracked him from the center of the ring. Mo did catch the Japanese fighter on several occasions and Maeda did go to the canvas, but these were ruled slips. Apart from endlessly circling, Maeda's unusual strategy involved diving into the clinch or darting away when it looked like he might get punched. In the second, Mo answered one of Maeda's dive-and-hug maneuvers with a knee, but otherwise had a difficult time tagging his wily opponent.

Maeda continued with the kick-and-run strategy in the third, a number of low kicks making good contact, a number of them also hitting Mo below the belt. Mo now attempted his own low kicks, but these were woefully inadequate. You had to give Maeda credit -- he had put Mo off his game. It wasn't pretty, but it forced a tiebreaker round.

Here, Mo was again kicked below the belt, prompting an extended time stop and recovery period. At the age of 34, Mo is 13 years older than Maeda, and stamina now came into play. An increasingly exhausted and frustrated Mo could not find his distance, while the evasive Maeda scored enough with this kicks to take a unanimous decision.

Veteran kickboxer Petr Vondracek of the Czech Republic, who had lost his last four K-1 bouts, hoped to turn things around here against Japanese karate stylist Mitsugu Noda.

But that was not to be. Too much clinching in the early going, until Noda unloaded a barrage of punches on the cornered and closed-up Vondracek, prompting the referee to call a standing count. A repeat performance in the second, Noda putting Vondracek on the ropes and pummeling him for a good while before finally earning another standing count. The Czech made a bit of a rally, coming in with a series of hooks, but Noda weathered these and was soon on the offensive again, literally chasing Vondracek round the ring to get a referee stop and the victory.

A hard-hitting German, Chalid "Die Faust" hails from the champion-producing Golden Glory gym in Holland. Here he met the technically-advanced Russian kyokushin karate fighter Aleksandr Pichkunov.

Die Faust had lost his last K-1 contest after eating a knee served up by Glaube Feitosa, another kyokushin fighter. So this was something of a chance for payback. Pichkunov the kicker was also coming off a loss, having been out-punched by Doug Viney.

A tentative start here, both men testing with low kicks and the occasional jab. The pace picked up midway through the first, Pichkunov moving forward with punches and sailing a spinning back kick just high. But Die Faust answered the challenge, coming back with a punching attack to end the round.

In the second Die Faust hunkered forward with straight punches and stepped inside to throw the uppercut, but Pichkunov's defense was sound, although Die Faust did clock him soundly with a right. In the third Pichkunov strived to score with low kicks, while Die Faust, leaning forward, made the most of his upper body strength, pumping in body blows and tight hooks. The judges saw a draw and called for a tiebreaker round.

Here, Pichkunov repeatedly jabbed and threw low kicks at the ever-approaching Die Faust, until, in the final seconds, the exhausted pair simply slugged it out from in close. Once again, judges could not pick a winner, and a final tiebreaker was prescribed. This time Pichkunov stayed with the low kicks, stinging his opponent; while Die Faust attempted combinations -- but neither fighter got through to do serious damage. A tough one to call, the split decision giving Pichkunov the win by the narrowest possible margin.

The nine-bout card started with a couple of Japanese fighters, Takashi Tachikawa, who came out of the K-1 Tryout series and is known for his low kicks; and Hiroyuki Enokida, a seidokaikan stylist improbably making his K-1 debut at age 37. This was a bizarre fight. Four seconds after the bell, Tachikawa deposited his rotund opponent with a punch. Enokida beat the count, only to be laid out again immediately after resumption. This was looking like a laughably one-sided affair, when suddenly Enokida smacked through a right hook that KO'd Tachikawa. Three downs in 40 seconds!

In undercard action, Tsuyoshi Nakasako of Japan beat compatriot Takumi Sato by decision; and Tsutomu Takahagi of Japan KO'd Kyoung Suk Kim of South Korea.

The K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Yokohama attracted a crowd of 10,629 to the Yokohama Arena. It was broadcast live across Japan on the Fuji TV network, and will be shown on a delayed-basis in a total of 135 countries around the world. For local broadcast information, contact your provider. Check with the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp) for comprehensive coverage of this and all K-1 events.

citace :

Aleksandr Pichkunov

Q: What do you think of your fight?

