Gokhan Saki on Badr Hari: Fighting is About Controlling Your Emotions

by Dave Walsh on Jun 4, 2010 8:34 AM EDT in K-1 News

Gokhan Saki wants to kick Badr Hari in the throat.

Gokhan Saki is a fighter who has been under scrutiny the past year or so for some disappointing performances due to injuries and not having his head in the game. Saki came back to form over the weekend, taking out Melvin Manhoef at It's Showtime; a bout he wasn't even originally slated to be in. Fightnews.net spoke with him after the fight, and Saki took no time at all calling out Badr Hari and speaking out on Badr's unprofessional behavior.

"I'm the fastest heavyweight in the world - 100% - and I want to fight Badr Hari," said the 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix in Hawaii tournament champion.

"It's time to fight him - I want my rematch.

"He is the best and he is popular but I know I can beat him and I want to take his place.

"That's why I want to fight him and I'm confident I can beat him because I train hard and I'm a tactical fighter.

"He fights like Melvin Manhoef. He goes 20 seconds on full power and after that if you make good pressing you are going to win the fight for sure.

"It's about tactics - not just fighting. Like when I fought Manhoef - it's about controlling your emotions."

Saki is of the opinion that Hari - who was also disqualified in the 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix Final for stomping on the head of a downed Remy Bonjasky - committed his latest foul against Gerges because he was frustrated and beginning to gas out.

The technical Turkish-Dutchman said: "It's not nice what he did. I think Badr was going to win but he was tired, so that's why he made that action.

"I'm a fighter too, I know these things. It's not good what he did."

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So, basically

“Badr is a bad man and bad for the sport. But, I want to fight him b/c he’s a big name and it would probably make me alot of money.”

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by FloydJoyMayweatherSR on Jun 4, 2010 11:26 AM EDT reply actions

He never said Badr was bad for the sport. I’m sure money plays a factor in him wanting to fight Badr, but Badr, as of the last GP, is the best HW that doesn’t train at Saki’s gym, and Saki has a loss to him that Saki would like to avenge. If those two reasons aren’t enough, I don’t really know what is.

by JCVD on Jun 4, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Saki is making a big, big mistake in thinking Badr fights similarly to Manhoef. Aside from them both having scary power, I don’t see a whole lot of similarity. Melvin’s always had trouble with his defense past the first half-minute, like Saki says, but I don’t see Badr getting tired or his defense getting worse throughout the fight like Mahoef’s does. In fact, Badr’s one of the best fighters on the planet at coming back strong after a knockdown, maybe partly due to that temper of his.

Badr’s a jerk and I’d like to see Saki fight him, but if this is his mindset going in, he’s gonna get crushed.

by gzl5000 on Jun 4, 2010 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

I disagree

Badr has gotten frustrated and tired in the past if he tries to KO a guy and they’re still there, and has never had amazing defense. Badr comes back strong after knockdowns, but that’s because he gets more aggressive. Being aggressive works better for him than it does for Manhoef, because it’s harder to avoid his punches, especially when an opponent, having knocked him down, gets overaggressive themselves going for a KO. Saki has been very successful lately in staying calm, utilizing head movement and taking great angles no matter what the situation, so I really think he’s approaching a Hari fight the right way.

by JCVD on Jun 4, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions