A1 Press Conference Review... and The Final Draw

[admin]

Okay guys

Just got back from the press conference at the COUGAR BAR at Telstra Dome... cameras from Channel 10 and SBS were on hand.

I have to say that "The Phantom" Pat Cristofi and "The One Man Gang" Mario Phlorides stole what was a very entertaining press conference. This heavyweight grudge match is gonna go off.

Said Mario: "Pat has had, what, 40 fights, but he is a pretender. Who has he fought? Name me one quality opponent he has fought? Nobody! He is a pencil neck and I'm gonna snap him like a little pencil. At the end of the fight there will be two cars outside: an ambulance and a divvy van... Pat will be riding in the ambulance, and after what I do to him they will probably lock me up in the divvy van."

The champion bodybuilder, who turned 40 two days ago, went on to say: "He's not even a real heavyweight. What does Pat weigh? 85 kilos? I weight 98 of pure muscle. What do you think will happen when I drive these fists, with these arms (flexes a massive bicep) into the face of an 85 kilo man on Sunday?"

Pat took it all in his stride and said: "Mario is a joker. He has never had a fight and will get a reality check on Sunday. This is kickboxing, not bodybuilding, this is my game, my turf. One kick off my left leg is all it will take to shut his big mouth. He may have 20 inch arms but he has a one inch brain and something else that is just as ****ing small. You're a joke, Mario and everyone will see it on Sunday. It's reality time. You call yourself the One Man Gang... well buddy, I'm the Gang Buster!"

The two then had a bit of a push and shove with Mario tearing off his top and flexing a double biceps pose for the cameras!

The A-1 fighters in attendance were: Gurkan Ozkan, Mike Zambidis, Sergey Ershov, Headhunter and Baris Nezif.

Zambidis says he has been training in Japan for this one and has a "lot of new tricks" that he can't reveal but will show everyone on Sunday night and will "blow people away." He said: "I respect everyone of my opponents and I know Gurkan is after a rematch, but this for me will be an easy night. I'll win it easily."

Gurkan was very restrained, though he did stand up to speak. "Im not gonna throw water today, Im calm, and when Im calm Im dangerous. I have none of the emotional problems of last time... I'm focussed. Im just concentrating on destroying my first opponent. And that's what I will do. Destroy him. Then onto opponent two. This belt belongs to me."

Baris Nezif says he'd like to rematch Zambidis: "When I fought him he was an unknown. But now it is a different Baris Nezif and I have been waiting four years to fight Mike again. All I say is BEWARE the patient man. Mike will need God on his side on Sunday night."

To this Zambidis said: "When I fought Baris I was different. I was young and naive. Now I am older, more powerful and will not take so long to knock him out if we meet. It will be over quickly."

The DRAW IS:

GROUP A

Gurkan Ozkan vs Frank Nadje
Sergey Ershov vs Headhunter

GROUP B

Mike Zambidis vs Pete Spratt
Baris Nezif vs Prince Hamid



Michael Schiavello




-Editor-
International Kickboxer
Fox Sports
Fox 8
MAIN EVENT
TV2 - TVNZ

* TV2 - The K-1 GP is Coming Your Way Soon!!

"He's doing the chicken dance... bork bork bork!"

[John Cav]

Hey Michael,
It took me half an hour to find my car, I know you are going to p*ss yourself laughing when you read this. :)

Still kicking strong at 43!

[BULLET]

It's Very interesting to see who is "expected" or dare i say "handpicked" to go through to the 2nd round after the 1st round bouts....

who drew the matchup's and when were they drawn? On the day? At the press conference?

BULLET

[Lucjan]

I, for one, hope this rubbish doesnt make it it to the TV. Tell them to keep there clothes and go and work on some technique.

Its a shame that the two fgihters with the least talent in the line up will probaby make it to the late night news and the others probably wont.

But then again I guess that any publicity is good publicity but I dont think this does anything to help the image of kickboxing.

Thank goodness for muay thai and the WMC shows eg:Evolution





Edited by - Lucjan on 24 Nov 2004 13:59:38

[Lucjan]

BULLET....

your right the draw is rigged, so Tarik can do all he can to get gurkan vs zam in the final.

[Bushi]

Ah the love fest <img src=icon_smile_kisses.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_kisses.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_kisses.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_kisses.gif border=0 align=middle>that was the A1 press conference. I was expecting some real action..