A: First of all, I would like to thank to the Kyokushin staff, friends and Ichigeki team member for their support. Chalid was a good fighter. He has good punches as I said at the previous interview.

Q: Do you have any damage?

A: I have some damages but not bad ones. These are just regular damages that I usually get with Karate fights.

Q: What is your goal of this year?

A: I already answered that question before. I don’t think I need to repeat it.






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Chalid "Die Faust"

Q: How do you feel now?

A: Very bad.

Q: Do you have any damage?

A: I have no damage. I guess this time I lost myself. I don’t want to make any excuse but I wasn’t really focused...well I became a father. So my mind was on my baby rather than my fight.

Q: When did you become a father?

A: A day before my departure. It’s a girl, her name is Lupuna.

Q: You have fought with Glaube who comes from the same Ichigeki team as Pichkunove. What do you think about him compared to Glaube?

A: No big differences between the two fighters. Fighting against Glaube, I was able to train only for 10 days, and was also injured. This time, I wasn’t focused because as I said, I just became a father. For some reason, I cannot prepare well when I fight with Karate fighters. But I can say that Pichkunov is not ready for the top level yet. Because, I was able to predict his maneuvers in advance.





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Petr Vondracek

Q: How do you feel about your performance?

A: I completely lost today. I was not in good condition...10 days ago I finally felt good about this fight. I am still not sure that I made the right choice to fight this time. I had some chances to finish Noda, but I couldn’t take those chances...I wasn’t in good condition, that’s why.

Q: What do you think about Noda?

A: Noda was well prepared. On the other hand, I wasn’t. I always want to win when I get in the ring...bad weather outside, and bad condition with myself. Just out luck...I haven’t tasted victory in a long time. I am so unhappy that I cannot win recently.





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Mitsugu Noda

Q: How do you feel now?

A: I was very nervous. It’s been a year since my last K-1 fight.

Q: You defeated Cyril Abidi and this time Petr. You are doing good against overseas fighters?

A: Well, my goal is to do well in the Japan GP. I will put my all effort to win the Japan tournament.

Q: It seems that you just made a good start?

A: Yes, I think so too. I need to work more on my combinations and have a good result this year.

Q: Are you ready for the Japan GP?

A: Tough Japanese fighters gather for the tournament...but I will do my best to win. I train hard and I will be ready by then.


Q: What is your impression of your opponent?

A: Similar type of fighter, I think. So I set up my game plan to stop Petr coming forward. I had difficult time at the beginning, but I think I did well in the end.





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Mighty Mo

Q: Any damage?

A: I just have some damage from the low blows. It is still painful.

Q: How do you feel about the result?

A: Maeda was running around and clinching all the time. And he gave me low blows. I think I should have won the fight. I am not happy with my performance today...I don’t want to make any excuse but I was not with 100% condition. I really wanted to have a good fight.

Q: You just said that you were not 100% condition, why?

A: I have been sick for three weeks. So I couldn’t train well. I have a sore throat and stuffy nose, as well as some sinus problems that I am taking antibiotics for right now.

Q: You would win this fight if you were in 100% condition?

A: I think I could win this fight if I was in good condition for sure. My opponent was running around all the time... I definitely want to have rematch. If I can, I am sure I win clearly by KO.





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Ewerton Teixeira

Q: What do you think of your debut fight?

A: I feel very good because I won. It wasn’t 100% perfect fight, but I am satisfied with my performance.

Q: What is the difference between Karate and K-1?

A: The distance is different. I need to train hard to make this adjustment.

Q: What is your impression of Fujimoto?

A: He was a strong fighter. I had to be very careful with my defense all five rounds because Fujimoto was very powerful.

Q: You got some punches on your face?

A: Yes. But I was able to keep myself calm.

Q: Did Mr.Isobe say anything after your fight.

A: He said “Congratulations. You did a good job. Debut fight is always tough one”.

Q: Did you feel any pressure because other Kyokushin fighters won their fights?

A: I didn’t feel pressure at all. Their victories made me feel more confident.

Q: Were you afraid of punching on your face?

A: I needed more training for that.

Q: It was a long fight. Was your stamina OK.

