Here are some pictures of Carter in action against Bregy, from the K-1 2003 Grand Prix.

carter took a wicked left knee to the head in the first round. he was very
impressive coming back from that blow.

Carter congrats to you and Team Vodoo on another impressive Victory! keep up the great work!!

weird fighting a guy that tall a little differnt game plan but thats what its all about.
Carters happy with the win but wishes he had made the finals of course but thats destiny and that has to be excepted.
thanks to all the supporters.

He'll be back!

Gene

Pretty cool huh!!!!
YEA! look who supports!

nice pic gene.

the japanese fans loved your moustache.

What are the plans for Carter in year 2004?

I guess that the game-plan is to defend the K-1 USA title, and to get a ticket to the Dome next year. But what about in betweens? Any signed K-1 contract about fighting special fighters outside the USA?

Gene - you need to wash your face after eating ice cream! Its all hanging down your face!

Lol!

That 'tache is legendary!

Smiler

Gene,

Is Botha standing on your foot?) By the way, do the white buffalo Botha and you use the same razor, I see a similarity. At least in the color of the beard:)

Hope to see Carter back in the ring soon.

the k-1 was pretty good to botha. you could see him lighten up as the weekend went on. by the time the fan club party came around he was even playful.

it sure looked like botha was coming in for another dq punch while abidi
was down on the canvas early in the first. that was hilarious when abidi
kicked him in the face with both feet!

Gene,

Hey man...tell Carter I said congrats! Haven't seen him since Vegas.

We had a house full of people watching the fights... the post knockout comment (This is for all the girls whos name starts with K and O) was a hit. Matt and Kyle just shook their heads and said "C-Mack...."


I had to stop going to the gym because I'm in the proccess of buying my first house with my fiance. Cash has been tight. I'll have plenty of gut to work off once I get situated, so be ready for me!

Have a Merry Christmas!

Colby

well were home now. I'm really happy I won and I hope that Bregy is Ok we did'nt get to say bye.
we had a great time.
I learned a whole bunch and hopfully will obsorb on the next opponent.
theres so many outstanding fighters out there it gets more exciting everyday.

did you see the other fights? any observations on iggy looking stoned again,
musashi's improvement, bonjasky, etc?

he did have a weird look, don't know what to say?

iggy seemed extremely introverted. on a few occasions he hammed it up but mostly he kept quiet. when he saw something funny he would just laugh to himself whereas someone like peter graham would point it out for everyone to see.

when you let to dog out to play, he'll run three steps and then look back to see if you are coming too. cats on the other hand never look back. iggy is more like a cat in that respect. he is very comfortable as a loner.

im really referring to his ring personality. how is his english?
iggy is puzzling because he is so inconsistent. he seems a little too laid back
to start a fight, but once he takes a shot, then he wakes up and turns it on.
some fights, this never happens and he never gets aggressive. his flashes of
brilliance make people think he could be the next big grand prix winner, but then
he goes and disappoints ( filho 2 years back, aerts this year, etc)

Hey Gene nice T. Regards to you , Bear and Carter and have a good Christmas. I will call once I am in LA.

Do that Dixon and we'll come down, next weekend were going to talk to some producers in Hollywood.
Looks like they think he might fit in movie deal there working on , kinda neat.
You guys have agreat New Year and stay safe.
Gene/Carter/Bear

Congrats to Carter, he was the man of the day in respect of being the youngest as for age but by far not the greener one in respect to ring behavior. It is "the" mark of tallent.

Ignashov is also young. The fact that possible lack of experience leaves a mark inside him will not be seen on his face because he's less readable but is sometimes visible in his ring behavior. Remember Leko being accused of "sleeping in the ring" in his younger days, Hug being beaten raw by guys who would now dream to have his name although for sure not his sad fate, many others who had been waxing and waning but finally earning a very respected status. Apart Mark Hunt he is the single one not to have been out and down in a bunch of matches which says a lot about such a young fighter, and he has the advantage of having bunch of time ahead to improve. Aerts was his unlucky match and maybe the day was his less inspired day. But he is to be credited as able to change this. Everything in his evolution confirms it.

as in all good things come to those who wait!!

carter will likely be remembered as the 2003 Rookie of the Year whether they have such an award or not.

waiting is a burden that carter will not have to endure for long.

There will plenty of awards, if the "Rookie" continues fighting and developing in the same speed as he did in year 2003.

I got this feeling, that year 2004 we will be Carter Williams, Martin Holm, Remy's and Ignashov’s year, and maybe also the year where two Dutch champions is retiring from the K-1.

Just remember when you are watching the Carter v Remy final in 2004 that you heard it from me first!

Phil,

All depending "if" Jerome and Hoost still is in the game?

And don’t forget Ignashov and Holm, they can also both win the title, with a little luck and a good draw and start in the tournament… If they qualify etc... But it is far too early to talk about the 2004 Grand prix. Injuries still exist.

And for the 2nd, I will like to see Remy Bojansky the new champ defeat some of the top fighters in the game, before I will tip him as a favourite next year. All my deepest respect to Bojansky, he is an amazing fighter, one of my favourites in the K-1, but Remy did fight the 3 weakest fighters of them all in the 2003 Grand prix. Peter Graham, Abidi and Musashi are not in my book impressive opponents to defeat to become champion.

