Justinian
15-04-2008, 15:26
Voor de mensen die net als ik niet kunnen wachten, de finalepartij is gevochten op 12 april. De resultaten van de finale en de andere partijen staan hieronder. Dit is dus episode 15, terwijl we in Nederland episode 13 hebben gezien. De halve finales worden dus uitgevochten in episode 14 (waarschijnlijk a.s. donderdag beschikbaar).
LET OP: HIERONDER DE RESULTATEN
NIET GAAN ZEIKEN DAT ER SPOILERS STAAN, VERDER OP EIGEN RISICO:
Also, what a great deal to watch it live for only $25 (PayPal promotion) - you got to watch 6 fights in all, a return of the Kallang wave 'indoor' version, some cheering competition between fans of Soren & Sean Wright, Yod & JWP and also a birthday song singing by a group of audience which eventually led the rest of the audience joining in the fun. Fantastic atmosphere ! Estimated about 5000 spectators !
2 Exhibition matches of 3 rounds
1) Louis Wong WKO (Singapore, SEA Games representative) VS Sukadi Flash (Indonesia)
A surprisingly interesting flight, the two fighters were quite evenly matched, with fast punches and kicks making body contact. Sukadi Flash showed a hint of his agility during his Wai-Khru when he bounces about to move to the four different directions while in kneeling position. During the first round, Sukardi started fast and furiously by landing fast punches to Louis with his guard up. Sukardi somehow always manages to back away from Louis when Louis counter attack by lurches forward with a hook or swing. Louis though slower, seems to be the more muscular built fighter with more power in his strikes. Louis finally landed a direct hook to Sukardi’s face in the third round which ended in KO. Louis showed potential and warmed up the local audiences in their cheers.
2) Brenda Shee WOP (Singapore, SEA Games Bronze medalist, 18 yrs old, 5 fights, 3 wins) VS Sokron (Thailand, 42 fights, 35 wins) - Female fighters
From the fight statistics, I thought the Thai girl with ten times more fight experience would surely trash the Singapore girl. Besides, the Thai is bigger built than the Singapore gal. What a surprise to see that Brenda with only 5 fights actually displayed superior techniques, faster and more solid strikes than the Thai. There are many landed punches to the face from both sides but the punches seem to lack the power to even stagger the victim. However, in round 2, Brenda landed several continuous punches to the Thai that resulted in a count. By the third round the Thai gal seemed exhausted and her moves becomes sluggish while the Singapore girl actually becomes more focus and aggressive, scoring many strikes to her opponent’s face. Although no KO, Brenda won convincingly on points. Interesting fight with lots of action even though the strikes lack the power of a man fight.
3) Soren WOP VS Sean Wright for the Intercontinental Champion Belt
Very close and evenly matched technical fight until the last round. Sean seems to have the upper hand in the first four rounds, and I would have thought he would have won if it's a 4 round fight. Although both fighters scores strikes quite evenly for the first four rounds, Sean seemed to land slightly more direct punches to Soren’s face or tweep kicks to the body. But in the fifth round, Sean seems to have tired out and was not responding to Soren's punches and elbows. Soren must have caught up in this round and won on points. Soren became the new Intercontinental Champion Belt holder.
4) Zach WTKO VS Zidov (Rematch)
Another quite evenly matched fight. Zach displayed superior techniques and scores with his kicks. Zach manages to sweep Zidov off his feet a couple of times. Both Zach and Zidov did manage to connect their punches to their opponent face. Zach's eyes were actually swollen after the fight. In the 4th round, Zach connected a very nasty elbow on Zidov nose, and it bleed badly. But Zidov as usual display his toughness by continuing to fight after the blood gets wiped off. Zach kicks to Zidov causes him to bend over in pain, not so much in the power of the kick, but rather where it lands – his groan. This happens not once, not twice but three times ! It’s almost like Zach telling Zidov – these are for you making a Singapore girl pregnant! J ! But Zidov, as always got back up to continue the fight. I must say Zidov has a big heart and pure soul, because he still acknowledges Zach’s friendly gloves tap even after the third time he got kicked in his balls, never once thought that his opponent kicked him there on purpose. It was only in the ‘replay’ on the screen on top of the ring during the break that the audience got to see those kick-in-the-groan in slow motion – drawing the Ooooooh from the audience.
