Interview Ewerton Teixeira

Ewerton Teixeira has become a Japan's new leading fighter by beating MUSASHI. This Kyokushin World Champion will be facing Errol Zimmerman at "FieLDS K-1 WORLD GP 2008 FINAL". He pronounced to become a champion this year.

I was off my guard against MUSASHI.

-- You beat MUSASHI at WGP -FINAL 16-.

Teixeira : Yes, I think it was a great fight, but...

-- Did you reflect on the fight?

Teixeira : My arms were lower that they were supposed to be for the guards during the 3rd round. It is my next task need to be worked out.

-- It looked like your momentum fell in the middle of the fight.

Teixeira : It is true that I lost my stamina a little bit in the middle of the fight.

-- A quite stamina though you have, the fight made you tired?

Teixeira : I did not have any major damage nor any problem. As the fight goes, I realized that I was leading in the fight, and was too far ahead to enjoy the moment. Such carelessness could be one of the reasons why I ran out of my stamina.

-- Before fighting with MUSASHI, you promised winning by KO, but it turned out to be winning by decision. Do you think it was because of your carelessness?

Teixeira : I do not think so. Of course, KO is an ideal way of a victory for any fighter. However, I was confident that I could defeat MUSASHI even by decision. I believe winning by decision is by no means bad or wrong. I rather think that it explains my ability to predict or read how my match develops now.

I am in a similar situation with Errol Zimmerman.

-- You chose Errol Zimmerman at the drawing.

Teixeira : If I had chosen an empty spot, I could have faced with Peter Aerts or Badr Hari. They are very experienced fighters.

-- Did you want to avoid fighting against them?

Teixeira : I thought they would be too tough for me yet.

-- Then, what made you to choose Zimmerman?

Teixeira : He does not have much experience fighting on the K-1 ring. His circumstance is similar to mine.

-- You come to think that you have a solid chance of winning if your opponent has about same experience with yours?

Teixeira : Yes, I see a chance of winning Zimmerman. Please do not think I underestimate him. There is no doubt that he is a dangerous fighter, but by comparing to the others, I see higher chance of proceeding a next fight.

-- If you were in a situation to be able to choose anyone out of the seven fighters, whom you think you would have chosen.

Teixeira : I am ready to fight any time with any body. Yet, there was no special person I wanted to choose this time.

I believe in myself that I can be the champion

-- Now, all the match makings have been confirmed. Can you tell us again about your confidence to win the champion?

Teixeira : The only thing I should do is training hard to improve my ability to fight well with the other best 8 fighters.

-- You always keep your own pace.

Teixeira : Ha ha ha. But, I am confident of myself of being champion already at this point.

-- You are cocky, though very carefully. If you do not KO your opponent, it will be tough physically at the FINAL. Finishing decision like against MUSASI, you use too much stamina in tournament system.

Teixeira : Do not worry about that. I already experienced both one match and tournament in K-1.

-- Do you think you have no problem fighting in tournament system?

Teixeira : No, I have no problem about that. I won the JAPAN GP, I know how to prepare for the FINAL tournament.

-- Don't you think that there are big difference in the level between JAPAN GP and WORLD GP?

Teixeira : Sure, they must be different. Yet, fighters should believe in own victory and not lose self confidence any time.

-- Do you believe that you can open the road to victory if you challenge with enough confidence?

Teixeira : I do not want to lose to anybody. My training environment is great. I believe in my victory, and, I trust my self at the same time. I will do my best to be a champion at the FINAL by keeping my confidence.

 source: K-1 OFFICIAL WEBSITE