Mr. Commetti, I was going to come and introduce myself but had to run...

I was expecting a bit more from Ozkan and Zambidis, but they looked like old mates....I was wondering what Iron Mike was going to do when Gurkan picked him up....

I agree, Pat and Mario was the most exciting....shame Prince Hamid and the others weren't there....

Anyway, looks like it's all set for a Zambidis / Ozkan final, let's hope on the day the fights are good quality, no (NSW) judging decisions and the 2 clear winners on the night make it to the final.

Bullet, surely you're not suggesting this has been set up for No Respect 3 in the Final...it couldn't happen could it !<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> Victoria wouldn't do a thing like that in the fight game !!!

BTW, what other support matches apart from Pat and Mario are on the card !!




Edited by - zdkbushido on 24 Nov 2004 13:59:56

[Lucjan]

I would also like to quote HAMMER (if I may) who said this on anotther thread

"Be informed and make a decision for the best of the sport
We don't want to attract try hard tough guys and thugs.
We want to promote good sportsmanship and great technique
that's what will make the Martial Art / Sport and get the
fighters and promoters the rewards they deserve, and get the
respect from the sporting public when they watch."

well that kind of behaviour at the press conference will attract try hard tough guys and thugs, and doesnt promtoe sportmanship or technique. And using language (re: the joke about an opponets penis size) from the gutter, doesnt help the image of the sport nor is it in line with what martial arts is all about. maybe tarik could of called this show no respect 3

[JANER]

Kickboxing is back!







Thanks maaaaaaaaaaaaate!
Janer <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

- Underworld Figure -
* Legalising all girl swinger clubs
* Multi-Billionaire
* Virgin Convertor
-------------------------------
"Seriously, what did you expect?"

[admin]

LOL @ Janer....

I cant wait... bring it on!

Michael Schiavello

-Editor-
International Kickboxer
Fox Sports
Fox 8
MAIN EVENT
TV2 - TVNZ

* TV2 - The K-1 GP is Coming Your Way Soon!!

"He's doing the chicken dance... bork bork bork!"

[John Cav]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but we may get to see two re-matches on the same night Zambo v. Baris and Zambo V. Ozkan? Assuming Zambo wins.
I'm not writing the other fighters off, just a bit unsure. Tarik did talk up the American as a bit of a talker with the goods to match the mouth.

This will be an interesting night!



Still kicking strong at 43!

[SPADA]

Lucjan.... you are right about the image thing.

Tarik looks like he has stole a script off the K1.
"the one man gang" is nothing more then a side show
along the same lines as Bob Sapp or Akenbono.He may bring an
entertainment aspect to this show,but at nearly 40 years of age....
could his 1st fight be also his "retirement" fight??????

On the draw of the lineup.... how on earth does all 4 (Gurkan,Headhunter,Bariz and Zambidis) not get to face each other in the 1st round.If the draw was fair,at least one of the 1st match ups would have had a couple of them fighting in the 1st round.<img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle>

As for Nezif getting his revenge on Zambidis.... I bet "Prince"
Hamid might have something to say about that.

All in all.... sounds like a good night.... I hope Tarik has at least
got his act together and puts on a decent undercard this time.


cheers Spada

[Bushi]

Guys,

It was pretty tame, with only a little trash talk for the cameras.

Genuinely there where smiles off camera and good comraderie between most, mind you I didn't see Pat and Mario together before it started.

Genuine sincerity from what I saw between Gurkan and Iron Mike, and Headhunter and Sergey sat next to each other and Stanley patted Sergey on the leg as they where about to talk. Let's face it, these guys all respect each other and are professionals.

Reality is, there didn't seem to be any real agro between them, Sergey and Headhunter sparred earlier in the year according to Solak with Sergey knocking Stanley out with a head kick....get on that, and obviously Tarik trains and manages these guys including Baris, so there is friendship in the camp, but obviously once it's in the ring...it's white line (or rope in this case) fever.

But having been there and seeing it with my own eyes, it was theatre but good to see the genuine respect for each other as professional ELITE sportsman.

Let's just hope that Sunday night is fought in the true manner that it deserves with no dodgy decisions to suit...I'll be there.

