 LAS VEGAS, April 28, 2005 -- In a standing room only press conference at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, fighters for the Battle at the Bellagio IV: K-1 World Grand Prix in Las Vegas were introduced to the media. Bob Halloran, the MGM Mirage Sports Events Director, took the dais to announce that with only some 200 tickets remaining for the event, a sellout is virtually assured. "I was finally able to attend the K-1 Final last year, at the Tokyo Dome," said Halloran, "and everything I had heard about K-1 exceeded my expectations. At that time, when Remy [Bonjasky] won, I invited him to fight here again, and I am delighted that he will be in the ring this Saturday. Musashi was the runner-up at the Tokyo Dome, and we will also have that great Japanese fighter here at the Bellagio on Saturday."K-1 Event Producer Tanikawa was delighted by growing media and fan response to K-1 in the US. "Las Vegas has become a part of our regular schedule, please watch for the quality of the fights on Saturday, as we are sure they are getting better every time!"
K-1 USA's Scott Coker then introduced the fighters:
In the tournament's opening bout, Tsuyoshi Nakasako, a tall young promising Japanese fighter, will take on Mark Selbee, the IKF Superheavyweight Kickboxing Champion. Selbee is a late substitute for Canadian Michael McDonald, who was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Said Nakasako: "I don't really study about my opponents I just do my best, so this sudden replacement does not affect me"
Selbee "It will take a lot of luck and hard work to win Saturday, but this is the chance I've always dreamed of, and I am going to make the most of it
In the second matchup, brawler Gary Goodridge of Trinidad and Tobago will face a determined opponent in American Sean O'Haire, a former pro wrestler who has been focusing on K-1
O'Haire: "In my wrestling career, I was on TV a lot, so being in front of cameras and a crowd gets me pumped, so I am there!"
Goodridge: "It will be exciting, expect a lot of pain and wrath from dirty Big Daddy! I like to finish everything now, actually yesterday, so if our fight is still going on after a minute Sean is doing well!"
Kyokushin fighter Glaube Feitosa of Brazil will meet popular Las Vegas fighter Dewey Cooper in the third bout:
Feitosa: I have been watching tapes from Cooper's fights, and I'm 100%. I look forward to the bout, and let the best fighter win"
Cooper: "I'm always in the lab trying to create new things and be the best, Glaube is very good, but I'm ready to do what I have to do to win Saturday, not once, not twice, but three times!"
The explosive American Carter Williams will step in against Yusuke Fujimoto of Japan in the last quarterfinal.
Fujimoto: "I met Williams three years ago and he won, but this Saturday, I'll win. Of course, Williams has speed, technique and power, but this time I trained hard and I will be faster, and go for the KO!"
Williams: "Saturday night I will perform my best. I'm in good shape and I'm ready to get it up!"
The winner of the K-1 World 2005 USA Grand Prix tournament will advance to the WGP 05 Final Elimination Tournament, set for the Osaka Dome this September 23.
In Superfights on the card at the Bellagio, it will be Remy Bonjasky of the Netherlands taking on Mighty Mo, who lost 10 kilos or about 25 pounds in preparing for this bout.
Mo: "Last year I didn't know kickboxing, but I know kickboxing better now, and I'm ready to go!"
Bonjasky: "I respect Mo, I think it will be a great fight, and the audience will be the winners Saturday because of the great fights."
Musashi of Japan will meet the legendary Rick Roufus of the US.
Roufus: "I am at a point in my career where I am exceptionally hungry. Saturday is a great opportunity, and I never trained harder -- it's going to be a great fight!"
Musashi: "This is my second time in Vegas, Roufus has punches, like Ray Mercer, but beating Mercer gave me confidence against punchers, so I will use that experience to do my best!"
The Battle at the Bellagio IV: K-1 World Grand Prix in Las Vegas will be broadcast live in Japan on Fuji TV, and in the US on inDemand, DirecTV and TVN. Elsewhere contact local broadcasters for scheduling.
|