In the fifth round, Zidov desperately tries to KO Zach but Zach dominated and landed a few more punches to Zidov’s face which causes more serious bleeding until the fight was stopped by the judge and Zach won by TKO. The crowd started booing – not at the fighters but rather at the judges for stopping the fight. Stephen then announces over the microphone that the fight is stopped to ensure the safety of the boys and won over the audience who applauded. Finally, Zach not so much got his revenge but rather won back his honour in front of his country folks.
5) Dzhabar WOP VS Rafik (Grudge Match) and for the European Championship Belt
This would have seemed like the most interesting match after all the built-up in excitement and anticipation from the previous 4 matches which were very exciting and interesting. However, for a grudge match, it was disappointingly mild. In round one, I think there are less than 10 punches and kicks throw in total ! Both fighters seem to be weary of each other and did not make any aggressive moves. I guess Dzhabar must have remembered how Rafik almost won JWP who beat him in the last semi-final, and Rafik must have seen how Dzhabar KO Soren in the first round with a powerful right hook. It was only in the third round onwards, did the fight starts to warm up, with Rafik doing his signature spinning elbow a couple of times and Dzhabar throw a couple of his powerful right hook. Unfortunately none of these connected.
The fight was very close because there wasn't many significant contact if any at all. Dzhabar won by points 50 - 49, 49 - 48, and all 3 judges unanimously scores 1 point difference between the two with advantage to Dzhabar. After the fight when Dzhabar thanks his fans over the microphone, he concluded with by saying he forgive Rafik. Rafik also spoke and surprisingly came across as more PR polished, gentleman and humble, even congratulating Dzhabar on his win. Like the motto on the Contender Asia T-shirt (got free from Paypal Zone tickets holder) – Fear None Respect All – Hopefully Rafik truly got it now.
6) Yodsanklai WOP VS JWP (Grand Final)
What can I say, it is indeed the fight of the night. JWP displays the ferocity of an aging tiger trying to have its last fearsome roar. Yodsanklai, display his full range of kicks from his signature left high kicks, to low sweep, thigh kicks, tweep kicks etc. In fact Yod did tweep JWP many times whenever JWP seems too eager to lurch forward to execute fast multiple punches to his head. In round one, Yod manages to knock JWP to the floor, which JWP quickly got up. JWP did that multiple punch attack on Yod a number of times, with Yod dodging most of it, and Yod twice shrug his shoulders at JWP to tell him that he did not do any damage ! Yod connected 2 high kick to JWP head, but luckily, the impact was blocked by JWP hands. it did cut JWP eyebrown in the 2/3 round. There were a couple of instances when Yod execute the round house kick, we could see sweat droplets throw up by the force of the kick reflecting the lights, reinforcing the power of Yod’s kicks – its so damn awesome! like some natural special effects !
JWP to his credit still manages to entertain the crowd with a rarely seen move – he dodges Yod high kick by squatting down ! If only he combine it with a sweep to Yod’s leg to topple him, then it would have been a truly classic. In the 3th round, Yod land a punch on JWP face that threw him onto the canvass resulting in a count. JWP knowing that he could only win with a KO now, becomes more agressive in his multiple punches combo - which to his credit did scores and number of punches to Yod's face, but Yod somehow always managed to keep his composure to respond with a solid punch or elbow to JWP face / body. There was one punch which produces a ‘thud’ sound so loud that I could hear it even from the terrace. A very, very exciting fight with credit to JWP for putting up a ALL-OUT effort show ! In fact in the last and final round, JWP charging punches landed a couple of times on Yod’s face, which did momentarily stun him.
I could almost replay that moment in slow motion when I was in dilemma - both routing that JWP might succeed in KO Yody and let the old tiger has his last roar of honour and at the same time, hoping that Yody succeed in preventing a KO to win the title and let the deserving champion from a poor background take home the $150K to his mother. And when the final bell sounded, Yod knew that he had won and celebrates by running around and jumps onto the four corners of the ring, each time drawing cheers and applaud from the audience as he raises his arms. Not only was the fight fantastic with both fighters going ALL-OUT, the emotion that every punch and kicks drawing the Wooooh and Aaaaaah from the heart of the audience was truly amazing and can only be experienced live. This fight together with the others were certainly deserving to be in the Grand Final to an exciting series !
