Kempo Chris
11-07-2003, 10:19 AM
Masato To Face Former IBF Boxing Champ Phillips At November 18th K-1 Max
By Michael Afromowitz
muaythaimes@aol.com
[November 03, 2003] As the wave of interest in K-1’s 200-plus pound division continues to grow from elite boxers worldwide, a fighter from the ranks of the sweet science has stepped forward to take the K-1 challenge at the 154-pound limit.
Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Junior Welterweight Champion, Vince “Cool” Phillips, will make his debut in “The New Fighting Sport” when he squares off with none other than top-rated K-1 champion, Masato during the Tuesday, November 18th K-1 World Max card in Japan.
Once considered one of the most promising fighters in his profession, Phillips is best remembered for being the only man, to date, to defeat reigning undisputed junior welterweight champion, Kostya Tszyu. On May 31, 1997, he hammered out a 10th round technical knockout over Tszyu in Atlantic City, New Jersey to earn the IBF crown. Fewer than three months later, he stopped former world champion “Irish” Mickey Ward inside of three rounds to retain his belt. Phillips made two more successful defenses before suffering a fifth round knockout at the hands of Terron Millett on February 20, 1999.
Since his heyday, Phillips, who celebrated his 40th birthday in July, has since seen his career take a downward turn due to ongoing personal problems. His last appearance in the boxing ring came on April 5th when he took on British contender Ricky Hatton in Manchester, England. Hatton, currently rated number three by both the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the World Boxing Council (WBC), controlled the fast-paced action throughout 12 rounds before earning a unanimous decision. Despite the recent hard times he has experienced, Phillips will still bring to K-1 a healthy professional boxing record of 44-8-1 (32 KO’s). v In 24-year-old Masato, who claimed the first-ever World Max title last year, the boxer will, in all likelihood, be welcomed to K-1 style fighting in intense fashion. Over the last several years, the Japanese native has been dominant in the world of stand-up fighting at the 160-pound limit and is regarded by many as the most dangerous pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Also a former International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) World Welterweight champion, Masato brings an outstanding record of 32-3-2 (18 KO’s) into the fight.
http://www.k-1usa.net/images/news/large/110303.gif
By Michael Afromowitz
muaythaimes@aol.com
[November 03, 2003] As the wave of interest in K-1’s 200-plus pound division continues to grow from elite boxers worldwide, a fighter from the ranks of the sweet science has stepped forward to take the K-1 challenge at the 154-pound limit.
Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Junior Welterweight Champion, Vince “Cool” Phillips, will make his debut in “The New Fighting Sport” when he squares off with none other than top-rated K-1 champion, Masato during the Tuesday, November 18th K-1 World Max card in Japan.
Once considered one of the most promising fighters in his profession, Phillips is best remembered for being the only man, to date, to defeat reigning undisputed junior welterweight champion, Kostya Tszyu. On May 31, 1997, he hammered out a 10th round technical knockout over Tszyu in Atlantic City, New Jersey to earn the IBF crown. Fewer than three months later, he stopped former world champion “Irish” Mickey Ward inside of three rounds to retain his belt. Phillips made two more successful defenses before suffering a fifth round knockout at the hands of Terron Millett on February 20, 1999.
Since his heyday, Phillips, who celebrated his 40th birthday in July, has since seen his career take a downward turn due to ongoing personal problems. His last appearance in the boxing ring came on April 5th when he took on British contender Ricky Hatton in Manchester, England. Hatton, currently rated number three by both the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the World Boxing Council (WBC), controlled the fast-paced action throughout 12 rounds before earning a unanimous decision. Despite the recent hard times he has experienced, Phillips will still bring to K-1 a healthy professional boxing record of 44-8-1 (32 KO’s). v In 24-year-old Masato, who claimed the first-ever World Max title last year, the boxer will, in all likelihood, be welcomed to K-1 style fighting in intense fashion. Over the last several years, the Japanese native has been dominant in the world of stand-up fighting at the 160-pound limit and is regarded by many as the most dangerous pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Also a former International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) World Welterweight champion, Masato brings an outstanding record of 32-3-2 (18 KO’s) into the fight.
http://www.k-1usa.net/images/news/large/110303.gif