Stan The Man V Sam Greco

[JANER]

Hey Guys, last night I just borrowed out The Crowning from my local video shop. Wow, stan was ****en great! Sam Greco great but a pretty dirty fighter on the night!

I have seen many Stan fights and on the crowning he looks grouse. Reminded me of Gurkan ozkan but HEAPS better. As for Greco, he has a well built physique who is technical.

The Stan V Greco fight was purely a brawl. Why did they seem to hate eachother?? Even without Greco losing that point, Stan did land alot more blows... I cant see how greco won that fight, especially with the point take off!!

I want to see a rematch, it has to happen. IT must happen. And not in three rounds I want to see a 10 or 12 rounder! Its a matchup too good to be fought within 3rounds...

what are you thoughts on The Crowning and a rematch?

[Matt]

The build up to the fight was awesome. I was aware of Stan and Sam both training under Dana Goodson and his staement that Stan and Sam would not need to fight eachother as they have the whole world out there to fight. Stan and Sam were sparring partners and indeed good mates. I still remember walking into the newsagent to see the new IK mag featuring a big picture of Stan and Sam facing up at eachother with the heading declaring that they were going to go to war. Sam was adament that he was going to clean up his backyard, while Stan was pissed off over something to do with Chris Chronis I think? (anyone no the exact details?)The resulting fight was such an anti climax it was not funny. Stan did fight well. In my opinion he faught a lot better than he did at the Taipan 1 which was a few year prior. For someone who was so reved up and aggressive, Sam Greco seemed to be rather hesitant to initiate a clean attack and appeared to show Longinides too much respect to take the decision (aspecially after being deducted a point!)

A rematch would be good. It would have been better about four or five years ago. I dont think that it will ever happen though. Just like Stan vs Alexio II.


?

[remy]

I didn't see a clear cut win either way. It was too short and messy too realise who should have won. I would have had no problem if it was left to a draw and forced to extra rounds.
Janer, why do you say that Greco is a dirty fighter? Was it simply for the late knee. That surely doesn't constitute a dirty fighter.

[JANER]

Remy, the reason I said that was all the previous fights that night he ALWAYS through in a late knee.... He was decucted points throughout the night. Even the crowd and commentators made it obvious to me that greco's knees where out of the rules. I would say Greco is a dirty fighter, just that night seemed it was. thats all.

Was the final on another night? or on the same night? cause why did everyone automatically assume that they were in the final for certain?? im confused there.

[John K]

Remy, Greco was fouling all night. I vividly remember being there that night, the crowd went hoarse from booing him for all the fouls! The knee against Stan wasn't the only thing, his semi-final fight with Greene was terrible. Anyway I thought Stan was ripped off clearly, what little clean fighting there was was controlled mainly by him, and with the point deduction for the foul, I honestly can't see how Greco "won" the decision. JMHO.

[Citron]

I saw the Stan Vs Sam fight 2 weeks ago...

It started off really good...with both fighters at their maximum peaks & form.

Both fighters were fast & effective...especially Stan. Stan did catch Sam with his outstanding boxing skills in the beginning, which did seem to have affected Sam, if not surprised him.

I wasn't very happy with Sam's "knee" to Stan's face, I think that, that particular blow to Stan's face really did affect Stan's progress all throughout the way.

One hit to the head & you really don't feel normal anymore, a bit "mentally muted" by the sudden impact. So imagine a knee to the head!

And if it was intended, then Sam Greco is surely good at making it look like an "accident"...I rewinded that part a few times, and couldn't really judge if it was an accident or an intentional blow.
(Besides, I heard currently that Sam Greco has finally made it into Hollywood!) <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

BOth fighters ended the fight with "a lack of honour", with Stan then claiming that Sam 'head-butted' him.
I thought that Stan looked stupid at that particular moment for saying that, since I rewinded the tape many times & could not see the head butt. (But then after the "knee" incident, one does begin to doubt the integrity & intention of Sam Greco-this is perhaps what Stan felt).

ANd it was no doubt clear that Sam & Stan really did not like each other at all...that's sad, since I hear that they were really good friends & they did train together often.