As for the draw, as a promoter Tarik has the right to match it the way he wants, to bring the best possible scenario for the fans. No point having Zambidis and Ozkan as the 1/4 final. You want to see the best make it to the final, but this also gives the "underdogs" the chance to make a name for themselves....remember a guy called Mark Hunt....Jeremey Allen at Judgement Day....

Funnier things have happened.

"Yours in Bushido"

Edited by - zdkbushido on 24 Nov 2004 14:50:53

[admin]

Whether you love the hype or you hate the hype, fact is (unfortunately) that to fill a massive arena like the Vodafone you need mainstream media and the media will only come to a press conference to see a ****-slagging match and maybe a push or biffo and not to watch two fighters shake hands, smile and say "May the best man win with refined technique." That's the nature of the beast, boys. Sadly, every fight sport does it... it doesnt mean that the fighters are any less for it, but just that they are forced to play the media game.What would they have to show on Sports Tonight if it was just Gurkan sitting there saying, "Good luck Michael Zambidis, he is a great fighter, and I will show you all what quality athletes we are on Sunday". That's zzzzzz for the TV networks. Man, just look at Muhammed Ali... he used to say some stuff about opponents that was insane... the stuff he unloaded on poor George Foreman in every media conference, sheesh! But hey, do you hold it against Ali? Nope. He talked it up, the crowds came, and he backed it up in the ring. I just hope that once again all of these fighters can back it up on Sunday night (and no, im not comparing ozkan or Mario to Ali... just making an analogy about talking the inevitable talk).

As for the draw, I think it's a terrific line-up... headhunter and Sergey will be a corker, two excellent kickers, one with great leg kicks Kyokushin style and the other with great head kicks.

Prince Hamid comes off a fantastic showing at the K-1 Max and is red hot ATM... he is what Baris used to be four years ago if you ask me... should be an excellent fight if Hamid turns it on and Baris looks pumped.

Zambo will be done NO favours by Spratt who is trained by the great Maurice Smith. Maurice is not gonna put a bum in the line-up.

Gurkan has Frank Nadje, who all i know he is a Muay Thai fighter who is a terrific leg and body kicker... this could spell trouble for Gurkan, remember those rib problems? I'm sure Gurkan would have rather fought Sergey as Kyokushin stylists are renowned for their less than solid chins as they dont take punches to the head in contests.

As for Mario and Pat... yes of course it's all hype (duh) but if you dont hear the biggest applause of the night for these two...

Im gonna have myself a fun nite! Hope to see some of you there! ZDK come say hello next time ya banana!

Michael Schiavello

-Editor-
International Kickboxer
Fox Sports
Fox 8
MAIN EVENT
TV2 - TVNZ

* TV2 - The K-1 GP is Coming Your Way Soon!!

"He's doing the chicken dance... bork bork bork!"

[Axekick157]

Hi Admin,

Just wondering what time the show actually kicks off.

Cheers
Axekick

[BULLET]

Im sorry but I dont agree with handpicking the drawcard. How does this promote "the man best" to go through to the final. I dont care what the crowd wants to see. In fact, If i was going to fly down to Mlebourne and pay bull**** prices to go and see this super dooper whoppy doo dah tournament (that one's for you zdkbushido HAHA) I would prefer to see an early upset between two bigger names.

Paul Grima has a show on this Saturday night, where the 8 man tourny is being drawn on the night. This is fare on the fighters and especially the the fans. Should be a good set of fights.

A1 Still doesn't have my support. It seems like Tarik is running out of big name fighters...

BULLETS OPINION.

[admin]

7pm kick off Axe.

See you there!

Michael Schiavello

-Editor-
International Kickboxer
Fox Sports
Fox 8
MAIN EVENT
TV2 - TVNZ

* TV2 - The K-1 GP is Coming Your Way Soon!!

"He's doing the chicken dance... bork bork bork!"

[Axekick157]

Thanks Michael,

Look forward to seeing another great event..

Regards,
Axekick

[Bushi]

Banana.....<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

You where busy when I got there and had a lunch date...let me think, meet the man or lunch....sorry Michael, next time...

I even had a business card to give you (with ZDKBUSHIDO) written on it...lol

see you soon

"Yours in Bushido"

[admin]

Yeah I woulda chosen lunch too... LOL


Michael Schiavello

-Editor-
International Kickboxer
Fox Sports
Fox 8
MAIN EVENT
TV2 - TVNZ

* TV2 - The K-1 GP is Coming Your Way Soon!!

