The Search For New Zealand's Heavyweight King Of The Ring

16 May 2011

The Search For New Zealand's Heavyweight King Of The Ring

For years 6 time World Champion Jason Suttie was the undisputed king of heavyweight kickboxing in New Zealand. Forced to retire a year ago due to a serious neck injury, he has more recently focused on training the next generation of fighters at his Elite Thai Kickboxing (ETK) gym. Although there are a number of great heavyweights actively competing in NZ, no one has stepped up and assumed the level of dominance that Suttie once had over the weight class. With no clear successor emerging to take his place it begs the question - ‘who reigns when the King is gone?’ It’s something that has intrigued Jason as much as anyone - so much so that he has decided find the answer himself by staging the King of the Ring event.

28th May will see 8 of New Zealand’s top heavyweights face off in an explosive tournament that will crown the new heavyweight King of the Ring. With an exciting mix of established fighters and rising stars of the future in the electric atmosphere of a K-1 style 8 man tournament, it promises to be one of the highlights of the fight sport year. The tournament format requires the winner to defeat 3 opponents in a single night and provides the ultimate test of both skill and endurance.

The line up is lead by former Olympic boxer (Athens 2004) and International K-1 Star, Doug Viney (28F 19W 9L). Doug’s boxing and K-1 career has seen him fight top class opponents all over the world. He has fought at a number of K-1 events and in 2007 he won the K-1 Las Vegas Tournament against a stacked line-up. He is a powerful fighter with an aggressive style and can knock out opponents with either hand or kicks. His skill and experience make him an odds on favourite to take the crown.

One of Jason Suttie’s protégés are also in the line up. Antz ‘Notorious’ Nansen is an emerging star who has been active in both kickboxing and MMA. He has had several high profile MMA fights in Japan against fancied opponents (including a KO win against Olympic Judo silver medalist, Hiroshi Izumi). Nansen is certainly one to watch for.

Nato Laauli from the Alpha Thai Boxing stable in Wellington is an explosive fighter with a crowd pleasing style. Always prepared to mix it up with opponents, he has a good chin and knockout power that will make him one to watch in the tournament.

In addition to the 8 man elimination tournament the event will also see local crowd favourite Roger ‘Wild’ Earp defend his WKBF World Super lightweight title against the highly rated Australian fighter Joe Concha over 5 action packed rounds. Another super fight guaranteed to have the crowd on the edge of their seats, top New Zealand MMA fighter Rod McSwain competing for a Muay Thai title against the 'Gladiator' James Gordon.

ENDS

© Scoop Media