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A very interesting name surfaces for K-1 World GP show at Yokohama Arena…
By Zach Arnold | December 2, 2009
… and I’m not talking about Michael Buffer, either. I’m talking about Branko Cikatic, who will be acting as a ring second for Peter Aerts. Ernesto Hoost will also be at the show as a ring second for Tyrone Spong in his fight against Kyotaro.
On another K-1 related topic, I have a new article detailing K-1’s masterful manuevers on NYE to put Sengoku in the position they are currently in.
And if you can’t get enough of Japanese fight politics, check out this article on how friendly Antonio Inoki and relatives of Rikidozan’s family are with Kim Jong-Il in North Korea.
Topics: Japan, K-1, Media, Zach Arnold | 15 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
You might have to give people some background; he won the first WGP, knocking out Ernesto Hoost when he was something like 38 years old and had a few indiscretions in PRIDE.
But he was the guy who paved the way for Cro Cop.
He has a long history with Cro Cop.
They are both Croatian.
They have also both been in terrible movies.
He also admittedly sold a fight in Pride.
LoL, I meant real history of relationship between them.
Yeah, he has trained Cro Cop.
Wasn’t he accused of trying to blow up Mirko’s car or something? I think he had made various threats against him at one point as well.
More like he hired killers to get rid of Cro Cop.
K1 still exists? How long can they keep letting LeBanner, Aerts, Hoost, etc fight? Heavyweight kickboxing must have the most shallow talent pool of any sport on Earth.
That’s one of the reasons I can’t get too excited about K-1’s bigger shows. The “cast members” seems to be pretty constant.
Also, it’s strange how kickboxing never has done it for me, even though I love both boxing and MMA.
Aerts is 39 and has had serious talks about retiring, LeBanner has taken up boxing and discussed this being his last WGP. Hoost has been retired for quite a while now, even turning down a money fight with Badr Hari earlier this year because he is too old.
As for the ‘shallow talent pool’ I’m not really sure about that. The GP this year is Karaev, Hari, Overeem, Teixeira, LeBanner, Schilt, Bonjasky, Zimmerman. Last year’s GP was the best combat sports card all year, easily.
That is only 3 out of the 8 that are mainstay names (LeBanner, Schilt, Bonjasky). On top of that, there are names not in the GP that are newer and will be forces for years to come; Ghita, Saki, Jaideep, Maeda..
Overeem isn’t a very good kickboxer, honestly. LeBanner hasn’t been the since since 2002 when Hoost broke his arm/career.
Back about 10-12 yrs ago were the glory days. Aerts, Hoost, Hug, LeBanner, Mirko, Sefo, Hunt, Skelton, Filho…Remy and Schilt are awesome too. I just think K1 is going to die because guys who like to fight but can’t make it in boxing are going to MMA instead of K1.
There is plenty of up and coming talent in K-1, especially in Europe and Eastern Europe. This year will likely be the last year we see Aerts and JLB around. For awhile K-1 didnt seem to be bringing enough solid talent in, but in the last 2 or 3 years they have brought in some quality prospects and there are for sure more in the running.
At 70kg (155) K-1 MAX have an unreal lineup of guys, those are some of the ebst events in combat sports right now.
I totally have to agree with E.T. There is plenty of talent in K-1 right now and the Grand Prix yesterday was one of the best if not the best ever.
Cikatic is at a lot of K-1 events and I don’t understand why this is worth a news article? It’s also very shocking that Hoost was there yesterday and even Ray Sefo.
Cikatic was the first Grand Prix Champion. Every fight he won in K-1 was by way of KO. Afaik he is a successful entrepreneur today who owns a security company. And of course as one of the early stars of K-1 they like to have him there…