"He's doing the chicken dance... bork bork bork!"

[Lucjan]

regardless if it was tame or staged, it still makes kickboxing look really stupid and bad. Leave that rubbish for the WWF

[sirbillyg]

cant wait for sunday
ill b getting my tickets for sure now seeing as zambo was at the press conference :)
i love watching him fight.

go zambo to win it all ahahhahaha


:)<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

[paul c]

I honestly don't understand some of you guys.

The guys that get your sport noticed get trashed for it.

Who on earth wants to watch martial arts executed in perfect form. **** man, it was hard enough taking my daughter to Karate classes?

I for one don't care about technique.

I want to watch a savage war under a prescribed ruleset.
These guys are getting you other blokes whom would go unnoticed some attention.


The draw,

Think about this for a moment.

Lets say they put in Zam Vs Ozkan straigh out in the first.
One gets eliminated straight away.

Then two of the weekest fighters get drawn to fight in the first go.


How does that make for a better show fellas?


Look, there is merit for drawing out of a hat, I absolutely agree with that approach.

But, this card is not full of equally capable fighters, so what's wrong with making it a more exciting event fellas?


Edited by - paul c on 24 Nov 2004 18:30:41

[sirbillyg]

i agree with paul c
hopefully zambidis fights both gurkan and nezif and beats em both.
ive got both their fights against zambo and they some of the best fights ive seen, so to get this all in one night is great.

and hopefully zambidis wins it all.
yes i know im a zambo fanboy but ahh well gotta love him his a champ.


:)<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

[Glass Jaw]

I fancied Prince to win the MAX just gone and he proved himself, but minus knees I don't know if he can be AS effective.

He vs Baris IMHO is the fight of the night.

Ozkan
Ershov
Zam (will have hard fight, Spratt chopped Lawlor, agood striker in UFC with awesome leg kicks)
Prince

Ozkan
Zam (close again, but too good with distancing)

hmmmmmmmmmm, Zam i think?

[shtaka]

In my opinion I don’t blame the fighters one bit it’s a big pay day for them and if I was in there shoes id go the same thing.
As for needing mainstream media and getting it by acting like ****heads thats completely wrong I don’t agree with that look at Kostya Zszyu not one bad word comes out of his mouth and he has trouble shaking the media off they are happy with at least a smile off him that’s respect to a fighter.
We can keep bringing Ali up, he is and was the greatest but that was Ali no one can be or even act like him cos he was one of a kind and how he promoted his fights suited him and not fighters that are fighting 30 years later!

As for Pat Cristofi really, I think Mario has a very good point who has he fought apart from his hand picked opponents I mean one opponent needed a guide dog to find the ring. I ask anyone if they can think of a worthy opponent to let me now cos I tell u what I can’t.
This guy Mario it might me his first fight and Pat having 40 (pretend) fights I tell u what after seeing the push he gave Pat on TV and Pat having to run back to the cameras my money would definitely be on Mario.

As for the hand picked draw that’s one of the reasons I won’t be there Sunday apart from that I don’t support ANY solack promotions any more. I mean where were the other fighters at the conference ant they part off this promotion???? And what’s with A1 is this tariks K1 so he can do as he pleases!

Well hope for all u that go that it turns out to be good night and u get ur moneys worth (will have to be a dam good show) and may the best man win (yeah right).
Ones again to jugging the fighters as its money for jam for them but it’s really sad to see what’s happening to kickboxing it’s almost painful!!!!

[JANER]

"These guys are getting you other blokes whom would go unnoticed some attention"

I agree with Paul 110%





Thanks maaaaaaaaaaaaate!
Janer <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

- Underworld Figure -
* Legalising all girl swinger clubs
* Multi-Billionaire
* Virgin Convertor
-------------------------------
"Seriously, what did you expect?"

[allanf]

is Their like an small undercard before Ozkan kicks off the tournament, or do we see Ozkan the first fight of the night???? Because people might be comming in late and could possibly miss Gurkan's fight if his the first in the card.

[harls]

Glass Jaw, I think that would be the fight of the night too(Prince v Nezif).

