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Interview with Fadi Merza and Joakim Karlsson about their upcoming fight at the Battle Of Sweden event.
A technical war will take place at the Battle of Sweden event 28th of March in Solnahallen Stockholm, Sweden. The powerful and well rounded Joakim "Yukay" Karlsson, will take on the very experienced and technical Fadi Merza in an Muay Thai superfight.
Joakim is well know for his powerful hands and fine technique. In his last fight he downed the Danish Muay Thai prospect Kristian Klingenberg twice and secured an comfortable decision win. Now he will face his greatest challenge so far in the experienced and technically complete Fadi Merza. Merza who is both an European and World champion has stood toe to toe versus fighters like John Wayne Parr, Ole Laursen and Aalviar Lima. In his last fight Merza won by KO due to a jumping knee in the fourth round. Its safe to say that the fight between these two warriors is something that you don't want to miss. I had the pleasure of talking to both fighters about their thoughts about this fight.
Interview with Fadi Merza.
For many in the Swedish crowed your are an new face, could you tell us a little about yourself and what kind of fighter you are.
First off all I want to thank the Promotor of Battle of Sweden, who has given me the chance to fight here in Sweden! thank you! About me, I'm just a normal fighter, who lives for and loves the sport.
On 28th of March you will face a hard hitting and technically skilled Joakim Karlsson, what do you know about Joakim and what are you thoughts about this fight?
Joakim is a hard and tuff fighter, but that is nothing new for me, I have fought a lot of hard fights. I have seen some of his fights, and I can just say that I am very happy to fight him, I can not wait to fight him.
Do you have a special gameplan prepared or will you take the fight as it comes?
I Train Hard like always, and go 100 % into the fight
The event is less then three weeks away now, how are your preparations going?
I started to prepare myself for the fight 10 days ago, condition, condition and again condition
You have an impressive record with 57 fights, 45 wins and 27 of them by KO, what do you see as the key to your success?
I am a fighter who can take a lot but also gives a lot, and this is important for a fighter.
Do you always aim to win your fights by KO or is a win still a win to you no matter how you reach it?
Like I just said, I go into every fight 100 %, I give my best. For me it's Important to do a good fight, and if I win by knockout it's great , but if I win a good fight by points am just as pleased.
Lets look beyond this fight, what are your future plans, and what kind of fights do you seek?
I will fight in my home town Vienna on the 30th of May for a World title So this is my next dream.
Do you wish to say something to your fans and to the people who are going to attend the event?
I would like to thank all Martialarts fans in Sweden, and I can promise you that this fight will be a war, win or loose I am giving it my all! And once again thanks to the Promotor of Battle of Sweden for giving me the chance to fight at this event, and thank you Daniel and fansofk1 for your Interest.
Interview with Joakim Karlsson.
You have two straight wins and seem to just get better and better after each fight, your confidence must be great right now?
I cant complain, am where I want to be and after back to back wins I feel that am going in the right direction and my confidence is good. My last win versus Klingenberg felt great and it was an important win for me.
This fight at the Battle of Sweden event will be your second fight in just one month, is that a problem for you?
No problem. Luckily I have no injuries from the previous fight and I feel that am in good shape. I have been taking it a bit easier in training the last week but from next week am doing my usual fight preparations, with speed, and technique training.
In your recent fights you been fighting three rounds with K-1 rules, now its back to Muay Thai rules and five rounds, how does that affect you?
It doesn't really matter to me if its three or five rounds, its still a fight. I might be a little more wise with my energy and save some for the last rounds but its no big difference to me. I will fight my fight, just like I always do.
What do you know about your opponent Fadi Merza?
He is an extremely experienced fighter, very technical and hard to beat. I know that he likes to move forward and put his opponent under pressure. I have seen some of his fights and what I have seen is that he uses a lot of hooks followed by low kicks, and he has good knees.
What does this fight mean to you?
A fight is a fight no matter who you fight, but for me this is probably my biggest challenge so far. Its an important fight, he is a big name in the sport and a win over him would mean a lot to me.
What does the future hold for you?
I am currently considering two different fight options, there is an upcoming event in Kristianstad where I could fight in the main event and then there is also the next Rumble of the Kings event in Malmö in May. Both events looks great so its a hard choice. But right now all focus is on the Merza fight, like I said its an important fight for me and I will be well prepared for it.
Besides this great fight between Joakim and Fadi the event also holds two more superfights consisting of Warren Stevelmans vs Orono Wor Petchpun and Kongpipop Petchyindee vs Otmar Diagne. To this great line-up you can also add eight finals in the Swedish Muay Thai championships. For more information log on to www.battleofsweden.com
Written 2009-03-05 by Daniel for www.fansofk1.com and for www.battleofsweden.com
It will be exciting to see who wins this fight. But
I think Joakim will be strongly resisted now.. Good
luck to both of them
Congratz Daniel, you're getting to know more
and more good fighters like this. Good interviews!
Fadi Merza,that`s a tough one! I give my hopes to
Yukay but I think Merza takes this one
unfortunately.
Wow! Thanks Daniel, didn´t know you made this
interview as well, topp stuff! Nice to see Yukay
fighting another top fighter in his hometown. See
you there soon!
It was a real plesure to make these interviews,
they are both humble and easy going so it made my
work easy. Looking forward to this fight alot!
Brännström (3 posts)
http://www.uffebrannstrom.fotosid
an.se/viewpf.htm?pfID=238024
The rules of the fight has been changes in to 3
rounds * 3 min.
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