Report from K-1 Amsterdam Press Conference
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Mr Tanikawa the CEO of FEG incorporated welcomed everyone from sponsors, fighters and the media to the press conference. He has the European Fighting Network owner Simon Rutz on his side. Tanikawa comments to the press that he is happy to be in the Netherlands which he says is the best fighting country in the world.
Tanikawa explains that the winner of the European GP will participate in the World GP finals on November 29th in South Korea. The CEO of FEG also issues an apologies for the controversy last year in the K-1 event here in Amsterdam. last year Bob Sapp did not fight in a scheduled fight against "Mr Perfect" Ernesto Hoost.
The promoter of the event Mr. Simon Rutz comments that he is very happy with tomorrows fight card, the announcer for the press conference is Mr Wustenberg. He is also a commentator for Dutch Eurosport and he cracks up the crowd with laughter when explaining that Rutz started as a referee and is now a world famous promoter, all the while he is still a ring announcer the same job he had when Simon Rutz was referee.
After this each fighter with their opponents are introduced and are posing for pictures for the press. Some of these are availabile in this article.
Fighter comments
Peter Aerts "The Dutch Lumberjack"
States that he is fighting a big and strong guy in Bob Sapp but this year he is prepared for fighting. Last year he was a last minute replacement to Sapp, and yesterday at a press meeting he explained he had been out partying the day before and was only scheduled to appear as a commentator for Dutch Television, before getting the call to fight Hoost.
Bob Sapp
Apologizes to the Dutch fans for last years events. He expects to be booed by the fans tomorrow. Then he turns into "The Beast" and states that he also expects Dutch fans to "boo hoo" i.e cry after he knocks their home fighter on his ass! That comment made Aerts laugh and people go ooooh! at the conference. This was great fun!
Ruslan Karaev
Sends his wishes to his russian fanclub some of them present at the conference. He says he is happy to be in Amsterdam and that he expects a good fight tomorrow against Manhoef.
Melvin Manhoef
Says he knows Karaev well and that he consider him a friend. He wants to perform well in front of his hometown fans.
Nicholas Vermont
About fighting Sawanyashiki said he is fighting a samurai warrior but that he is out to revenge his friend Lerome LeBanners loss to Sawanyashiki.

Mighy Mo
He is not worried about fighting bigger opponents as almost every fighter is bigger than him. He also "has a big punch for a big guy" he stated in regards to Semmy Shildt.
Semmy Shildt
Semmy Shildt said he looks forward to the fight tomorrow. He looks ready and is not interested in talking trash about his opponent.
Before the end of the conference Mr Rutz once again brought up the Sapp controversy from last year. Rutz has said before that Sapp is never fighting under his supervision again. However it turns up that K-1 have finale say.
Rutz wanted Sapp to explain his actions and said he is tired of being blamed for what happened. Sapp makes a comment about being "lost in translation" last year and once again apologizes to the fans. He also thanks Ernesto Hoost who is in attendence. Sapp then states that if Hoost comes out of retirement he is ready to fight him, after he has knocked out Peter Aerts he claims!
This forces Hoost to take the stage and comment that he will come out of retirement to beat him if Sapp delivers on his promise. Peter Aerts says that it will not be necessary as he is confident he will beat Sapp tomorrow.
This ends the conference, maybe we will see Hoost against Sapp in Amsterdam in the future!
Pictures







nice to see most of the fighters holding the
T-shirt of FansOfK-1
Great pre article Henrik. Looking forward to the
fight report!
Hahaha, that picture when Bob Sapp is doing
the"Beast" with the FansOfK1 T-shirt is just
hilarious. What an entertainer, lol =)
I cant belivee that i had missed this article!?!?!
Great, no fantastic work there Henrik! Great to see
all of those fighters with the fansofk1 T-shirt, a
bit sad the the quallity wasent better but still,
great pictures, and like Kim said the one with Sapp
is hillarious!thank you Henrik!
We probably should do something with all those
pictures.
Author
Henrik Rautila
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