Fight closer to happening

[HHH]

This was posted on Tarik Solaks forum, "Tarik publically announced on Friday the 7th March at Springvale Town Hall, that this fight is hopefully to happen late Novermber this year."

Starting to look good peoples, just hope that it eventuates <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Thanks for the info Paul <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

[JANER]

great news people!! Is it going to be a single bout or in a tournament?

--------------------------------------------------
"What did you expect?"

[paul c]

Personally, I'm certain it will happen.

Why,

Because Tarik said at the event mentioned above, that Michael asked if he could fight Gurkan.

We know that Ozkan is all for the fight as well.

Tarik isn't going to have any trouble filling the Vodaphone to near capacity once again. Mike has the Greek community behind him, and likewise Ozkan with the Turkish. So, I can't honestly see why the fight wouldn't happen.

It's going to be a mega event for sure.

Janer, Tarik didn't say anything about a Tourny.
So, I guess we'll just have to wait for more info, but I'm hoping that we'll get to see them fight each other fresh.

[HHH]

Guys, I am getting excited by just the thought of the fight! All I got to say is that both are great fighters, and win lose or draw they will both come out winners! :)

[remy]

It won't fill Vodaphone, not even close. Not on it's own anyway. Probably the sports and entertainment arena, that's about 5000 capacity i think.

[Servant]

Naw dude your thinking of Festival Hall. Sports and Entertainment Centre holds up to 8000 or so. Even more if they squeeeze 'em in.

[Servant]

Good point too Remy, the concept of gurkan packing out Vodaphone is a bit extreme. A lot of his loyalists sevrely overestimate his pulling power. I haven't seen him headline a card anywhere except Crown Showroom. With him and Mike together though, you will get a very healthy turnout in a bigger venue possibly.

[paul c]

We'll have to wait and see which venue they choose. And also, who knows which other fights Tarik may put on the same show.

Sash, when they both faught on the Solak August show (Ozkan Tsakonas II, and MIke vs Behic I, they absolutely filled the Town Hall. I'm not certain of the capacity, but I imagine it's bigger than the showroom by several hundred.

It's not so much that Ozkan is fighting, Or that Mike is fighting, but the fact that they are fighting each other. That's what will bring the crowds out.

Don't forget that Stan Vs Graham only filled Festival Hall. The crowds obviously found the thought of Stan Vs Ozkan as a far more exciting match up.

I think the regular fight fans are going to find this fight just as exciting a prospect. And I imagine most that do go to kickboxing events won't miss this one.

I'm going to estimate between 4000-5000 if they hold it in a venue big enough. Though, Tarik could put on something that totally surprises us ( Greco for instance).

Also, marketing this event: they could do heaps with this.
Mike being Stan's protege and all.



Edited by - paul c on 10 Mar 2003 23:19:44

[Servant]

"Only" filled Festival Hall? That's "only" 5000 or so people dude. If they "only" get a good crowd at Festival Hall, which in terms of capacity is notches above the Town Halls and what have you, the show is more than happy.

[remy]

Festival Hall is good. Old but good. I remember going sports and entertainment centre to see Greco Topuz fight with excellent undercards. That was a top night of fights. I just guessed the 5000. I think 4000-5000 would be an excellent crowd if they could get it. So either one of those venue's is good. Crown and town hall prob too small. Vodafone way too big. Bring Greco to fight on the same card then maybe Vodafone. But i doubt that will happen.

[HHH]

There has been talk of Mark Hunt having a fight in Australia under a Tarik show in the future! It would be great if he was on the same show! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

[John K]

I went to about 3 Stan The Man fights years ago at the Entertainment Centre. That was a great venue, I miss those old days! The Greco-Topuz fight was not the same, they had half the seats in the floor area missing, probably due to lack of tickets sales.

[paul c]

By 'Only' I meant,

Stan's crowd pulling power surely was a lot better that he was fighting Ozkan......Vodaphone.

Than when he fought Graham at Festival Hall, which had Ozkan on the card and Mike's debut fight in Aus.

I'm actually surprised.......I didn't think Festival Hall was that big..5000.

Guys, there is a Vodaphone show happening in June or July for K1 Oceania isn't there?






Edited by - paul c on 11 Mar 2003 02:01:23

[paul c]

About Festival Hall,

I've only been there 3 times.

A Mundine fight, The Solak show....and some band during the early 80s. God, I think it was Pseudo Echo or some other Hair band just as cool.

Anyway, I don't know what it is about it, but I don't like it much.
I loved the casino venue, but too small unfortunately.
Vodaphone is spectacular, It would be great if we get to go there a couple of times per year.

[John K]

I don't know Paul, this is one thing that shouldn't be Ozkan-ised (new word for this forum heh heh) Stan consistently drew the biggest crowds in Australia, not just in Melb but even in Sydney a couple times, 5000-7000 at the show in Darling Harbour and the one at the Entertainent Centre in Sydney. He packed out Festival Hall on a show that Pat Cristofi didn't even advertise properly. Stan drew over 7000 several times to the Entertainemnt Center back in the old days. Give Stan that, it will be hard, if not impossible for quite a while yet, to get another kickboxer who will capture peoples attention like him years ago. Now that he's gone it's time to remember Stan took the game out of the nightclubs and pubs.