A: My stamina was no problem at all. I think I would have lost the fight if I didn’t have stamina to fight for 5 rounds.

Q: You took a down from Fujimoto with a punch. Did you expect that?

A: I trained for both hands and legs. It was good that I took a down with my hand.

Q: Would you like to keep on fighting with K-1 rules?

A: I would love to. I will keep on training for K-1. I will be looking forward to having another chance.

Q: What is your goal in K-1?

A: Just like other fighters, I also want to be the K-1 champion.

Q: How about fighting with Semmy?

A: I just do my very best if I have a chance to fight with him.





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Yusuke Fujimoto

Q: Why do you think you lost today.

A: That’s stamina. I thought I was winning till the third round. I should have finished Ewelton within the three rounds.

Q: Did you get any damage from his low kicks?

A: I had too many low kicks. Later I felt the pain. I need to work on blocking low kicks properly.

Q: What is your impression of Ewelton?

A: He can defense well and he has good low kick skills. He really showed what Kyokushin champion had.





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Semmy Schilt

Q: How do you feel now?

A: I am feeling good. I won the fight with KO. It can’t be better than this.

Q: Mark Hunt came back to the K-1 ring in 5 years?

A: Besides what I think about him, he was a K-1 champion before. Now I have achieved to defeat the all K-1 champions.

Q: Mr.Tanikawa complains that there is no fighter for you.

A: That’s is not my problem. (Laughter)

Q: Ewelton, the Kyokushin World Champion had a great fight today.

A: I didn’t watch his fight at all. Do I want to fight with him? I am the K-1 champion...I just wait for a good fight offer.

Q: Do you plan to fight in MMA?

A: Maybe...if I get offers.





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Mark Hunt

Q: What do you think of your fight?

A: Semmy caught me well with the spinning kick. I didn’t see it at all.

Q: What was your game plan.

A: I was trying to see what Semmy was trying to do in the first round. But you know how it ended.

Q: You have been away from K-1 for 5 years. Did you see any change today.

A: I felt some changes, but I lost today because Semmy got me before I get him.

Q: Will you keep on fighting in K-1?

A: Well...I just came back in 5 years and fought against the current champion. Semmy has very dangerous kicks. I would be able to continue to fight if I could predict it was coming. I thought it was back hand blow.

Q: How about fighting with MMA rules?

A: I think I have a better chance to win. Please be nice to me...I didn’t fight in K-1 for 5 years!

Q: Have you ever been knocked out before?

A: Uh...I don’t know. Is it my first time??





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Keijiro Maeda

Q: How do you feel about your fight?

A: I am not satisfied with my performance at all. Fighting sports events are struggling hit high TV ratings these days...I wanted to entertain the TV audience, but I couldn’t. If I have a chance to be in the Japan tournament this year, I promise I will show you an exciting fight.

Q: What do you think about the decision?

A: I couldn’t become aggressive even though I knew that Mo was running out of gas.

The judges make the decision. I have nothing to say about it. I just wanted to impress the audience with my fight today.

Q: Your low kicks were hurting Mo well.

A: Yes, Mo was in pain. It could have been more exciting if I used my hands as well. I wanted make my fight as exciting as last March. I hope my next can entertain the audience.

Q: You are the first Japanese fighter to defeat Mighty Mo.

A: I have described him as beef cattle. I was not able to cook him well today.

Q: Which Japanese fighter would you like to fight against in the Japan GP?

A: Nobody has stronger hands than Mo. Musashi or Fujimoto...I don’t care.

Q: Your last fight was an opening fight.

A: Today was my first fight in the main program. I guess I fought too safe today.





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Alex Roberts

Q: How do you feel about your fight today?

A: Damn it!! Glaube stopped me with his punch and I couldn’t see his high kick coming at all. I learned a lot today...but this kind of lessen is enough for once.

Q: What is your impression of Glaube?

A: I thought I was well prepared for his Brazilian kick...but maybe not enough.

Glaube is a strong fighter. He showed me what K-1 top fighters have.

Q: What made you slow down?

A: I think the upper gave me a good damage and stopped me. I really would like to have another chance.

Q: Would you like to have rematch with Glaube?

