Mercer Set for Musashi

K-1 World GP in Nagoya Press Conference
NAGOYA, June 5, 2004 -- On a sunny early summer day in Japan's third-largest city, 16 fighters from 10 countries met the press in advance of the Aruze K-1 World GP 2004 in Nagoya. The one-match event kicks off Sunday at 3:00 pm JT at the Nagoya Rainbow Hall, with winners receiving consideration for further World GP 2004 elimination tournaments.

Japanese Seidokaikan fighter Musashi surprised many when he beat Ray Sefo and Peter Aerts before losing by decision to Remy Bonjasky at last year's K-1 World Grand Prix Tokyo Dome Final. It was Musashi's only defeat in 12 fights dating back to a December 2002 dance with Jerome LeBanner. Unquestionably Japan's strongest K-1 fighter, Musashi will meet former Olympic Boxing Gold Medallist Ray "Merciless" Mercer of the United States in the main event here.

Said Musashi, "Quite some time ago I saw a video of Ray and thought, "Wow, what a strong fighter!' So I am excited to be meeting him now, and I hope I can win." Replied a spirited Mercer: "I saw video on Musashi as well, and I can honestly say that I'm looking forward to meeting him too. I know he's going to be doing that swinging and kicking stuff, but if he puts his legs down for one minute it's over because it's going to be my game!"

Bonjasky, whose his first loss in almost a year came after an uninspired effort against Francisco Filho last month, will have a shot at redemption in the penultimate bout, where his opponent will be the hard-hitting Francois "The White Buffalo" Botha of South Africa.

"I want to thank my team and K-1, I am looking forward to a great match tomorrow," said Bonjasky. Replied Botha, "I love Remy, he's a nice man, but I hate him now, and everybody knows that the Buffalo comes to fight!" Without missing a beat, a smiling Bonjasky leaned forward: "I love you too, Francois!" We'll see how all this plays out in the ring.

Another eagerly-anticipated bout will see Alexy "The Scorpion" return to K-1 Rules with a fight against former IBF Cruiserweight Champion "King" Arthur Williams of the USA. Williams, who at 39 is a full 14 years Ignashov's senior, told the press, "It's time to go to war, and that's all I have to say."

Three-time K-1 World Grand Prix Champion Peter Aerts of the Netherlands will meet the red-hot MMA fighter Gary Goodridge of Trinidad and Tobago.

"I don't have much to say," said Aerts, "but it's going to be a good fight. Goodridge: "Thanks to Steve Kalakuda and my sister for helping me train for this fight, I am a head-hunter, it's simple -- I train for a long fight but I plan to finish it in the first two minutes!"

Affable Jan "The Giant" Nortje of South Africa, coming off an impressive win over compatriot Mike Bernardo this March 27, will step in American Tom Erikson, who has lost his last three K-1 bouts.

Said the Giant: "It will be two big men trying to knock each other out, I'll see you tomorrow, Tom, I'm looking forward to it!" Erikson drew a round of laughter with his remarks: "Jan and I are friends but I will try to take his head off tomorrow. After the fight I will give it back to him, he can put it on and we will be friends again!"

Sweden's favorite son, the quick and technical Martin Holm, will step in against Swiss fighter Xhavit Bajrami of Team Andy. Bajrami got in as a late substitute for Marvin Eastman after the 35 year-old American did not pass his pre-fight medical check.

"I was prepared for Marvin Eastman," said Holm, "but it doesn't matter because in K-1 you have to be prepared for anyone. It will be a good show!"

The ageless Canadian, defending K-1 USA Champion Michael McDonald will take on 32 year-old Japanese Seidokaikan fighter Takeru.

Said McDonald: "It’s good to be back in Japan. Even though I had such short notice, I am always ready for a fight. Tomorrow there will be no excuses, I'll put on a good show." Takeru also promised to put on a good fight. "I hope you enjoy it," he said.

Carter Williams, who has lost three of his last four, will try to recapture the form that earned him the 2003 K-1 USA Championship when he steps in against kickboxer Petr Vondracek of the Czech Republic.

"I want to say thanks to K-1 for the chance," said Williams, "and I feel very confident."

There was a bit of a shoe issue in the days leading up to this event. Explained K-1's Game Producer Nobuaki Kakuda: "Some of the boxers asked if hey could wear their [laced, rigid-soled] boxing shoes. At the rule meeting today, we decided to allow them to do so if they do not throw any kicks. So that could be interesting, a straight boxing stance against a K-1 style, we'll see!" (At the press conference, King Arthur Williams confirmed that he would wear boxing shoes tomorrow and eschew kicks, because, he explained "I'm a boxer and I'm comfortable with my boxing shoes.")

While the talk was of shoes, Francois Botha issued a challenge to his opponent. "Remy," he said, "how about you and I wear boxing shoes tomorrow?" Bonjasky laughed at the prospect of giving up his most lethal weapons. "Well," he laughed, "maybe we could only wear shoes on our left feet, and keep the right legs available?"

Botha then addressed reporters: "I want to say, seriously, that it is difficult for us boxers to adjust to K-1, but I think tomorrow the fans will see that we are working hard to do so, and we are getting better and better!"

A final note on boxing shoes -- Ray Mercer has apparently elected not to lace his up. "He's not going to wear shoes," said trainer Michael Glynn, "he's worked on a few things, and he'll be kicking tomorrow!"

K-1 Event Producer Sadaharu Tanikawa closed out the press conference: "We are delighted to be back in Nagoya, and I want to apologize to fighters and fans alike for the late changes to the card this time. I am looking forward to the event, it will be interesting to see the showdown between boxers and K-1 fighters. I also believe every match tomorrow could be the main event, and I expect all fighter to do their best!"