Latest Final 16 Rumor: Tyrone Spong v. Ruslan Karaev
by Fraser Coffeen on Sep 7, 2010 8:32 PM EDT
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The Final 16 rumor mill continues to turn. The latest fight making the rounds on various sites is Tyrone Spong v. Ruslan Karaev. Some sites are claiming this info comes direct from Team Mr. Perfect, where Spong trains under the legendary Ernesto Hoost.
Like the rest of the rumored fights so far, I love the sound of this one. This is a very close fight between two men trying to find their place in the K-1 ranks.
The #12 ranked Karaev was considered one of the top stars of the new generation not long ago. He's since been clearly surpassed by Badr Hari, and, to a lesser extent, fighters like Errol Zimmerman and Ewerton Teixeira. He has some big recent wins (over Kyotaro a year ago) and some rough loses (an all too easy KO by Hari last year), but a motivated Karaev has the ability to beat anyone. The obvious question is - will this be a motivated Karaev?
At #14 in the rankings, Tyrone Spong is another fighter looking to reclaim the highly touted spot he once held. Spong has struggled to find his consistency since making the move to Heavyweight last year. He hasn't taken many fights since switching to Hoost's camp, so this will be another chance for him to really establish himself in K-1.
At this point, we have 6 rumored Final 16 fights: Spong v. Karaev, Edwards v. Overeem, Hari v. Gerges, Kyotaro v. Saki, Le Banner v. Zimmerman, and Aerts v. Teixeira. If these are all true, that leaves 2 remaining fights yet to be announced. Those two fights would include Semmy Schilt and Freddy Kemayo, along with two more wild card fighters yet to be announced. I still think Daniel Ghita has a good shot at being included, as do Alexey Ignashov and Ray Sefo.
As always, until this is officially announced by K-1, this is not confirmed, and has to be taken as a rumor.
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Sounds like a great card.
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by FloydJoyMayweatherSR on Sep 7, 2010 10:45 PM EDT reply actions
Agreed! What I think is amazing about this so far is that the Final 16 is often something of a throwaway show, where the winners of the fights are pretty clear. Last year that were a bunch of fights where an upset maybe could have happened, but there was a definite favorite (Schilt v. Ghita, Hari v. Samedov, Zimmerman v. Feitosa, Bonjasky v. Manhoef, Teixeira v. Jaideep). This card is loaded with fights that are really close and tough to call. I honestly think the only fight that is not that close is Overeem v. Edwards, and even there Edwards’s punching power gives him the puncher’s chance, and should make for a fun fight.
So yeah, hell of a card so far if it happens like this.
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by Fraser Coffeen on Sep 7, 2010 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed this final 16 looks very competitive
I felt the sameway that fighters were being fed last year.
I really hope the rumors are true, and im happy to see spong in action. Still waiting for k1 to make some kind of a lhw class where guys like spong and saki and karaev dont get outmuscled but i guess thats just wishful thinking
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by robinhorobson on Sep 8, 2010 4:36 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
spong takes this
Ruslan is exciting but done, he doesnt fight to often so he will also have to deal with ring rust.
But im little but of a spong fan and you sound like a karaev fan so we will see
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3. Phil ''Mr. Wonderful'' Davis
4. Terry Etim
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by robinhorobson on Sep 8, 2010 4:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The obvious question is – will this be a motivated Karaev?
This.
I love Ruslan, when he makes an effort he is brilliant. But he hasn’t fought at all since fighting Badr last Dec, and at that fight he acted like he just didn’t care. I really hope he comes in fighting like we all know he can. But I’m preparing for the disappointment.
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k1 final 16
yes Daniel Ghita has confirmed (romanian press) that he will fight in final 16 he said that there were negotiation with Schilt,Overeem and Saki but nothing is established yet; Tanykawa said on his twitter that Ignashov isn’t fully recovered probably he will not fight also Sefo said its probably he will be fighting to in FINAL 16 but he is not sure, that lives only 1 spot it will be between Manhoef and Catinas i think
Iggy
I hope Ignashov gets his card, and does what he has loves best
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