Aerts, Ignashov and a healthy Ray Sefo would have been more than a task for Remy to defeat, and I will like to see him fight opponents of that calibre - before I myself make him a favourite to win against next year.

I will say that Hoost, Jerome, Holm, Ignashov, Mark Hunt, Martin Holm, Carter Williams and Sefo all are candidates to the title, if they get a good start and are fit and healthy. Remy is strong and fast, but still he has to defeat amd fight stronger fighters, to be “the” top contender in the K-1, as Aerts and Hoost was for years in the late 90’s.

Talking injuries, we also have to remember bad judgement and a bad luck. It is a cocktail of many ingredients to become champion and to make it to the Dome.

Not sure if I'd include Holm in that list, as while hes a decent fighter hes yet to really shine as a top contender. Hes always been one of the lighter fighters (98kg or around there), and I thought he looked really hammered when he faced Sefo. Holms single technique seemed to be his knees, but Sefo defended against those easily and returned with great hooks. Maybe it was just a strategic mistake?

Heres a question, if all fighters over 35 retired, and Hunt doesn't want to fight, Schilt and Crocop stick to MMA... who would you think would be the best picks for the final 8?

Me.

Ignashov
Holm
Bonjasky
Sefo (only 33)
Williams
Leko
Venitan
Jerome

Hunt will be back
Cro Cop shouldn't be counted out nor Should Shilt

i wouldnt be surprised if, by the 2005 g.p. hoost, aerts, bernardo, filho, sefo,
hunt and lebanner are all gone due to age and injuries. we might not see any of
these guys next year ( although i would guess one or two would still be around)

i think ignashov, leko, bojansky and williams have a good chance to be the next
to win, but it could be wide open.

leko and schilt look to be longshots to even get k-1 contracts. i'd bet on matt skelton getting a lucrative contract before these two.

aerts has been to 11 grand prix tournaments in a row. i don't think we'll ever see that again in our lifetimes. i hope he makes it 12 times.

it is nice to see opinions change so quickly. before carter was dog meat against sefo. everyone was calling for an early KO. "carter needs a few more years to make the top ten". now, these same people are calling him a future champ who can win as early as next year.

I am one of them you refer to Felix.

I did say that Carter Williams needs about two more years, to be a complete fighter and top contender for the belt in the Dome. I still think that!

Carter Williams elbow punch against Sefo is a good example - it showed that Carter still need more experience and a bigger overview, when he is about to close and win an important fight against a top fighters.

But still Carter has the power and technique to make it today. Just as Martin Holm also has the chance to win against the biggest names in the game - even do he also need more fights against big names to get more routine.

Still I will say and maintain my point of view, that if Carter was one of the 8 in the 2003 Grand Prix - fighting for the title in the tournament, he would not have been the favorite in my book. That he will be in a couple of years, if he continues developing in the same track as he is today.

So my opinions dont change so quickly, still I have nothing but respect for Carter.



My picks for the best 8 to fight in the Grand Prix 2004 would be (All fighters, not talking age):

Jerome Le Banner
Ignashov
Remy Bojansky
Martin Holm
Carter Williams
Ray Sefo
Ernesto Hoost
Mark Hunt

And then I have Leko, Aerts and Semmy as substitutes.

I don’t believe that Leko will become champion, even do he is in a hot stream and a golden period of his career. So was Jerome before Hunt put an end to that, and I have 10 times more faith in Jerome and in his power, than I have in Leko. The entire list of fighters above in my top 8 has what it takes to stop Leko.

oliver,

you are not the only one to have doubted carter's ability. i'm sure even carter didn't know he would create such an impact so soon. before the sefo fight a lot of people were saying he wouldn't last the whole fight. in the end though there was not a mark on his face.

if he were in the grand prix 2003? he would have face musashi, aerts and then bonjaski. i can't really say if he would have done well or not. he could have knocked them all out or he could have lost on points.

is there a reason why crocop isn't on your list?

Hi!

Remy is the current future of K1, IMHO, and as he steps down, Carter will step up, IMHO.

I think Carter will become one of the main faces of K1, and get to the finals next year, and for the two years afterwards - he'll beat most of the big names at some time in this period, but also come unstuck a couple of times too - he'll become champion in 2005-6, and probably go on to take it four or five times.

I agree with Oliver, that Carter needs just a couple of years more experience, and then will fullfill his potential, that already shows incredible promise.

Carter will become the future of K1.

If Carter continues to listen to his mentor, Gene, that is! He's good for you Carter! And you're good for him!

But Oliver...don't write off the Brits....Me, Pele Reid, Gordon Minors, Shaun Johnson, Mark Russell...we're a coming! Lol!