A: Yes, but I need to train for K-1 more. I need more experience. I couldn’t use my middle and low kick. It was my mistake that led Glaube pressure me.

Q: Did your students come to see your fight?

A: Yes, my Karate students came to see me, but no one from my English classes. They probably watched my fight on TV.

Q: Would you like to fight in K-1 again?

A: Of course. Even though I lost today, K-1 fits my fight style.

Q: How about participating in the Japan GP?

A: I would love to fight for it since I live in Japan.





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Ray Sefo

Q: How do you feel now?

A: Badr is young and talented. I controlled the fight at the beginning, but everything changed when his knee caught me. The fight didn’t last that long...I did what I could. I have nothing to say about the result. We fought fair each other, and the fight was exciting. It was a lot better than putting a long and boring fight.

Q: Do you think that your defense wasn’t good?

A: My defense wasn’t bad, I think. My condition was good, so I though that I could win today. But one punch can change the fight. Badr fought with speed. Today was his day, that’s all. I will keep on fighting and showing exciting fights.





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Badr Hari

Q: How do you feel now?

A: Feeling good. My game plan worked well today. I promised that I would finish Ray with KO at the press conference yesterday. You saw what I did, right? I feel good with myself and I am very confident now. Generation changing is happening right here right now...it is time for the young fighters like me.

Q: Ray said that one single attack can change the fight.

A: Fights can be finished with KO as you blink. Maybe Ray was blinking so he missed his chance to finish me. A real fighter won’t miss his chance to finish his opponent any time.

Q: Who will be your next opponent?

A: I am ready for anybody. If someone wants to challenge my title, that is no problem at all.

Q: Are you interested in the Super Heavyweight title?

A: I don’t need to gain weight. If K-1 wants me to fight for the title, I can do it. But I don’t want to become heavier just for the title.





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Junichi Sawayashiki

Q: Musashi made some complaints about this fight card.

A: I don’t care what Musashi thought about the fight card.

Q: Did you feel the deference between Musashi and yourself?

A: I don’t remember the fight well. I need to watch my fight before making any comment.

Q: What do you think Musashi’s strength is?

A: I don’t know.

Q: What was your game plan for the fight?

A: Pressuring him was my game plan.

Q: Unfortunately, your game plan didn’t work well.

A: The result showed me so.

Q: What do you think about Musashi as a fighter?

A: I have nothing to say...I don’t remember my fight.





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MUSASHI

Q: You put some ice on your knee. Do you have any damage?

A: I just got bruised. I didn’t have any damage from low kicks.

Q: You have prevented the generation change.

A: I thought that Sawayasiki needed more experience. It was too soon. I have been competing against with the top-level fighters. Fighting with a young Japanese fighter is not what I wanted. I have made some complaints about this fight card...finishing with KO made me feel better. Sawayashiki is a good fighter with the bright future. I would like FEG to spend enough time to make Sawayashiki a better fighter.

Q: Did you feel the pressure that you must win this fight?

A: Generation change, I have been through this kind of fights before. I didn’t feel any pressure at all. But fighting with a Japanese fighter gives me a different type of pressure than overseas fighters.

Q: What do you think about Sawayashiki’s skill?

A: I think he is good. He needs more experience, that’s all. I want to say to him, “Don’t give up, and train hard”. I will be waiting for the young Japanese fighters to become worthy opponents.

Q: What was your game plan.

A: I tried not to give him any chance to do his fight.

Q: What would you do if Sawayashiki was running around?

A: If he was running around, I would provoke him, like Ray Sefo does.

Q: Fighting for the Japan GP?

A: I haven’t thought about it yet. But I don’t think I need to do so. I don’t mind fighting for one match, but not for the tournament.

Q: Are you saying that your next opponent should be an overseas fighter?

A: I don’t need to fight with Japanese fighters anymore. I think I have proved enough today.

Q: Last year, you have difficulties to keep your own distance. How did you solve the problem?

A: I have been working on this problem with my trainer. Many people say that I always fight for points. That’s not true.

In order to be competitive with top fighters, I have to be aggressive, patient and motivated.

Q: Will you challenge for the heavyweight title again?

A: Badr is a young fighter who is doing well so far. When the fight is arranged, I will be well prepared for it.