Tarik Solak: Herald Sun Liftout!

[JANER]

Heyyy did any of you guys see the FULL-PAGE Tarik article in the herald sun on the weekend?! haha What a legend!

[JANER]

Gee the RACV have god some good competition, Michael! lol haha

[Axekick157]

Janer,

What day was it in the paper?

[harls]

Saturday's edition. "I am the most successful, glamorous promoter of anyone, anywhere. I have the most electrifying shows in the world" I had to laugh after reading that quote! In reality, he's probably most successful KICKBOXING promoter in AUSTRALIA, but thats as far as it goes. Personally I don't think his shows are even the best fight shows in Australia, let alone the world!!! Though in my book he does score points for shameless self promotion!!!!

[admin]

You should have been there that day! LOL... car breaks down in the searing heat in the middle of bum**** nowhere and five minutes later there's a dozen people to the rescue after Tarik makes a phone call! LOL... TARACV ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE!!

MICHAEL SCHIAVELLO
- Editor -
INTERNATIONAL KICKBOXER
FOX SPORTS
SKY TV NZ

[Tony S]

I dont know Tarik personally, but geez, his public arrogance is disgraceful.

His "shows" are good ie lighting, sound etc but from a fightfans purist point of view they are nothing special.

Ordinary cards In My Opinion.

But then again, he probably pays fighters peanuts, and puts on mostly crap under a main event usually ethnically tied, which frees up money to spend on all the bull**** like FX.

Tarik seems to target the richer, dumber (in regards to fight knowledge) crowd who are there for image and probably dont know who Stan or Ozkan is lol. Out in the back rows are the real fans, or probably at home.

Ive only ever seen Matsamura fights on fox, but from what Ive seen, Tariks are not even close to the same league. Those QLD guys in Thai fights would walk through most of fighters Tarik showcases. Plus in qld they showcase more than one or two main fights, and dont fill the rest with crap.

[harls]

Clap, Clap, Clap. Brilliant!!! I couldn't have said it better myself, you summed it up beautifully Tony. BRAVO!!!

[Rickstar]

Clap, clap, clap.

I totally agree. Finally some more people with my opinion.

[JANER]

I suppose the only underlying factor to any truth in your thoughts is the CROWD attendance at a Tarik SOlak Promotion.

[krama]

Hey Janer -
I'm sure you'de pull a bigger crowd if you promoted Stan & Ozkan - the fact is I know a lot of people who simply refuse to go to a Tarik show because of his arrogant attitude, and you are nearly always disappointed with undercard fights these days, and going back in the old days, even the main events used to change without any notice until the fight would begin.
I think the article was pretty sad actually, he didnt mention some of the poor blokes who have trained their f%&^^*ing guts out and had their heads cracked only to be paid peanuts so Tarik can make a fortune and cruise around saying how brilliant he is.
I will be honest, I go to see the fighters like we all do - I could give a stuff if Tarik promoted the damn thing or not - unfortunately, Solak has the good Southern fighters and most o/seas fighters in his pocket, so we have little choice -
An Eddie McGuire he will NEVER be - even though he models himself on the man and seems to think he is the Turkish version of him -
I would like to hear about some of the so called 'loudmouth' stories
re Solak if anyone knows of any - word is he is quite a loyal bloke but can be the biggest ****er as well.

[wizard]

five years ago you would never walk away from a tarik solak show dissapointed, jacobs/ozkan, amir/chris allen just to name a few, you had the bravehart vs fitzroy stars battles, any two fighters you wanted to see tarik would make it happen, you could not ask for a better show anywhere around the world, but the last couple of years have been totally *******crap!!!!! im from the country and used to travel hrs to watch a tarik show, but the last couple of years tarik seems to be putting all the money into the lights, girls, and venues and forgeting about what people want to see good even high skilled fights!!
thank god ray matsumura is putting on such high quality shows, its a shame we cant get the same standard here in vic anymore!!!

[Mr. T]

Hey Micheal Shiavello,
Mate I was recently reading the latest issue of IK (love the new layout) and was wondering if Ray Matsumura's latest show with Australia vs many Japanese stars, was going to be aired on Fox. Because that would have to be one of the best fight cards to hit Australia in the last decade. The last time Ray's show was screened on Foxtel aka "The Blood Bath" I had my faith fully re-instated in the possible standards of kickboxing promotions in Australia. That night of fights was trully awesome especially Shannon Forrester vs Shushido. Despite Fox sports contract with Tarik, why don't Fox reduce the a few of Tarik Solak's shows to give Ray Matsumura a few more contracted fight nights on Fox so we have a bit more variety being shown???

[remy]

Tarik's getting bums on seats so he must be doing something right. The bigger the crowds the bigger the purses (should be)

Past 2 years, we have had 2 k-1 oceania's with Watt and Hunt the winners. Hardly a weak show. We have had 2 K-1 max, again probably the best shows i have seen in the past 2 years. We have had Ozkan vs Tsokanis with Jenk vs Zambidis. The Respect undercard didn't go to well. But overall he has given us the excellent shows.