LET OP: HIERONDER DE RESULTATEN
NIET GAAN ZEIKEN DAT ER SPOILERS STAAN, VERDER OP EIGEN RISICO:
Also, what a great deal to watch it live for only $25 (PayPal promotion) - you got to watch 6 fights in all, a return of the Kallang wave 'indoor' version, some cheering competition between fans of Soren & Sean Wright, Yod & JWP and also a birthday song singing by a group of audience which eventually led the rest of the audience joining in the fun. Fantastic atmosphere ! Estimated about 5000 spectators !
2 Exhibition matches of 3 rounds
1) Louis Wong WKO (Singapore, SEA Games representative) VS Sukadi Flash (Indonesia)
A surprisingly interesting flight, the two fighters were quite evenly matched, with fast punches and kicks making body contact. Sukadi Flash showed a hint of his agility during his Wai-Khru when he bounces about to move to the four different directions while in kneeling position. During the first round, Sukardi started fast and furiously by landing fast punches to Louis with his guard up. Sukardi somehow always manages to back away from Louis when Louis counter attack by lurches forward with a hook or swing. Louis though slower, seems to be the more muscular built fighter with more power in his strikes. Louis finally landed a direct hook to Sukardi’s face in the third round which ended in KO. Louis showed potential and warmed up the local audiences in their cheers.
2) Brenda Shee WOP (Singapore, SEA Games Bronze medalist, 18 yrs old, 5 fights, 3 wins) VS Sokron (Thailand, 42 fights, 35 wins) - Female fighters
From the fight statistics, I thought the Thai girl with ten times more fight experience would surely trash the Singapore girl. Besides, the Thai is bigger built than the Singapore gal. What a surprise to see that Brenda with only 5 fights actually displayed superior techniques, faster and more solid strikes than the Thai. There are many landed punches to the face from both sides but the punches seem to lack the power to even stagger the victim. However, in round 2, Brenda landed several continuous punches to the Thai that resulted in a count. By the third round the Thai gal seemed exhausted and her moves becomes sluggish while the Singapore girl actually becomes more focus and aggressive, scoring many strikes to her opponent’s face. Although no KO, Brenda won convincingly on points. Interesting fight with lots of action even though the strikes lack the power of a man fight.
3) Soren WOP VS Sean Wright for the Intercontinental Champion Belt
Very close and evenly matched technical fight until the last round. Sean seems to have the upper hand in the first four rounds, and I would have thought he would have won if it's a 4 round fight. Although both fighters scores strikes quite evenly for the first four rounds, Sean seemed to land slightly more direct punches to Soren’s face or tweep kicks to the body. But in the fifth round, Sean seems to have tired out and was not responding to Soren's punches and elbows. Soren must have caught up in this round and won on points. Soren became the new Intercontinental Champion Belt holder.
4) Zach WTKO VS Zidov (Rematch)
Another quite evenly matched fight. Zach displayed superior techniques and scores with his kicks. Zach manages to sweep Zidov off his feet a couple of times. Both Zach and Zidov did manage to connect their punches to their opponent face. Zach's eyes were actually swollen after the fight. In the 4th round, Zach connected a very nasty elbow on Zidov nose, and it bleed badly. But Zidov as usual display his toughness by continuing to fight after the blood gets wiped off. Zach kicks to Zidov causes him to bend over in pain, not so much in the power of the kick, but rather where it lands – his groan. This happens not once, not twice but three times ! It’s almost like Zach telling Zidov – these are for you making a Singapore girl pregnant! J ! But Zidov, as always got back up to continue the fight. I must say Zidov has a big heart and pure soul, because he still acknowledges Zach’s friendly gloves tap even after the third time he got kicked in his balls, never once thought that his opponent kicked him there on purpose. It was only in the ‘replay’ on the screen on top of the ring during the break that the audience got to see those kick-in-the-groan in slow motion – drawing the Ooooooh from the audience.