Edited by - John K on 11 Mar 2003 02:25:39

[paul c]

John,

I think you guys have missed my point.

Stan did the best ever for a kickboxing show, 12000 for the Alexio fight. I don't see how the hell anyone has read that I'm trying to take something from Stan here.

I'm not trying to Ozkanize the topic at all, but was just trying to point out the difference between Stan's last fight with Ozkan compared to second last fight with Peter. If the figures I've been told are correct, the fight with Ozkan had an extra 6000 live spectators. No, I'm not saying this is credit to Ozkan alone for the extra spectator numbers. But yes I am saying it's because it was a fight that the crowds saw as being very exciting. Had Stan fought one of the upcoming heavy-weights, I don't think we would have seen 10,000 people at Vodaphone. So, then if that's the case, we have to give some credit to Gurkan. Even though this has nothing to do with what my point is.

Now, there are many factors here for why the huge crowd difference.

Firstly, this last event probably got ten times the publicity.
But also, the fact that Stan was fighting a pretty well known and very aggressive fighter to Melbourne, where Peter really wasn't at the time.

Again, I think this will draw a big crowd if sold well. Because Mike is much loved by a large community, as is Ozkan. Them both on the same card is not such a great big deal. Those who miss out on the show could catch them another time.
But, the fact that Mike is fighting Gurkan is a big deal. Both very agressive and explosive fighters. Miss out on this one, and it may be years again till we see something with this sort of big KO potential from either guy.

[paul c]

Actually, regarding Ozkanizing the topic.

For goodness sake, the topic is about the fight between Mike and Gurkan. And I think Mike is going to draw as big if not bigger crowd than Ozkan.

[HHH]

I agree, this fight has a personal issue to it! This will also play a big part in the crowd attendance! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

[Stathis]

vodaphone arena is too big for just this fight! get stan on it as his retirement fight i say!

[Andrew P]

Extra 6000? No way Paul, that would mean there was 11000 at No Respect. Crowd attendance was about 7000-8000.

[paul c]

Andrew,

The attendence figures I've read floating around the web for both those shows.

Festival Hall approx 4000

Vodaphone approx 10,000

From Solak's site
Late Breaking News section.

SOLAK SPECTACLE STOPS A NATION

Tarik Solak's 10th Year Anniversary Event stopped a nation as a national and international PPV watched one of the best promotions ever seen in Australia. Solak pulled out all stops with a magnificent light, sound and live entertainment spectacular which enthralled the 10,000 live crowd. The main event between Ozkan and Longinidis proved a ripper and will long live on in the memories of all who saw it.




Edited by - paul c on 11 Mar 2003 13:58:02

[paul c]

Also, check out Tariks site for the second show coming.

I'm sure it says at Vodaphone.

I think this is going to be K1 Oceania 2003, plus Hunt Vs Ignashov. K-1 Oceania is popular, but the last one was held at the Showroom in the casino.

So, if the Vodaphone is a reasonable idea for that show, I don't see why it's a pipe dream for Zam V Ozkan (plus of course a great undercard) to be held there.

I dunno guys.
I'm just speculating here.

[Andrew P]

Paul I didn't say you didn't read those stats on the web, I'm saying it's not true. There was not 10,000 at the Vodaphone show. The upper half of the arena was curtained off. Pay per view may have affected the cheap ticket sales. In any event the live attendnce floated around the 7000 mark. Which is a more than superb turnout. Festival Hall, yeah, floats between 4000-5000 people.
I'm sure Tarik will confirm for you what attendance was if you are admanant I am mistaken.




Edited by - Andrew P on 11 Mar 2003 14:05:56

[paul c]

Andrew,

I didn't even suggest your mistaken, but rather put up the figures I have read.

It's not that important to me.

Is there a third level at Vodaphone?

[JANER]

I hope the fight between Ozkan V Zambidis does go ahead. Two of the most entertaining fighters in the world! Should be awesome. But is Zambidis biting more off than he can chew, for once!?

This will be Zambidis first ever fight where it can go the other way without ANY doubt.

Before Zam jumped in the ring, the following fighters had no chance:

- Krongsak Lek
- Alan Shearing
- Shannon Forester
- Nick Wynberg
- K1 max first fight

The following fighters did have a chance but you werent sure if they would beat Zam:

- Jenk Behic
- JWP

The following fighter is a SERIOUS knock out threat for Zambidis and the most ever dangerous fight he could ever take. He is:

********* GURKAN OZKAN ******************

Zam better be prepared for the much bigger and stronger man. Gurkan will be the favourite and Zam should of thought twice before accepting the challenge. This will be the first time on paper that Zam will have trouble, and obvioulsy in the ring.

Its about time Zam has a chance of getting knocked out! Well I am a zam fan and I really wanna see how he can take the power from australia best fighter. Zam will have to bulk up, which will negate his super fitness and speed. Gurkan will be lean, mean and ready to swith off the greece lighting!

And this is why it will be a sellout! And if i wasnt biased I would also say Gurkan is under threat from a pocket rocket who has also a big punch with an impressive knockout win ratio!

Its a shame 1 fighter has to lose...

[Yawn]

here we go again will ozkan vow to quit if he loses to the little bloke (like against jacobs)