K-1: You won the competition in Las Vegas in August. This was the first time you advanced to the final by winning each bout, wasn’t it?

Leko: Yes, it was. To be honest I feel confident this year. I believe I can win. I have been training harder than ever, and I’m in good shape. I think I’ll be in my best condition for the competition. I had a tough time in the past, as I never managed the results that were expected.

K-1: What in particular is different this time?

Leko: I had injuries and problems in the past. I wasn’t able to get myself into the best condition. The flight to Japan was cancelled, and there were lots of things I’d rather not remember. When I won in Las Vegas, I finally felt like I’d make a comeback.

K-1: I think also you have improved your technique recently.

Leko: I once increased my weight to more than 100kg to fight heavyweight opponents in return for speed, which should have been my advantage. Now, I have reduced my weight to 95kg, to take advantage of my speed. That would have been better. I a have completely different body now, and my punching and kicking is much sharper.

K-1: You were able to pick the slot first in the tournament draw.

Leko: I was lucky to pick the first match. It gives me the longest rest until the semi-final. Anyone would chose the first match, if they thought they had to fight well right through the tournament. I couldn’t choose the opponent, though.

K-1: Right after that Ernesto Hoost chose the next slot, which determined the match.

Leko: To tell the truth, I wanted to fight Hoost. Honestly, I thought I was lucky. Beating him means being the top of the world. I was happy because I wanted to fight the best opponent in the first match in perfect condition.

K-1: By the way, you must be keen to fight Team of Inoki.

Leko: Yes, anytime. I am a fighter. I can fight by any rules. Bruce Lee, who I admired, said, “Fight like water,” didn’t he. That’s why I am confident about fighting tactically in any situation. Up til now, I don’t know any submissions.

K-1: Really? I didn’t expect to hear comments like that from you.

Leko: K-1 fighters are all chosen men. They believe that they must be strong fighters under any rules. They have the ability to learn ground techniques if they have a chance to. It was true of Mirko. What I mean is, it is far more difficult to stand at the top of K-1 than to win in no rules. There are only 4 champions out of so many players.

K-1: You knocked out one of the champions, Peter Aerts, with your right straight at the Las Vegas competition. I heard that Aerts suffered a fracture to his face with that blow. To be honest, I didn’t expect it to go that way.

Leko: Many people thought that Peter would win. However, that’s my true power. It wasn’t my simple luck.

K-1: In the end you won all the matches in the tournament by knockout, didn’t you?

Leko: What is different about me now is I have more experience. Also, I have studied my opponents by watching videos. I checked the behavior, habits and strong points in detail of all possible opponents, especially of the top fighters who I would have to face with caution in the final.

K-1: I believe you gained more confidence by beating Aerts.

Leko: Of course. That match might have been the turning point for me. In any case, I have more confidence now that ever.

K-1: You were beaten once in 1997 in the first stage by Hoost, who you’ll be fighting.

Leko: Yes, I was. I had too little experience then. This time is different. In fact, I am trying to lose another 2kg. I think I can beat anyone in speed.

K-1: You think you will be able to beat Hoost with that?

Leko: Hoost is the best K-1 fighter. He has a lot of experience and I respect him. Nevertheless, I will be the champion this time. I am going to put all my effort into the match with Hoost rather than fighting the tournament this time. Hoost is probably the favorite to win this year also. However, things are not going to go the way that everyone expects.

K-1: Do you have a specific strategy?

Leko: Of course, I will be fully prepared. Strategy? No way! That’s a secret. All I have to do is control my condition.

K-1: You are frighteningly confident, aren’t you? You look like you will definitely win the tournament.

Leko: I will. I am 100% confident. For that, the first match with Hoost is very important. If I can beat him, I may be able to win the tournament with little difficulty.

K-1: You have yet to fight either Jerome LeBanner (or) Mark Hunt, whichever wins, I think both are threats to you.

Leko: They are still second to Hoost. I don’t care who wins. However, I want to fight Jerome again, as I was beaten by judgment last June.

K-1: You might be able to win the match against Banner.

Leko: I think I can beat him next time.

K-1: Who do you think will appear in the semi-final match from the other block?

Leko: Peter Aerts. He is the best fighter in that block.

K-1: You plan to win the tournament by knocking him out again?

Leko: That’s right.