The Big Kickboxing News & Rumors Thread [2024]

[K1power]

Happening this weekend:

Friday
- ONE Friday Fights 53
- RISE 176

Saturday
- UAM FIGHT NIGHT K1-PRO
- Krush.158
- SENSHI 20

Sunday
- KNOCK OUT 2024 vol.1

[K1power]

Putting this in the general news thread as well:

Maurice Hols leaves Glory, effective immediately, after less than five months.

[K1power]

Warrior Code's Teodor Dzhamov travelled to ARJ trainingen in Breda and did interviews with Khbabez, Kehl, Boapeah, Kaffa and Maikel Polanen:

- Khbabez is ready for Abena. Says the multiple reschedules really frustrated him and Abena is keeping him from eating American cookies lol.
- Boapeah learned a lot from his fight with Wisse. He'll fight again in April, but doesn't have an opponent yet. Hopes for another title fight by the end of the year.
- Kaffa is 90% healed and hopes to fight again April (which will probably be in Rise..?).
- The Kehl interview is in English so anyone can watch it (starts around 18:20).
- When told Remy and Marinho give Kehl no chance against Beztati, Polanen says Kehl has had tougher opponents than him and is confident both Khbabez and Kehl will become champions on March 9th.

[K1power]

In their latest podcast, Remy mentioned to Marinho he got a call from Mike Passenier a few days ago in which Mike was complaining about Glory being bad at marketing. Remy went into it a bit and talked about how a lot of fighters left Glory and became stars in the UFC/PFL. Remy said Glory should strip away budget from the ring girls - apparently they waste a LOT of money on that - and use it for proper promo material for fighters other than Rico.

[K1power]

Yousri Belgaroui became Light Heavyweight Champion at LFL last night.

http://instagram.com/p/C3gclUEoy3a

[Shadess]

So yea Hols left Glory. Says he had a difference of opinion with Scott Rudmann on how to run things and that led to a difficult working relationship. Says he doesn't know if Glory will continue with the tournaments or go a different route.
nos.nl/artikel/2509537-directeur-kickboksbond-glory-stapt-ondanks-grote-plannen-na-4-5-maanden-al-op

[K1power]

Some translated bits of Warrior Talk #23.

This was released on February 17th.

Len Huard (Former Boxer, Dutch Boxing Council Chairman)
- Started out doing TaeKwonDo as a kid, because his mom didn't like him getting punched in the face.
- Has trained in Kickboxing for a while.
- Ultimately settled for Boxing and started doing fights.
- Hated every moment before a fight, but loved every moment after.
- Is part of a law firm and was approached for the Dutch Boxing Council because of his background.
- Eventually moved to the position of Chairman.
- The council runs on a voluntary basis.
- Has faith in Boxing remaining part of the Olympics.
- Was involved in setting up World Boxing after the IOC withdrew recognition of the IBA due to claims of Russian corruption.
- Believes the Netherlands still has a chance to qualify for the upcoming Olympics.
- Is a big fan of Usyk and believes he can beat Fury.

Charles Blesgraaf (Former Boxer, Dutch Boxing Council Head of Commission)
- Started Boxing as a kid.
- Had his first fight after four months of training.
- Names Muhammad Ali as his role model, for both his accomplishments inside and outside of the sport.
- Has also been a video analyst for professional football and believes it can be used more efficiently in fight sports.
- Knows Tyson Fury personally and is a big fan.
- Believes Fury's reach will be too much for Usyk.

Mohammed Boutasaa (OneFC)
- Came into contact with Mo Ben Nasser as a kid and started training under him.
- Has been with Mo Ben Nasser ever since.
- Thinks his knees are his best weapon.
- Was introcuded to OneFC by Maik Polanen after having sparred with Enriko Kehl.
- Would like to fight in Glory so that more friends and family can attend his fights, but has been happy in One so far.
- Could see himself moving to Welterweight eventually.

Maurice Hols
- Hols' portion is already covered in this post.

At some point Hols was asked about doing a crossover event with OneFC or other promotions. Hols said while he could see Glory co-promoting with other promotions like they do with Rise, he isn't particularly interested in working with One.

Overall a pretty interesting talk and I have to wonder if at that point Hols (and possibly others) already knew he was leaving. He wasn't an unpleasant table guest and I wonder what happened to make him leave.

Man, WarriorCode has been putting out a ton of content lately.

[K1power]

BREAKING! GLORY Executive Director Maurice Hols Announces Resignation

Although his resignation has taken many by surprise, he insists that it is unrelated to the drama surrounding Jamal Ben Saddik and his absence from the Heavyweight Grand Prix. Hols stated that “[Scott Rudmann] and I have a different vision of the future of the organization and how we should manage it.”

With all the changes Hols has initiated over the last four months, he's unsure if GLORY will stay on course and deliver on all of the promises.

"I don't know whether the tournaments will continue to exist, or whether the organization will take a completely different course. It wouldn't surprise me if whole plans have already been made behind my back."

Definitely some snark in that last quote.

[rictor]

Feb 16, 2024 12:51:15 GMT 1 K1power said:

Edit: rictor good to see you again, it's been a while!

Cheers. Nowadays I've been mostly just a lurker but still check out Kakutougi regularly

Two new MAX tournament participants announced by K-1 are Thananchai Sitsongpeenong and Nakajima Rei.

[K1power]

http://instagram.com/p/C3kLsxNtRPk

[K1power]

[Fox]

Feb 20, 2024 10:04:43 GMT 1 rictor said:

Feb 16, 2024 12:51:15 GMT 1 K1power said:

Edit: rictor good to see you again, it's been a while!

Cheers. Nowadays I've been mostly just a lurker but still check out Kakutougi regularly

Two new MAX tournament participants announced by K-1 are Thananchai Sitsongpeenong and Nakajima Rei.

When is the tournament? Not sure how well its going to go inviting a muay khao to modern K-1. 

[K1power]

The Final 16 are on March 20th. I don't think we've gotten a date for the Final 8 yet..?

[rictor]

So the line-up for the Iron Fighter tournament is Mika Tahitu, Kacper Muszyński, Jordy Beekwilder and Călin Petrișor. Although I wouldn't say with 100% confidence the winner is going to enter The Final 16 just yet form past experience.

Now that you mention it, a clinch fighter is an odd choice for K-1 rules but who knows.

[K1power]

A couple of days ago Ishii actually proposed some rule changes that may favor clinch fighters:

Of course straight up clinching would still be banned and we're not even sure the changes will be implemented, let alone in time to affect the March card.

One proposed update that I'm very much in favor for - and have been bringing up like a broken record - is to make title fights up to 5 or 7 rounds long.

Yes, please!