Bullet, I don't think the draw should be handpicked either. Oh well, doesn't matter to me really.

Mario v Pat might be interesting. I predict a sloppy affair. Pat going for the legs and Mario using wrestling tactics.



"Pain is the best Teacher, but no one wants to take his class"

[supermario]

Wasn't Headhunter supposed to take on Mike Zambidis in the first round?? I thought that was a really interesting matchup, why did it change?? Zambidis was the hot favourite, but I really wondered if Iron Mike could take a size 14 boot to the head.

[k1_fighta]

Hi guys, the press conference was quite good.

Cristofi and Phlorides where giving each other some looks before the cameras where even rolling.

Ozkan made me have a bit of a laugh even off camera, seems to have a great personality said a quick hello out side he was all smiles and jokes 'really made my day'.

I agree 100% with you Michael for a kickboxing event to sell out a place like Vodaphone you need the 'Hype', its what sells tickets for the public. What sells tickets for me.......Ozkan!! i will defently have to get a photo with him next time, Shiavello you will have to jump in aswell... Cant wait till Sunday!!


------
Clinton. S

[harls]

Great personality, as long as you don't do any work on his house!!! He He.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Supermario, I thought Zam v Stanley "the knife" Nandex were fighting in the first round too. Would have made a better match up. How would Zam hold up to those roundkicks??????????

"Pain is the best Teacher, but no one wants to take his class"

[k1_fighta]

Cant wait, i heard Baris say that he was only going to be on the undercard of the show until getting the call up. So does that mean there will be more matches on the night??

PS. loved Ozkans Kickboxing jacket anyone know where you can pic one up from??

------
Clinton. S

[k1_fighta]

Cant wait, i heard Baris say that he was only going to be on the undercard of the show until getting the call up. So does that mean there will be more matches on the night??

PS. loved Ozkans Kickboxing jacket anyone know where you can pic one up from??

------
Clinton. S

[SPADA]

Harls & Supermario ..........

Certain fighters in the draw have been given an "easier"
passage to hopefully make it to the final.I think it sux
and we all know what happened when Mike Cope forgot to read the script.

It has been pointed out that it will have a great final if all goes to plan

e.g Gurkan vs Zambidis or Nezif vs Zambidis

both will be good fights all the same,but I can't help but think...is this A1 concept...really the best vs the best??????

Kelly Seif's Judgement Day doesn't seem to do this.... and that is why
I still rate it as great 8 man tourney.

Daniel Dawson vs JWP 1st round... no favours there.

I have been to 3 of Tarik's shows over the years:-
K1 Queensland
and both Suncorp shows.
his shows are always top notch regarding fireworks,smoke machines the ladies around ringside...ect

But for this to really succeed, Tarik has to put his hand in a hat and
draw the names out fairly.... regardless who is training out of his gym.

I have nothing against Melbourne shows liking kickboxing,but I would
say that Ray would have to be the No 1 promoter now with him getting
the rights to the K1 Max.He will have a host of fighters around the 70-72 kgs queing up to have a crack.

Oh yeah.... that bob-sled foot of the "headhunter" might be ready to go again.Pity he didn't get a chance to try to use it against a shorter fighter like "Zambo".

cheers Spada

[sooty]

It is obvious that most of the negative feedback concerning matching up the fighters by ballot (out of a hat) comes from us Fans, this pretty much comes from the fact that we know the fighters so well and the history associated with them.

The average joe (generalizing here) does not know who all of the fighters are and is prepared to be entertained by the fighters skill and the promotional format, as opposed to specific fighters.

Of course their will be many many people their representing their fav fighter, but i would say if you gave them a choice of seeing the 2 fighters who are considered by many as the most anticipating matchup then i would match them up as they have done on oppisite draws so that the possibility of the meeting each other wil be in the final (as in Gurkan & Zam).

We do this in Kyokushin all the time. It goes without saying that when the finals comes around we want to see the best 2 fighters meet, as opposed to some of the lesser ranked fighters defeating each other in the rounds and then making it to the finals only for the final fight to end up a complete dissapointment. Part of the ettiquette of this style of martial arts is to entertain and the fans or audience are the critics.

