Kempo Chris
11-24-2003, 05:06 PM
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From www.K1-USA.com
Deceiving Looks - Interview with Stefan Leko
By Michael Afromowitz
Some fighters add more to their sport than a set of pugilistic skills and a nasty killer instinct that allows them to mercilessly prey on another individual in the ring. Some possess a unique, innate look – perhaps a rough and rugged exterior that might instill a dose of fear into their competition - or a bold and brave, yet modest look of a hero that, when combined with a humble personality, make them an object of admiration to fight fans.
With his golden tan and frosted locks of hair combined with a trendy wardrobe that he sports outside of the squared circle, K-1 star Stefan Leko looks more like a movie star or some type of men’s fashion model than a fearless gladiator in a sport that boasts an 80% knockout rate. Given his track record, though, no one can deny Leko’s credibility inside the ropes.
As his eighth year in martial arts fighting’s premiere tournament circuit winds down, Leko has the opportunity on Saturday, December 6th to put an exclamation point on an outstanding season that has seen him earn victories in all four of his appearances. For the fifth time in his career, the German-born kickboxer will make a bid for the K-1 “World Grand Prix Finals” championship during the eight-man, single-elimination event staged in the 70,000-crowd capacity Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. As the remarkable improvement that he has made since capturing the August 2001 K-1 “World Grand Prix Semifinals” cup in Las Vegas, Nevada, so do his odds of standing in the winners’ circle next month.
Q: How would you rate your performance against Francisco Filho? (Note: On October 11th, Leko defeated Filho in Osaka, Japan by way of unanimous judges’ decision to gain entry into the World Grand Prix Finals draw.)
A: I was in top shape. Every fight I am progressing. My stamina and conditioning were perfect. I think that my performance was okay. I almost won the fight by knockout. If the third round would have been 10 seconds longer, I might have. But, I won every round and that was good enough for me.
Q: Last year, you made a dramatic change in your camp by moving to Holland to train with Cor Hemmers and Team Golden Glory. How do you feel this switch has improved your skill level?
A: Of course it helped. Everybody could see the change. I am also learning more and more to listen to my corner. Before, I did almost everything myself. People say I am getting more and more like (former world Muay Thai champion Ramon) Dekkers. (Note: Dekkers was also coached by Hemmers.) I feel that way too, but more so in terms of condition and stamina. For his weight, (Dekkers) was unbelievably powerful and one of a kind. Cor Hemmers is a real mentor and, during the training sessions, it is business as usual – no jokes, no fun. Just hardcore training with the group.
Q: How has training with Cor changed your fighting style?
A: I guess I feel a lot more self-secure and more complete. My combinations are getting better as well as my high kick. I am still working on my strength – I’m the lightest guy in the circuit.
Q: At this stage of your career, how well prepared do you feel you are to win the Tokyo Dome tournament next month?
A: I feel 100 percent. I also think that my competition feels that way about me because at the (lottery) drawing I had the first number and nobody chose to me as an opponent. That is a compliment.
Q: Last year, you changed your hair style from bald head to blonde. How, in any way, is this dramatic switch symbolic of changes you’ve gone through as a person and a fighter?
A: It is just a think from Golden Glory. Heath (Herring), Chalid (Arrab), and myself – we all have the same hairdresser, Ali, and he likes to be creative.
Q: A lot of people identify with the personalities that fighters bring the ring. How do you want to be recognized amongst K-1’s fans?
A: I thank my hairdresser for his creativity and my manager and my trainer for my nickname and “blitz brother” act. My image and popularity have improved a lot the last 15 months. Good performances with a good act and a good team – this all makes me feel invincible.
Q: The last time we spoke, you had been contemplating a career in acting. Has anything come of this?
A: It is my manager, Bas Boon, who is guiding me in this area. Right now, I am preparing myself 100 percent for the K-1 Grand Prix. There are some producers from Europe and from America who are seriously interested. Before I do anything of that kind, though, I will stop fighting and take acting lessons and work on my English.
Q: What types of roles do you see yourself playing in movies?
A: Everybody says that I have a good face, so maybe a non-speaking role in the beginning. Good or bad does not matter. I did some modeling work before and I don’t mind making commercials or other interesting things after my fighting career.
Q: On December 6th, your first opponent will be Cyril Abidi of France. What do you know about Cyril and how do you think you will match up with him?
A: He is unpredictable, maybe even unorthodox. He beat my training partner, Chalid, in round two by a strange high kick. He beat Peter Aerts twice. I don’t underestimate him, but my boxing skills are far more superior than his. So is my conditioning. I cannot see myself losing that fight.
Q: Where do you feel you rank amongst K-1’s greatest fighters right now?
A: I saw some top 10 lists and I am in the top five of almost every list. I want to be number one. I am fighting now for almost eight years with K-1 and won four qualification tournaments. Nobody else in K-1 did this. I am proud of that accomplishment. This year is my tournament. If everything goes as planned, I will win.
Q: From what you saw of the other fights in Osaka in October, how competitive do you feel this year’s World Grand Prix Finals tournament will be?
A: My draw is perfect. It went kind of strange because I had the first (lottery pick), but it turned perfect for me. I think I will beat Abidi to then fighting (Remy) Bonjasky, who I beat before (Note: Last August in Las Vegas, Leko defeated Bonjasky in a five-round Superfight by unanimous judges’ decision.). Then it will be the winner of Aerts versus (Alexey) Ignashov, who will probably face (Ray) Sefo in the semifinals. Whoever comes out of that will be damaged. In all of my tournaments in went like this: If I won the first fight, I won the tournament. This year, I am undefeated and have beaten some pretty big names out there. It is my time. Watch out for the blitz brothers. It is going to be a blitzkrieg there in Tokyo.