[Pete M]

remy
i agree 100%

[krama]

Remy - if Stan didn't fight in the last show - vodaphone arena would have been empty - thank fully Christopolidies gave us something to watch, otherwise it was a pretty poor night - even with Zam there, his opponent was not up to Zams level -
the K1 - with all the big guns - was an anticlimax to say the least -
read Tony S's post - there are a few valid points there.
Agree with Wizard's (home loans) views as well - lets cut the crap - I could not give a stuff about some bull**** fireworks or some young g string clad bimbo hanging off the bloody ceiling doing acrobatics!!! IF I WANT TO SEE THIS CRAP I WILL GO TO A BLOODY CIRCUS!!!!
Give the money he paid these pirotecnic and rope chick idiots to THE FIGHTERS!!!! - THEY ARE THE ONES WE COME TO SEE THEY ARE THE ONES WE SUPPORT!!!!! CUT THE **** OUT!!!
As an example - back in the hardcore days, Ozkan V Jacobs - the whole night was great - no ****y fireworks, no bimbo flying through the air, no unco-ordinated bimbos dancing in the ring - but still a great bloody night!!!
Tarik - put your money towards bringing down some great fighters from QLD etc and put on the fights we want to see -
Another point - the last show at Vodaphone - the stupid bloody Hawaian fire lighters were pathetic, it blocked the view of the fights, sent up huge amounts of smoke - a total waste

[Tony S]

I never said Tarik never (in the PAST) put on good shows -but lately they are have been sub par i feel.

Tarik is in a unique position being the K-1 Oceania guy. Basically any fighters who want to go this way (most) must deal with tarik. Thats what will stop anyone like Matsamura getting the TV dates that Tarik does, certain fighters and sponsors etc.

However, if Tarik goes to boxing like he says, he may find out just how hard it is. Boxing is very difficult to promote, and genuine talent is required. Ie no bull$hit 4-5 time "world champions" like in kickboxing.

Even the bull**** belts in boxing are hard to get! lol

I get the feeling Tarik may look towards other stuff anyway - he seems to have mentioned rock concerts a lot, and really after Gurkan and perhaps Zam (not aussie), the next wave of K-1 types arnt really coming thru - guys that get bums on seats like Stan, Ozkan etc.

Ie the April 27th show coming up. It is VERY ordinary IMO and he is clutching at straws trying to pass the headhnter as a main event superstar type.

[harls]

Have to say I'm going to stay home on the 27th. Nandex is not headline material yet and from the flier I gather Tarik's going to show most of the SAME OLD FIGHTERS he always does in the lead up fights.

I'd think about going if he actually charged what his shows are worth(25% to 50% less than he does now). One thing I will say though is that his 2 K-1 max shows were great(probably because he didn't really have an undercard to spoil them). But except for the occasional one or two fights in his normal shows the rest is usually garbage.

As for putting bums on seats, which he does most of the time, look at Tony S's earlier post, it sums it up well. Come to think of it though, Johnny Scida shows and Kelly Seif's Judgement Day shows rarely leave a seat unattended also.

[Glenn]

Queensland shows are the best in the country by a country mile.
I'm intending to go up and see a show or two in the next year. Would make a great weekend away.

[tylerdurden]

Look guys i think the new venues & other entertainment is great, but i too agree with you that the fight card is the most important thing. I think Tarik has too much on his plate and if he can afford it, to pay someone like Hammer to match make and that only. Hammer has a fighting background, gets to alot of shows because of his commentating commitments and can pick the fighters. If tarik puts a solid card on the shows will improve out of sight.

[harls]

I think Hammer has plenty on his plate as well, but it is a good idea. Don't know if Tarik would like the idea though! There would be alot more Mod/Full Thai rules fights if Hammer was matchmaker, which would be EXCELLENT<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

[remy]

Many people in Vic like myself prefer K-1 over MT any day. Everyone to their own. The Respect night was disappointing apart from the fact that Gurkan ended up winning and i'm a Gurkan fan. A Stan fan as well but Gurkan first.:)

The upcoming promotion on card seems disappointing. But only because of the high expectation I have for a Tarik show.

Someone made the comment that his shows have been crap in the past 2 years. I disagree generally. Some have been a little disappointing but overall we have seen great fights.

And I like the entertainment of it all. The fights are the most important obviously, but I don't think that the enterntainment has taken anything away from it. I don't have a problem with improving the image of the sport to get to a wider range of viewers. Tarik keep the dancers! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

[JANER]

Boys boys boys what are you all saying!?!!?