In the fifth round, Zidov desperately tries to KO Zach but Zach dominated and landed a few more punches to Zidov’s face which causes more serious bleeding until the fight was stopped by the judge and Zach won by TKO. The crowd started booing – not at the fighters but rather at the judges for stopping the fight. Stephen then announces over the microphone that the fight is stopped to ensure the safety of the boys and won over the audience who applauded. Finally, Zach not so much got his revenge but rather won back his honour in front of his country folks.
5) Dzhabar WOP VS Rafik (Grudge Match) and for the European Championship Belt
This would have seemed like the most interesting match after all the built-up in excitement and anticipation from the previous 4 matches which were very exciting and interesting. However, for a grudge match, it was disappointingly mild. In round one, I think there are less than 10 punches and kicks throw in total ! Both fighters seem to be weary of each other and did not make any aggressive moves. I guess Dzhabar must have remembered how Rafik almost won JWP who beat him in the last semi-final, and Rafik must have seen how Dzhabar KO Soren in the first round with a powerful right hook. It was only in the third round onwards, did the fight starts to warm up, with Rafik doing his signature spinning elbow a couple of times and Dzhabar throw a couple of his powerful right hook. Unfortunately none of these connected.
The fight was very close because there wasn't many significant contact if any at all. Dzhabar won by points 50 - 49, 49 - 48, and all 3 judges unanimously scores 1 point difference between the two with advantage to Dzhabar. After the fight when Dzhabar thanks his fans over the microphone, he concluded with by saying he forgive Rafik. Rafik also spoke and surprisingly came across as more PR polished, gentleman and humble, even congratulating Dzhabar on his win. Like the motto on the Contender Asia T-shirt (got free from Paypal Zone tickets holder) – Fear None Respect All – Hopefully Rafik truly got it now.
6) Yodsanklai WOP VS JWP (Grand Final)
What can I say, it is indeed the fight of the night. JWP displays the ferocity of an aging tiger trying to have its last fearsome roar. Yodsanklai, display his full range of kicks from his signature left high kicks, to low sweep, thigh kicks, tweep kicks etc. In fact Yod did tweep JWP many times whenever JWP seems too eager to lurch forward to execute fast multiple punches to his head. In round one, Yod manages to knock JWP to the floor, which JWP quickly got up. JWP did that multiple punch attack on Yod a number of times, with Yod dodging most of it, and Yod twice shrug his shoulders at JWP to tell him that he did not do any damage ! Yod connected 2 high kick to JWP head, but luckily, the impact was blocked by JWP hands. it did cut JWP eyebrown in the 2/3 round. There were a couple of instances when Yod execute the round house kick, we could see sweat droplets throw up by the force of the kick reflecting the lights, reinforcing the power of Yod’s kicks – its so damn awesome! like some natural special effects !
JWP to his credit still manages to entertain the crowd with a rarely seen move – he dodges Yod high kick by squatting down ! If only he combine it with a sweep to Yod’s leg to topple him, then it would have been a truly classic. In the 3th round, Yod land a punch on JWP face that threw him onto the canvass resulting in a count. JWP knowing that he could only win with a KO now, becomes more agressive in his multiple punches combo - which to his credit did scores and number of punches to Yod's face, but Yod somehow always managed to keep his composure to respond with a solid punch or elbow to JWP face / body. There was one punch which produces a ‘thud’ sound so loud that I could hear it even from the terrace. A very, very exciting fight with credit to JWP for putting up a ALL-OUT effort show ! In fact in the last and final round, JWP charging punches landed a couple of times on Yod’s face, which did momentarily stun him.
I could almost replay that moment in slow motion when I was in dilemma - both routing that JWP might succeed in KO Yody and let the old tiger has his last roar of honour and at the same time, hoping that Yody succeed in preventing a KO to win the title and let the deserving champion from a poor background take home the $150K to his mother. And when the final bell sounded, Yod knew that he had won and celebrates by running around and jumps onto the four corners of the ring, each time drawing cheers and applaud from the audience as he raises his arms. Not only was the fight fantastic with both fighters going ALL-OUT, the emotion that every punch and kicks drawing the Wooooh and Aaaaaah from the heart of the audience was truly amazing and can only be experienced live. This fight together with the others were certainly deserving to be in the Grand Final to an exciting series !