David:

I don’t think that there are many people are fighters that are anxious to write off Hoost, not at all. Ernesto is a great fighter, and he is also one of the big favorites to win. (Again)

But Ernesto is not getting younger, and he do NOT have that much power in his punches, and if you look at Hoost group, he is in a group with the best boxers and most powerful punchers in the game. So it i going to be ultra hard for Hoost. Ok... Hoost got a great and powerful lowkick, but he is the type of fighter there almost always wins on points, and not that often wins by KO. I don’t believe that Hoost is strong enough to KO Leko in his first fight. So if Hoost are going to win and defeat Leko, it will be on points.

And starting a big tournament with a hard 3 or 4 rounds fight in your legs, is not the best start, especially not if Hunt or Jerome are the next in line. So if Hoost is going to win this year, he better be in the shape of his life.

As I see it, Jerome Le Banner and Ignashov most be the biggest favorites. Not only because they are the strongest in y eyes, but also because they haft the best opening draw.

Ignashov are going to fight Pettas in his first fight, and Pettas most be the "easiest" and also "weakest" fighter of the 8 in the tournament. So I think (personal bet) that Ignashov will win on KO in the 1st or 2nd round, and then he will be fresh and ready for Filho or Aerts, two fighters there are far from the best in theirs career.

Jerome are going to fight Hunt, who is big and also very strong fighter, with a fist made of stone! But Hunt is not on the same level as Jerome, so I think that Jerome will end the fight before time. And then he is going to fight your man Hoost or Leko, who both have to fight there best to qualified them self to 2nd round. So nothing personal against Hoost, but I think that the time is ready for a new champion!

P.S. Let me know if you get the Fukuoka on videotape, please!!!!!!!!!!!