It's Showtime Announces Badr Hari's Retirement from Kickboxing

by David Castillo on Sep 28, 2011 5:39 AM EDT in It's Showtime News

Badr Hari announces his retirement to the detriment of kickboxing.

It what can only be described as "sudden", It's Showtime has announced Badr Hari's impending retirement from the sport of kickboxing on their official website.

Badr Hari has decided to retire from kickboxing to start a new career as a boxer. On January 28, 2012, Badr Hari will fight his last kickboxing match on the IT’S SHOWTIME event in WTC Expo in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. After this fight, he will go to the United Stated to fully work on his boxing career.

This announcement will be a shock to the millions of kickboxing fans all around the world, but the sport of boxing will welcome and embrace this charismatic fighter.

In the U.S., many see Badr Hari as the man to relaunch the popularity of boxing, and he’s being seen as a mix of Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.

Even more bizarre than the news that Hari is retiring is the degree to which It's Showtime has their foot on the hyperbole accelerator in reflecting on Hari's boxing prospects. I'm no kickboxing effort, but I've seen enough Hari fights (and even chimed in atop my soapbox on his legal troubles) to know his defense leaves a lot to be desired. I do think Badr's mechanics are competent enough, but American boxing is nothing if not a polished, dedicated machine. David Haye would use Hari as a Moroccan toothpick, and not even Haye is part Tyson, or Ali. But nevermind the obviously absurd comparison.

In addition, It's Showtime appears to add weight to the rumor that the K-1 World Grand Prix may not even happen. However, the bad news is not to be outdone by the revelation that Gokhan Saki is also considering retiring from K-1. For a sport that is clearly ailing, this news couldn't come at a worse time. Daniel Herbertson has more at MMAFighting.

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yay!

No worries, this is actually good news, as we’ll get to see Badr KTFO in a few boxing matches (consider it Karma for Bojanksy and Hesdy)… and then Badr will have an interview lamenting his lack of success in boxing and come right on back to kickboxing.

by Adrian on Sep 28, 2011 10:04 AM EDT reply actions

Motherfucker..

This is horrible news. The most exciting and talented heavyweight kickboxer the last decade is quitting to go into regular old boxing? Extremely disappointing. Damn it.

by Horselover Fat on Sep 28, 2011 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

The most talented heavyweight kickboxer of the past decade is Semmy Schilt

Instead of writing dumbass poems and sucking off JMMA fighters, i should instead recognized the greatness that is Anderson Silva. The Pride is by far the most knowledgeable commentator on this site and you should all bow before him

by Johnny WF on Sep 28, 2011 11:40 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Disagree. He obviously has the better track record, but for just pure “talent”, I have to go with Badr.

by Horselover Fat on Sep 28, 2011 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Define "talent"

Is it the ability to defeat quality opposition on a regular basis? The ability to shut down opponents? Straight-up kickboxing acumen (which must be measured by success)?

I defy you to find someone better at those three than Schilt. I’m sick of people shitting on him just because he utilizes his physical gifts.

by Johnny WF on Sep 28, 2011 1:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Not looking like Paul Varelans and boring people to tears.

Look, Schilt is obviously the “better” kickboxer. I’m not disputing that. But a large part of that is his size, and Badr is simply more “talented”, in my opinion. If you don’t agree, fine, whatever.

by Horselover Fat on Sep 28, 2011 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

"Kickboxing is great. It combines the style and grace of boxing with... kicking." -- Norm MacDonald

Follow @RelentlessPace

by Anthony Pace on Sep 28, 2011 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

You still haven't defined "talent",

Socratic method. You can’t claim something is X or Y without defining X and Y.

I call “talent” ability in the sport. If someone is enormous and uses it well, that size is part of his talent.

And I love watching Semmy fight, especially when the two-handed clinch is permitted. The monstrous damage those knees and jabs inflict is fascinating to me.

by Johnny WF on Sep 28, 2011 9:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

/facepalm

"BE is the Fox News of MMA sites." - Teh Interwebz

Cageside Seats Sux- FloydSR

by FloydJoyMayweatherSR on Sep 28, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Excellent

I love watching Hari get hurt. Everyone from Chris Arreola up would eat him alive.

by Johnny WF on Sep 28, 2011 11:39 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

HOLY FUCK

Best kickboxer in the world retires in his prime… he’ll be back, though.

"Kickboxing is great. It combines the style and grace of boxing with... kicking." -- Norm MacDonald

Follow @RelentlessPace

by Anthony Pace on Sep 28, 2011 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

"Best kickboxer in the world"?

Right, the guy with no WGP wins is better than the guy with four and the record for fastest WGP win.

Hari isn’t and never was the best in the world. Semmy is.

by Johnny WF on Sep 28, 2011 1:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Best HW

Forgot about Georgio. But forget when Hari freaks out in the ring, he’s better than Remy was, and he and Semmy have split dominating wins.

"Kickboxing is great. It combines the style and grace of boxing with... kicking." -- Norm MacDonald

Follow @RelentlessPace

by Anthony Pace on Sep 28, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Greatness is measured by success

Hari has no WGP wins. At all. He’s failed twice in the finals (and yes, the inability to keep from stomping on a guy’s face is a weakness as a fighter. You can’t “forget” an incident like that when discussing someone’s greatness).

Four WGP titles. One in five minutes. Schilt is the greatest heavyweight kickboxer of the past decade, and for all of Hari’s potential, he hasn’t accomplished a fraction of what Semmy has.

by Johnny WF on Sep 28, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry Johnny, Semmy is not better P4P than Giorgio. Not even close.

As for Hari being a mix of Tyson and Ali, that is HILARIOUS.

by Fausto Geraci on Sep 28, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Okay, yeah, my bad

Giorgio is definitely the best kickboxer period. No argument here.

But heavyweights, Schilt > Hari

by Johnny WF on Sep 28, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

oh man

what is it with mma fighters and kickboxers thinking they can transition to boxing and succeed professionally? you’re fighting against guys who have used their hands their entire lives… maybe you could beat a bum or too, but against even journeymen, hari will get massacred.