Smiler

i was reading somewhere about lebanners arm. i guess he came back too soon and
reinjured it, the metal rod they put in his arm is not setting properly. as
much as i like watching jerome and thought he could win it any year now, this
arm trouble sounds serious and could prevent him from ever winning a g.p.

carter impressed a lot of people with his fight against ray. he showed that he
was further along than anyone thought.
just like musashis performance in this last g.p. was way beyond what anyone
would have believed before. i dont know if hell ever win a g.p., but i dont
consider him to be a doormat of the division anymore. he could definitely beat
some top ranked fighters next year. wasnt it just a year ago tha ishii was saying
that he was disappointed in musashis performance and was looking for someone else
to bring k-1 glory to japan?

Felix,

The reason and only reason why CroCop not is on my list is, that he has not been fighting in the K-1 since his fight against Bob Sapp - And I guess he is more or less a Pride/MMA fighter today, and not a K-1 fighter?

But.... If the CroCop gets back in the game, he would be on my list.

I agree about Carter. He could have won, and who knows, maybe on KO all the way. What I am saying is, he was not one of my favourites for the title – “if” he was fighting in the tournament from the start instead of Sefo.





Smiler,

Pele will never make it, never. But I am looking forward to se you represent England. Kick behind in Spain and show how strong the Brits are:)

Got to agree with Oliver Im afraid, I cant see Pele beating the top boys which is a shame as it would be great to see a Brit do well. I was surprised when Dave Jackson mentioned how young Shaun Johnson is as I thought he was a lot older. Now I know this I feel he could do good things eventually. Never mind Mr Smiler who is already up there!

I think some people on here have the 'Mike Tyson' syndrome, something I used to suffer with myself. This is when your heart rules your head and you think the past glories of fighters add up to what they can do now. Unfortunately this doesnt work as people do get older and slow down, injure more easily etc., sad as it is to see. If this werent the case then Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler would reign still reign supreme!

Oliver,

Dunno about Pele...

He's a great mate and I've known him competitively since 1988, back from our light continuous days - we fought about 5 or 6 times on that circuit!

One thing about Pele is he likes to learn and adapt, and will change the way he fights. He's determined, and he's working hard at changing and improving.
Although his jaw is suspect, he knows that, and he'll be working hard on protecting it.

I say give him next year to see how he does, I think that'll give everyone a better chance to see what he's capable of - then we can write him off, or watch as he goes all the way....I think he's booked in against Tony Gregory on the 24th April 2004 in Birmingham....that'll be a nice test, and hopefully his first K1 win!

I'll do my best in Spain! Win, lose or draw, you'll see smiles, sportsmanship, effort and determination, together with hopefully a much improved fighter than the one you saw against Bregy! I'm looking forward to it!

Smiler

I saw Carter last night on TV against Sefo, and .....WOW!!!

This was the first time I had seen him fight, and I agree with what Smiler said, this guy is the future of K1.

I cant wait to see more of his fights, and team Voodoo are doing a very good job with him.

All the best fellas

So Pele is defo not fighting on K1 UK then?

Not at the mo....

But he is down for April 24th at the NEC show....possibly fighting Tony Gregory of France...

Smiler

Tony Gregory is strong, so I think Pele will get a tough fight - and as I see it, Tony is the favourite to win this one.

Oliver,

Agreed! But I think Pele will surprise at how much he has come on - I hope so anyway!!

Smiler

Its funny how people say about fighters that they dont have a chance i remember people saying Hunt would lose to Lebanner see what happened, who apart from carters team gave him a chance against sefo now all of a sudden those same people are supporting him i believe pele can do well after all i thought he put up a great fight against sefo in his first outing lot of people wasnt expecting to see that it was his first k-1 fight and he didnt do too bad in fact he lasted lot longer than some of the others.OSU

Seido Good Point on Pele - I'd love to see him do well and to be honest he is still learning his craft under K-1 rules, he has all the right attirbutes , I do remember Andy Hug getting KO by Patrick Smith, and a couple of other no hopers early on, and Andy did OK eventually ...

(although I do think it is harder now with the calibre or young fighters coming through to completely relearn from scratch.)

Seido and Mike,

I agree, although Oliver's opinions are always based on fact - he hasn't written Pele off for the sake of it, he's formed an opinon based on Pele's performances so far.

What Pele needs to do next year is start pulling in the performances he will be capable of, and changing the facts. At the moment, Oliver can't see Pele making it. What Pele has to do is give him the sight...

I know Pele better than most, having fought him so many times and travelled the world with him. He's putting the hard work in to improve, and hopefully will prove to me, you, everybody (isn't that a Blue's Brother's song?!??!) and of course himself, that he can reach his potential.

I know what its like to face Pele when he's on form, when he's prepared properly - and its scary!

He's now preparing, and I think by the middle of next year will have prepared properly...

Smiler

keep in mind that reaching one's peak and winning the grand prix are not the same thing. it was for mark hunt and perhaps aerts in '98 but it certainly isn't the rule.

carter is a few years from his peak but would have had as much a chance of winning the 2003 gp as anyone in the tournament.

I wish Pele all the luck in the world but there is one thing that all the training in the world wont change. That is the fact he has a relatively weak chin, which I feel will a huge obstacle against him doing well against the real top boys, but I would love to be proved wrong.

Hey Voodoo! Edgar Winters called, he wants his hair back!