Now if we add TV coverage to this (Foxsports) then things i have stated above suddenly become 10 times as important, because of the 10's of 1000's of viewiers. ( maybe more, i would not have a clue).

osu



Mark [aka sooty]

[SPADA]

Fair points from Janer and Sooty

The thing is... if it is a combat cup A1,then there really shouldn't
be any "mismatches" should there?Have a look at the superleague and see what quality means.Everybody loves there fav fighter to get throught to a final,but 4 of the 8 are from the same gym/management.

Janer,you said:-
"Stablemates never put on a real,tough fight.Especially within
the same culture and have known each other for many many years."
You have hit the nail on the head.What will have in the 2nd round if all 4 get through????????

The K1 has Remy Bomjaski(current K1 champ) vs Ernesto Hoost(4 x times
K1 champ) in the 1st round.To have such a match up in the 1st round like that is a good thing.... considering anything does and will happen in an 8 man tourney.They could have put these guys on opposite sides of the draw considering their profiles... culture.... and they come from the same country.So...I do think that maybe that because both Zambidis and Ozkan are so popular in Melbourne,Tarik has done this for an audience' appeal.
I just don't think he will get good support elsewhere in Australia
if the "draw" is continued to be done this way.

Anyway... no whinging here <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

And yes... kickboxing is back in Melbourne!!!!!!!!!

cheers Spada

[nagas]

Question : is this show going to be on Fox?
or even a delayed telecast?

[sooty]

Osu SPADA, mate you have hit the nail on the head!

What i have described above would no doubt only be used if the standard of fighters is not considered equal, ie: superleague and the k1-Max.

But because "ALL" of the fighters in the A-1 are not fighters who i would not consider in the S1- or K1-max league then this sort of draw for the fighters should be considered if at the end of the night the final fight is one where we, us, them get to see the "best" of the lot.

osu

Mark [aka sooty]

[Bushi]

"But because "ALL" of the fighters in the A-1 are not fighters who i would not consider in the S1- or K1-max league"

Well said Mark....

Fair call....IMHO, Tarik is too busy promoting his own fighters and best interests (and b4 anyone shouts me down, yes i Know it's a business), it appears that Qld promoters GENUINLY do it for the love of the sport and die hard fans...

Nonetheless, I will be there to enjot it..

"Yours in Bushido"

[paul c]

History pertaining to anything is very important fellas.


Relating to the comment by ZDK...
I must admit the promoter that is continuosly amazing me lately is Ray Matsumura. He listens to us.

But before Ray, Tarik was doing the same........listening and lining up some huge fights. Remember the Parr Vs Bannan fight build up and how it eventuated. The Briggs vs Ozkan fight etc. Solak has done a hell of a lot to freak us out as well with fights that no one on Earth would have dreamt up.
I honestly didn't believe it when I heard Ozkan was going heavy-weight to fight for the K-1 glory. Then he's back down to his regular weight, only to shoot up again to fight the reigning Oceania champ of the time. Yeah I know, it was under no low kick rules........but still, a very imaginative match-up for television.

I don't know who was doing it before Solak, but big ups to them as well. To the person whom put on Alexio Vs Stan, mate I imagine that wouldn't have been too easy to knock up without a lot of thought and cash to make it happen.

Now Solak is pretty much on his own again without the support of K-1, and this being only his second home-town show for the year.

I know he has big global plans for A-1, but I honestly hope he doesn't repeat this year with only 2 Vic shows. I can see us loosing a lot of kickboxing fans in Victoria, and worse still many pro fighters should 2 Vic shows per year become the norm.



Edited by - paul c on 27 Nov 2004 00:25:53

[The Source]

"It's Very interesting to see who is "expected" or dare i say "handpicked" to go through to the 2nd round after the 1st round bouts...."

"Tarik is too busy promoting his own fighters and best interests"

"A1 still doesn't have my support..."

"I thought Zam v Stanley "the knife" Nandex were fighting in the first round too. Would have made a better match up."