This fight did actually affect The "politics" between Sam & Stan. Back then, I can clearly remember that students who trained in Stan's club did not like the students who trained in Sam's club...etc.. With Stan's students believing that Sam is a "dirty fighter", and hence, (& the usual!) The anger and hatred is taken out between the schools.

When one looks at it from the outside...it is clear that Sam is in this for the Money, rather than for the "integrity". Which is his "right"...considering the fact that the "ring is business" for Sam.

ALthough I admire both fighters. I really do think that there should have been a rematch. The Rematch I would have hoped would take this fight as a "real" combat; a combat that makes the audience fascinated by the degree of skills of both fighters but simultaneously displaying the good spirited nature of both fighters; the sportmanship quality, rather than Just a 'desperation for the money' combat.

WInning a fight by dirty means may give you the spotlight for some time, but it doesn't give you 'that' which lasts a lifetime...

[paul c]

The thing I remeber most about that fight, is wondering what the hell happened between those two guys. Apparantly they were pretty good friends at one stage.
I agree with all you guys. What little of it wasn't spent fouling seemed to belong to Stan. I felt he should have one.

[JANER]

Citron, you hit the nail on the head. It is so obvious that Greco is ONLY in it for the money... The point i like to add to your agrument is the post fight interview with the ring anouncer... There were heaps of his fans crowded around the ring and all sam had to say was "yeah, thanks." then " and I would like to mention the guys who came down from america"... that was so arrogant how he didnt fully aknowledge all his support, just my a simple "yeah thanks".

it left a sour taste in my mouth forever.

[delusion]

hey mate
i reckon stan & sam are ridicoulas mark hunt will KO them easily



jjkk

[bambam]

In thialand all the fights you see, have a kick while the fighter is on the way down and after the bell strickes . I think once you throw that technique ,in the ring it is full pace and strength. It is hard to pull that kick, or in this case knee, even for a 50kg thai who is very sharp, let alone 100kg plus fighter like greco, its basic theory of Inertia. The bigger the object once moving the harder it is to stop. Destparation also kicks when two fighters of this calibre are evenly challenged, it becomes more than a physical fight but a battle or their public credability.

[Citron]

No doubt that the "Law of Inertia" could have played a role in the 'Knee strike'. (Especially with Sam Greco's figure)
He could have attacked with his knee, and just couldn't stop it. (Perhaps?!)

OR maybe it was an 'unconscious' attack !!! (Money & "public credability" do have a hypnotizing effect on some humans - which is 'normal' !) <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>

But then again, the conduct & spirit of a fighter, has surely nothing to do with the Law of inertia. (The Law of Inertia is innocent !!!)

N.B. One reason why I highly respect stan, is that it is an undeniable fact that, he helped fund & expand Kickboxing in Australia & globally. In fact, Sam & Stan are beyond comparison with each other, when it comes to the 'Great accomplishment' factor. (This is why I believe that Stan Longinidis deserved the Kickboxing Tribute Award in 1995 - Blitz Hall of Fame).

Although I have criticized Sam Greco severely in my above opinion, I cannot deny that when I was young, & I was learning Martial Arts, Sam Greco did motivate me, not through his teaching techniques, but rather through his overall personality (back then) - As a child I saw him as a strong & highly inspiring fighter. He also did have a warm sense of humour !!

But ..no one is 'perfect'.

[Peter_]

Citron, Stan received the Blitz Hall of Fame award in 95 wasn't it? is there an actual place to go to see the memorabilia?

[Citron]

Peter,

1) If you are really interested in such a physical 'place', you should call Blitz and find out.

2) Some people feel that they don't need to visit such a 'place', but rather prefer to enjoy the lively luxurious effect of having Australian kickboxing enjoy a world wide recognition today.

3) Most things in life have a beginning...
For example, this forum.
Another example, Australian Kickboxing.

The beginning isn't necessarily everything, but it deserves to be recognized to some extent, as the opening of a new domain.

And it is through such a 'new domain' that we encounter exciting heroes...and villains.

[Peter_]

Um thanks Citron...I think, :)
You must be into traditional martial arts with the philosophizing?