Zambidis vs Albert Kraus

[JWP]

I was talking on msn to my Japanese friend and he was saying that Zambidis and Kraus are set to fight each other on the K-1 max. Not sure how true it is but would like to hear what everyone thinks. Kraus beat Chopper in the first round last year in Japan at the K-1 max and ended up winning the whole show. Here you have two big punches set to fight each other and both not knowing how to take a backward step. Looking forward to seeing the result of this one.
JWP

[harls]

I would love to comment but I haven't seen Kraus actually fight before, but it does sound like a fight I would like to see. I would like Kraus to win, as I believe Zambidis doesn't deserve to be fighting on the show. Why? because he didn't really win his fight with you Wayne and he shouldn't have been fighting on the Oz K-1 Max in the first place, as he is a resident of Geece.<img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>

[rebel]

One thing I am sick of is people talking like only there opinion counts. harls I have to say that you are not the sole judge and jury, you keep repeating yourself about zambidis and how underserving he is (like anyone who fights like them and shows what they do is undeserving), but for everyone like you there are people who agreed with the decision and even some of those who leaned towards JWP agree BOTH DESERVED A CHANCE because of the heart and skill they showed on the night! As a fan of Mike I think you are insulting to say he doesnt deserve a chance. You should try telling that to a guys face who has worked his ass off.



Edited by - rebel on 29 Jan 2003 14:25:42

[harls]

Well this is what a forum is for, to voice one's opinion! Don't get me wrong I never said Mike didn't work his ass off, he did. He is truly a world class fighter BUT, as a representive of Greece, why will he be representing Australasia and can anyone please explain why someone who is NOT a resident of the Australasian region, even fought on Tarik's show..<img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>

[paul c]

Probably to give the audience a chance to see the very best fighters in the world.

[harls]

I thought the very best fighters in the world were supposed to meet in the final in Japan...Each representing where they come from...

[John K]

So Harls, what tournament should zambidis have entered then? You seem to have the answers?

[John K]

Nice to see Mike is representing Australia in the superfight with Krauss. I saw the program elsewhere on the net. Kind of like how Kostya Tszyu represented Oz before he was even officially an Australian citizen. Will Mike be making this country his home soon???

[harls]

If Greece doesn't have a qualifier for the K-1 max, then it's just bad luck. It just isn't fair on the other native fighters. I wouldn't be opposed to him fighting on the next judgement day show, why? because it's open to any fighter. Nothing I've said about Mike is ill willed, it's just about fairness.

[paul c]

I think for next year that Tarik should make it clear what the entry pre-req is.

I still haven't seen an official statement saying that the fighter has to belong to the region. I agree that it is a rational line of thought, though, at the same time it could mean that the Oceania is the region which was or is willing to permit anyone whom fights in Australia.

I don't have a problem either way. I do think we as spectators will be missing out though, if a non resident rule was enforced.

I hope that Tarik will address this question and let us know what the go is.




Edited by - paul c on 30 Jan 2003 01:24:04

[harls]

Also Kostya shouldn't have represented OZ back then if that was the case. Funny how someone representing Australia overseas(Zambidis) doesn't even live in the area or speak english, I can imagine the surprise some of the people might get, when he gets interviewed and he starts speaking greek!

[harls]

I agree paul, it would be nice to know the policies..

[John K]

As shocked as we were when Tszyu couldnt speak english i guess. Harls, you think we should miss out on the worlds best middleweight kickboxer because of "fairness" yet this brilliant fighter shouldnt get a shot AT ALL because Greece doesnt have a qualifier according to you (partly because you wouldnt find anyone else in Greece one hundredth of what he is) Gee that sounds fair. Sounds like sour grapes from you harls.
I wonder how popular the K-1 max down here would be without Mike?

[Lucy Tui]

I was told that Zambidis had won the K1 max in Greece,i figure that Tarik should try to get JWP representing the Oceania & Zambidis representing Greece...that is a fair call for both of them.
Tarik seems to have some say in K1 Japan seen he is the Oceania Rep..I will ask him if that is possible next time I am in Melbourne...Michael Schivello why don't you guys ask him to be interviewed on the Chat line here I am sure there are alot of people who would like to ask him questions??? it won't hurt to ask him seen you guys are in Melbourne....what do you reckon???
Regards
Lucy Tui

[harls]

Thats a good idea Lucy. It could clear a few things up. John K, I don't think we are missing out on one of the worlds best, nor should we, I just think he should have sat this ONE particular event out for the obvious reasons I stated earlier. It's like JWP fighting on a greek K-1 max, winning it and representing Greece in the final in Japan! Come to think of it, if Mike is representing Oceania/Australia in the final, won't his Greek countrymen and women be happy about that.

[harls]

Also the K-1 Max would go on just fine without Mike, sure he is a popular fighter, but he is not the only one. The oceania region has many popular fighters all the same.