So far this upcoming show has been consistently bagged by some people on here, and the tone has generally been negative as the above random comments I picked show.
To the people making a fuss over the draw, and insinuating pretty clearly that it's fixed for Zambidis and Gurkan to go through, I haver to seriously shake my head and wonder what's wrong with some of you guys.
I realise on the internet everybody can voice an opinion and everyone gets to play expert for a day, but do you people who question the draw and question why Zambidis' first opponent was switched from Headhunter to Pete Spratt REALLY know whats going on? Let me say this bluntly, Zambidis has arguably the HARDEST first round match. Do you guys think Maurice Smith would bring out a stiff or something? Pete Spratt is a legitimate top tier fighter, a real hard nut who is arguably the best low kicker on the card, CERTAINLY a harder first match that Headhunter, whose "bob sled feet" have knocked a string of low tier B fighters but have done squat against anybody with skills beyong that of a state level. Earlier today, at the rules meeting for the event which took place in Tarik's room at CrownTowers, private discussion among insiders centred on how Tarik has made the road rougher for Zambidis (who has spratt first and baris and hamid ALL inn his side of the draw), something not hard to understand when you consider the haggling that went on between Tarik and Mike concerning $ and the fact Mike nearly pulled out a few weeks ago. Bottom line is Mike has gotten no favors, not that he really needs one. Bottom line, if Zambidis stops Spratt in 1 round,it's NOT because Spratt was an "easy" fight.
Assuming Mike beats the American, he has either Baris or Prince Hamid. Easy? C'mon, be realistic. Mike may be the favorite on paper, but if you call this an easy draw and downgrade most of these guys as not being world class as has been said on this thread, you really are kidding yourselves, or just want to bag the show and cheapen it for the hell of it. If you look at Zambidis' draw and grudgingly say he has an easy "handpicked" path to the final, you either a) don't know that much or b) acknowledge Zambidis is just too good for those in his path. My point is, a lot of people seem overly confident when these make certain comments, like they know all the ins and outs and know how the whole setup works...rubbish, you can either take my word for it or not, but things are far more different behind closed doors than you think.
For the record, Zambides' only represenation at the rules meeting was Stan.
The fight between Mario and Pat, granted it's the circus event of the night, but what do you expect from what is a toughman contest. That's right, this is NOT classified a kickboxing fight. It officially is a toughman fight, because the Martial Arts board would not grant one of the competitors a license to fight. Thus the toughman loophole. A silly fight maybe, but no worse thasn the neverending garbage coming from the K1 corporation these days, and definitely not enough to bag an entire show over.

Much debate has been going on about the rules, guys as far as this card is concerned it could not be simpler. Punches, kicks, NO grappling whatsoever. Tarik stressed today that he wants constant action from the fighters, hence no holding or grappling for even a second. The second fighters tie up and not work out of it, it's broken up.
Guys, just enjoy the night, it's a big one and there aren't many like that.





Edited by - The Source on 27 Nov 2004 01:51:07

[shtaka]

The Source
"you can either take my word for it or not, but things are far more different behind closed doors than you think."

Mate i think ur absoloutly full of it!!!!

Just one question what makes u the expert in this situation????

[nagas]

Well said by the Source, i for 1 am spewing cause i won't be able to make my way down to Melbourne to see the show, if the atmosphere is anything like No Respect 2 the place will go off.
Plus all the hot women distracting you inbetween rounds.
Ill give Tarik Solak 1 thing, as a business man he knows what sells, the way he combines kickboxing & p**sy what else could a grown man want?

[The Source]

Like I said shtaka, you can believe me or you can believe whatever you want. What do I care, I'm only trying to give you a little perspective? if believing its rigged for people to win with absolutely no evidence is what makes you feel special and informed, go for it.

[S.M KIKBOXA]

does anyone know if is going to be a live broadcast on fox??

[Lucjan]

as far as i know its not a live broadcast.

i dint think fox were doing any live broadcatsa for Kickboxing ?

could be wrong though...

[k1_fighta]

It will be shown on fox by delay.

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Clinton. S

[shtaka]

The Source- and what evidence do u have that it isnt rigged????

[The Source]

Oh dear, you sound kind of hostile and angry? Look, you sound pretty tough and all so I won't argue with you. Yes, tomorrow's show is rigged, I was there when the scripts were handed out to the fighters after the weigh in earlier today. At the risk of spoiling the suprise, the night will end with Gurkan challenging Zambidis to a steel cage match. Happy now? Now relax, we agree with you, OK?

BTW, man didn't land on the moon, the Queen is a man, the freemasons shot JFK and McDonalds use mind controlling substances in their thick shakes.

[shtaka]

Thought u would see it my way, ur not that dumb after all!

[k1_fighta]

Its on tonight!!

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Clinton. S