Which country or region will be the strongest for max fighters in
the coming years and why?

My pick at the moment is Oceania region, because of the strong base that
they have already at that weight.

Good topic.. I think that is a difficult question.. Oceania has a very strong pool for sure but so does Europe and Japan. Apart from the known Japanese fighters- Masato, Kohi, Ohno etc. they have a number of up and comers such as Kojiro. The last time I checked the Ratchadamnern rankings there were 3 or 4 other Japanese fighters in the top 10 at jnr. middleweight also. I definately think Japanese fighters will win the K1 MAX in the coming years.

Obviously Thailand will do well, also, but how much the recent rule change limiting clinching will affect fighters from this region remains to be seen. But I think we will see Thais winning this tournament too.

Masato..

Kojiro..

Masato..

Kojiro..

Satankid,
do you knowwhat weight is Kojiros WMC title? who he beat for it?

Thanks!

Bryan

Nitta..

Kohiruimaki Takayuki..

Takashi Ohno..

Ryuji Goto..

Brian popejoy... I don't think Kojiro holds a WMC title. I know he holds the NJKF (New Japan Kickboxing Federation) Jnr. Middleweight belt though.

It kind of looked like the WMC logo on his belt in that photo, then again, it's late here and My eyes may be playing tricks on me :)

you don't happen to know about Kobayashi fighting in an 8 man at Lumpini, do you?

Thanks!

I just found out on your thread!

Takayuki fought Ben Smullen here in Oz and was very impressive, I'd Like to see him fight someone who can push him a lot more, he never really got out of first gear

Hi Grim Reaper,I have fought and beat two of the above Japanese fighters. The first one Akeomi Nitta 2 years ago by unanimous decision i did knock him down for an 8 count but he was a true warrior and one of the hardest low kickers.In the last K1 max event in Japan i Knocked out Takayuki Kohiruimaki in the 5th round,it was a very hard contest in which i had to take some serious leg kicks.I had been told that he would attack me from the bell,so i trained for that but in the fight he stood off and countered with very powerfull leg kicks.I would like to fight Masato on the next K1 Max event so ill have to wait and see what happens next year.Merry Xmas and happy new year.
Pete crooke.England.

Whos the japanese fighter with the tattoos and he moves around the ring really
fast this way and that, I think he does alot of backfists.

Shoshin... that's Genki Sudo. He's more of a novelty than a real contender. His main sport is MMA and he has won a few fights in the UFC.

Genki Sudo is a very exciting fighter in MMA.

Watched the K1 Max this week. They have some very exciting fighters out there in Japan.

Colin,

You are still a fan of K-1 even though it isn't pure Muay Thai? Which Japanese fighters do you like?

Duane BANG! Ludwig

Ole THUNDERCAT Laursen

Ole THUNDERCAT Laursen

Melchor Menor

Harsha.
No, i was never (and still am not) a fan of K1 at all. I don't follow it either.
But, Peter Crooke, a uk fighter gave me an interest to check out how he did, and i wanted to put something up about the fight on the website here in England.

I think the excitment is marketed into the fight very well in K1 and the fights themselves don't have to sell the sport as much as in mt (the sport i try to follow).
The fighters i saw on the K1 Max were all useful but marketed as outstanding.
I would have to see more of their fights to develope any favourites, which under the rules of K1 isn't something i'm lightly to do.

hi shoshin
from the little I've seen on tapes and read, for the jnr-super middleweights, i would rank:
1. France/Holland
2. Thailand
3. Oceania (mostly Australia)
4. Japan
could be wrong though, i am mostly going on what i know of past fighters, e.g. Hippolyte, Dany Bille, Sangtien Noi etc., which Oceania has not had fighters at their level yet, although Parr/Dawson/Chopper are getting there very quickly.

Report of Peter crookes fight now up on Duffy's site.

Great report Colin!

Read it here guys....http://www.britishthaiboxing.co.uk/reports/PeterCook/Pete%20Crooke%20K1%20Max%20(21-12-02).htm

Colins report