From www.K1-USA.com
Deceiving Looks - Interview with Stefan Leko
By Michael Afromowitz
Some fighters add more to their sport than a set of pugilistic skills and a nasty killer instinct that allows them to mercilessly prey on another individual in the ring. Some possess a unique, innate look – perhaps a rough and rugged exterior that might instill a dose of fear into their competition - or a bold and brave, yet modest look of a hero that, when combined with a humble personality, make them an object of admiration to fight fans.
With his golden tan and frosted locks of hair combined with a trendy wardrobe that he sports outside of the squared circle, K-1 star Stefan Leko looks more like a movie star or some type of men’s fashion model than a fearless gladiator in a sport that boasts an 80% knockout rate. Given his track record, though, no one can deny Leko’s credibility inside the ropes.
As his eighth year in martial arts fighting’s premiere tournament circuit winds down, Leko has the opportunity on Saturday, December 6th to put an exclamation point on an outstanding season that has seen him earn victories in all four of his appearances. For the fifth time in his career, the German-born kickboxer will make a bid for the K-1 “World Grand Prix Finals” championship during the eight-man, single-elimination event staged in the 70,000-crowd capacity Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. As the remarkable improvement that he has made since capturing the August 2001 K-1 “World Grand Prix Semifinals” cup in Las Vegas, Nevada, so do his odds of standing in the winners’ circle next month.
Q: How would you rate your performance against Francisco Filho? (Note: On October 11th, Leko defeated Filho in Osaka, Japan by way of unanimous judges’ decision to gain entry into the World Grand Prix Finals draw.)
A: I was in top shape. Every fight I am progressing. My stamina and conditioning were perfect. I think that my performance was okay. I almost won the fight by knockout. If the third round would have been 10 seconds longer, I might have. But, I won every round and that was good enough for me.
Q: Last year, you made a dramatic change in your camp by moving to Holland to train with Cor Hemmers and Team Golden Glory. How do you feel this switch has improved your skill level?
A: Of course it helped. Everybody could see the change. I am also learning more and more to listen to my corner. Before, I did almost everything myself. People say I am getting more and more like (former world Muay Thai champion Ramon) Dekkers. (Note: Dekkers was also coached by Hemmers.) I feel that way too, but more so in terms of condition and stamina. For his weight, (Dekkers) was unbelievably powerful and one of a kind. Cor Hemmers is a real mentor and, during the training sessions, it is business as usual – no jokes, no fun. Just hardcore training with the group.
Q: How has training with Cor changed your fighting style?
A: I guess I feel a lot more self-secure and more complete. My combinations are getting better as well as my high kick. I am still working on my strength – I’m the lightest guy in the circuit.
Q: At this stage of your career, how well prepared do you feel you are to win the Tokyo Dome tournament next month?
A: I feel 100 percent. I also think that my competition feels that way about me because at the (lottery) drawing I had the first number and nobody chose to me as an opponent. That is a compliment.
Q: Last year, you changed your hair style from bald head to blonde. How, in any way, is this dramatic switch symbolic of changes you’ve gone through as a person and a fighter?
A: It is just a think from Golden Glory. Heath (Herring), Chalid (Arrab), and myself – we all have the same hairdresser, Ali, and he likes to be creative.
Q: A lot of people identify with the personalities that fighters bring the ring. How do you want to be recognized amongst K-1’s fans?
A: I thank my hairdresser for his creativity and my manager and my trainer for my nickname and “blitz brother” act. My image and popularity have improved a lot the last 15 months. Good performances with a good act and a good team – this all makes me feel invincible.
Q: The last time we spoke, you had been contemplating a career in acting. Has anything come of this?
A: It is my manager, Bas Boon, who is guiding me in this area. Right now, I am preparing myself 100 percent for the K-1 Grand Prix. There are some producers from Europe and from America who are seriously interested. Before I do anything of that kind, though, I will stop fighting and take acting lessons and work on my English.
Q: What types of roles do you see yourself playing in movies?
A: Everybody says that I have a good face, so maybe a non-speaking role in the beginning. Good or bad does not matter. I did some modeling work before and I don’t mind making commercials or other interesting things after my fighting career.
Q: On December 6th, your first opponent will be Cyril Abidi of France. What do you know about Cyril and how do you think you will match up with him?
A: He is unpredictable, maybe even unorthodox. He beat my training partner, Chalid, in round two by a strange high kick. He beat Peter Aerts twice. I don’t underestimate him, but my boxing skills are far more superior than his. So is my conditioning. I cannot see myself losing that fight.
Q: Where do you feel you rank amongst K-1’s greatest fighters right now?
A: I saw some top 10 lists and I am in the top five of almost every list. I want to be number one. I am fighting now for almost eight years with K-1 and won four qualification tournaments. Nobody else in K-1 did this. I am proud of that accomplishment. This year is my tournament. If everything goes as planned, I will win.
Q: From what you saw of the other fights in Osaka in October, how competitive do you feel this year’s World Grand Prix Finals tournament will be?
A: My draw is perfect. It went kind of strange because I had the first (lottery pick), but it turned perfect for me. I think I will beat Abidi to then fighting (Remy) Bonjasky, who I beat before (Note: Last August in Las Vegas, Leko defeated Bonjasky in a five-round Superfight by unanimous judges’ decision.). Then it will be the winner of Aerts versus (Alexey) Ignashov, who will probably face (Ray) Sefo in the semifinals. Whoever comes out of that will be damaged. In all of my tournaments in went like this: If I won the first fight, I won the tournament. This year, I am undefeated and have beaten some pretty big names out there. It is my time. Watch out for the blitz brothers. It is going to be a blitzkrieg there in Tokyo.