[sethridge]

i agree. K1 would be just the same without the greek. dawson could fill the spot or cope,percachik. there all just exciting to watch.

[mick]

come on guys, be fare. If Zam wants to fight here in australia let him, this is where the compitition is.
Look at Mark Hunt he is kiwi but we all call him australian.
JWP fought and won the kings cup and he isn't thai.
Fighters go where the competition is.

[JANER]

Why doesnt DAWSON enter the k1??

[Pete M]

mike isn't australian
he is Greek
he has nothing to do with being austalian (he carn't speak english)
and he doesn't deserve to be there he should go through the european k1
JWP was ripped off
jwp should be there flying the aussie flag
i hope mike gets ko'd first round by kruas
just like mike cope did to him in melbourne

[Pieman]

Sethridge - It seems odd that you say Zam shouldn't be fighting in the K-1 Oceania yet you say Perkachyk(From Belarus) should?

I don't have a problem with it as long as the import is living here and has fought here beforehand like in Zam's case.

Paul Briggs -&gt; Number One!
"A Champion is someone who gets up when he can't". Jack Demsey.

[John K]

Thats a lousy and bitter attitude Pete M. As a fan I have my favorites and everything but I never "hope" for someone to get hurt because of some sour grapes. Whats the guy done to you besides fight his ass off for us the whining, *****in never pleased fans? Harls the difference is Mike has ties with Australia because its his fighting base with his managers and promoter here, JWP obviously has no ties with Greece.

[Pete M]

i never questioned his abbilites as a fighter
but he shouldn't be allowed to represent the ocieana
region.
the only reason he fights here is so tarik can make money of him.



Edited by - Pete M on 30 Jan 2003 17:50:17

[paul c]

Pete,

Do you reckon the other promoters are just in it for a hobby?

Guys, I wanted Wayne to win also.
The fight was so friggen close, and they gave it to Mike. It would have been good to see the extra round, as I wasn't able to make my mind up until I saw it on Fox. But for gods sake, some of you are tallking as if it was the ripp-off of the century.

How big is Kickboxing in Creece?
Some one of Mike's calibre needs to be fighting off shore, Aus, Holland, Japan.

I can't think of too many other places in the world that would give him more than one or two decent opponents.

****, enough already.
I'm absolutely certain I've seen K1 heavy-weights fighting in different regional shows, and for the sake of quality I don't think it should change.



Edited by - paul c on 30 Jan 2003 20:58:16

[remy]

Your right Paul, k-1 heavyweights from different countries have fought on another country's qualifying tournament. There aren't qualifying tournaments everywhere in the world for middleweights. There are some countries that don't fall into a qualifying region for the k-1 max.
There was no K-1 max Greece. There was a tournament in Italy that Zam won but that wasn't a K-1 event. How about if there was no K-1 max oceania, would one object to JWP or Dawson being slotted into a k-1 qualifier somewhere in the world. One qualifying tournament in all of europe is not fair. There are many countries in europe. And only a couple competitive countries in Oceania.
I thought JWP won but am happy for a couple of other fighters to fight in oceania tournament. And i'm happy for Zam to represent Greece even if he qualified through a tournament that was held in Australia.

[mick]

This is for you Pete M. People can say what they like about fighters it is there opinion, but isn't it funny you can win a hundred fights but everybody bags you the moment you lose ( or think you lose JWP vs ZAM) Let's face it Zam is one of the best fighters in the devision, if not the best.

[sethridge]

i agree that zam shouldnt have fought in K1 oceania but he did so lets drop it whats done is done. would rather see JWP fight kraus but i hope that zam knocks him 4 six!

[JKLA]

People,
First of all, read the topic posted by JWP. He asked for comments on how Zambidis will go against Kraus, not for a #$%^&*# political debate on K1 regions and entry rules. Why are people having a go at Zam, did he request to fight in the K1 Oceana, NO HE WAS INVITED BY AUSSIE PROMOTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Put you anger where it is deserved and get your facts straight!
Now, to answer JWP, I think Zam should do ok against Kraus. Kraus went the distance with Chopper last year, winning on points, then taking the tournament. Personally I think that Zam would defeat Chopper quickly (as you did yourself), therefore he should have a good shot against Kraus.
Remember, most Aussie fighters (like yourself) know Zambidis's fight game and puching strength from watching him fight so often here in Aus, but I think he will be under-estimated when he enters K1 Japan.
Any chances of you getting a wildcard shot in Japan? Or was that just Tarik trying to crowd please?? After all, I heard Zam has already pre-qualified therefore you should be going to Japan by default as you are the runner up?

[harls]

I agree that enough has been said. In the final K-1 Max in Japan, I'm just hoping the best fighter on the day wins! I'm not supporting anyone in particular and I also hope that most of the fights don't get left to the judges! I would like to see Kraus in action too, as i've heard mixed reports about his fighting ability and i'd like to see him for myself.