Michael Schiavello
08-10-2002, 01:17 PM
Hi Guys
Well, we have TWO Oceania fighters through to the final of the K-1 GP in December for the first time ever!
Mark Hunt defeated Mike Bernardo by decision over an extension round and Ray Sefo defeated Martin Holm also by decision over an extension round to qualify for the final 8.
Both guys looked very good and I think come December, both will be on the money... this has been a great year for Sefo in which he is undefeated... after a wobbly midyear Hunt is looking back to his cracking best and told me he plans to train hard to defend his title.
The draw is as follows... plus my little wraps on each:
GROUP A
Ray Sefo vs Peter Aerts
--Should be the best of the quarter final fights. Aerts looks to be hitting his best form since he last won the GP in 1998, and Sefo is hungry and having a great year void of injuries.
Bob Sapp vs Semmy Schilt
--Battle of the giants as Sapp stands 6'8 and weighs 170kg and Schilt stands 2.12metres and weighs 120kg of muscle... Sapp defeated Ernesto Hoost fair and square and will rush at Schilt who is awkward to get in on given his height. Im tipping Sapp to win this one as Schilt's chin seemed a little suspect to me in Saitama when he got tagged in the last round by the light hitting Mike McDonald.
GROUP B
Stefan Leko vs Mark Hunt
-- A rematch of their semi final from last year... Sefo looked awesome in Saitama as he took apart Ignashov. Sefo is in his best shape under new trainers and will be hard to contain. Hunt is heavy at 130kg but will slim for the GP and be hard to upstage. I have to fancy Hunt to win this one, but Leko is a darkhorse.
Jerome LeBanner vs Musashi
-- LeBanner wasted Gary Goodridge inside a minute and looks like he will do the same to Musashi who just hasn't got the pepper nor the chin to match LeBanner's power.
My predictions...
Semi Final 1
Sefo vs Sapp
Semi Final 2
LeBanner vs Hunt
Final - ALL OCEANIA
Sefo vs Hunt
Winner... I aint that brave to pick it!!!! But I have said all year that Ray Sefo is looking the goods in a big way.
Well, we have TWO Oceania fighters through to the final of the K-1 GP in December for the first time ever!
Mark Hunt defeated Mike Bernardo by decision over an extension round and Ray Sefo defeated Martin Holm also by decision over an extension round to qualify for the final 8.
Both guys looked very good and I think come December, both will be on the money... this has been a great year for Sefo in which he is undefeated... after a wobbly midyear Hunt is looking back to his cracking best and told me he plans to train hard to defend his title.
The draw is as follows... plus my little wraps on each:
GROUP A
Ray Sefo vs Peter Aerts
--Should be the best of the quarter final fights. Aerts looks to be hitting his best form since he last won the GP in 1998, and Sefo is hungry and having a great year void of injuries.
Bob Sapp vs Semmy Schilt
--Battle of the giants as Sapp stands 6'8 and weighs 170kg and Schilt stands 2.12metres and weighs 120kg of muscle... Sapp defeated Ernesto Hoost fair and square and will rush at Schilt who is awkward to get in on given his height. Im tipping Sapp to win this one as Schilt's chin seemed a little suspect to me in Saitama when he got tagged in the last round by the light hitting Mike McDonald.
GROUP B
Stefan Leko vs Mark Hunt
-- A rematch of their semi final from last year... Sefo looked awesome in Saitama as he took apart Ignashov. Sefo is in his best shape under new trainers and will be hard to contain. Hunt is heavy at 130kg but will slim for the GP and be hard to upstage. I have to fancy Hunt to win this one, but Leko is a darkhorse.
Jerome LeBanner vs Musashi
-- LeBanner wasted Gary Goodridge inside a minute and looks like he will do the same to Musashi who just hasn't got the pepper nor the chin to match LeBanner's power.
My predictions...
Semi Final 1
Sefo vs Sapp
Semi Final 2
LeBanner vs Hunt
Final - ALL OCEANIA
Sefo vs Hunt
Winner... I aint that brave to pick it!!!! But I have said all year that Ray Sefo is looking the goods in a big way.