Tarik Solak put QUALITY kickboxing on the map in Australia. He has filled the following stadiums:

- Basketball Halls
- Dallas Brooks Hall
- Billboards Nightclub
- Metro Nightclub
- Raddison Hotel
- Fesitval Hall
- Crown Showroom
- Crown Palladium
- Sun City Casino
- Warner BRothers movie world
- Sydney Town Hall
- Melbourne Town Hall

now he has filled the VODAPHONE arena!! Whats next for Solak? MCG!

Ok I have established his records of crowd attendance. Now, how can you fill these venues without a good reputation?! Why dont these other promoters fill thes HUGE venues??? Tariks SOlak has the name of a grear promotion and great main events.

Companies like HBO and Don King ALLLLLLLLLL have crappy undercards and usually without a semi-main event. Just a cherographed Main Event. Take a look and K1 max, K1 heavyweights... Its Finnaly On and recently No Respect!!! The last 2 or 3 years have been absolutely spectacular!

I recently watched,in my opinion, one of the best fights Gurkan has fought. It was named Turkish Revenge!!! It had a great undercard with sam soliman, nick talakouris, dale westerman and celal ilhan. It was a great undercard and one of the best main events ever. Tarik has made many nights like turkish revenge and has brought most fans to a new level. Back in the days it was alot more passionate and there were many rivals between gyms which made everything alot more exciting. Nowadays, its purely for money and entertainment. Im a little afraid to say it but kickboxing is now more than just a sport.

You have to move with the times and Tarik has changed the image from being a brutal battle, to a well organised tamed promotion.

[JANER]

I will admit that April 28 is a new era for Tarik SOlak. Most of his fighters that gave TARIK SOLAK his name are now out of the sport... I just hope Gurkan has enough fuel to make it for another few years...

[remy]

And you can sell me an event based on the main event. If the main event/semi main events are big enough, I will go regardless of the rest of the card. What was great though, and i've mentioned this before, was the undercard of the show where Greco fought Topuz. Amir vs Mangan, Gurkan vs Shannon, Mark May vs Vermes, Soliman vs Westerman. They were big names for a non tournament night. Haven't seen any undercards match that since.

Tony S, you are right about Nandex and Evan not being at a main event level, for a Tarik show that is. Probably the weakest main event for a Tarik show that I can remember.

[JANER]

Remy, this is the weekest main event for the last 10 years bro... Tarik probably doesnt need his past glory of fighters.

Im spewing that tariks old fighters arent around today...I urge all of sportz blitz members to watch an old fight tape. And now you will realise why I fully support tarik. His roots are better than the stems... BELIEVE ME!

[krama]

Janer - how is going guru - I vividly remember the old Tarik shows - I remember the challenges he would put out to the crowd - some people would boo him and the decisions etc - he would do the old "If you have a problem come in here and say it to my face" attitude - all great stuff back then, and the fights were generally better, Tarik had some great fighters working with him, no doubt - and these old events set the path for Tarik - I recall many times we'd say were never going to support the arsehole again, but time and time we'd come back, because he would have the fighters we'd want to see, and build up the hype - who can forget the near brawl he and the late Dana Goodson (my former great trainer) nearly had on the radio triple M the day before the fight - I will never forget Dana saying, " for every 1 right Ozkan throws, Timor will give, 3 lefts, 2 knees and an overhand right in response" and asked by the commentator to sumarize Timor he said " he's bright, ploite is white and can fight!!" what a legend.
The best was when he was ****bagging Tariks gym name "Braveheart Academy" thats when it got heated - as Dana said he had to copy the Scots and the Movie 'Braveheart' when they are all Turks, and had no heart!! Wow great times!

[Andrew P]

Janer, to say Tarik is the first one to put quality kickboxing shows on in Australia is not only naive, it completely disregards the history of the game.

[Michael Vukovic]

For your info guys Christofer Chronas was the first promoter to put on the big shows in Australia.

[Andrew P]

That's what I was getting at.

[JANER]

Yes, good old Chistopher! Didnt he go bankrupt?! Surely Tarik has been consistent throughout the years and going from strength to strength... Its a darn pity his fighters wont be around <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

[JANER]

Yep Krama, you sound like the original boys of kickboxing!!! MAd wernt they!! hehe Nothing beat the chants and all the booing! pretty hostile but you MORE than what you paid for!! lol You would probably walk home and have a punch-on outside....hahaha

BUT, kickboxing has moved on.... Thanks TARIK!

[Andrew P]

Chris apparently declared bankruptcy a little while ago as he ran into problem with his fashion label. He has been out of the actual kickboxing industry for ages.

[da GhOsT]

how can people forget the shows at metro night club?? they were the best promotions tarik put on. tibet Vs nick, bader Vs steve irvine, tibet Vs markus mangan. always had a strong undercard with the likes of dale westerman, lou isofidis, celal ilhan, baris nezif etc and how can i not forget the punch on after the show, those were the mad years<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

[JANER]

I wish that all the new fans today could of seen the days of yesterday to really appreciare kickboxing!!!