Another freak show for Bob Sapp

[fugetsu]

The Japanese media just announced that Bob Sapp will be fighting Akebono (Hawaiian born) former Yokotzuna (Sumo champion). Akebono, in his first K-1 fight will be matched against Sapp on 12/31. While Bob is a big boy, Akebono is even bigger--203 cm and 210 kilos. All sumo wrestlers can do the splits, but I don't think we should be expecting any high kicks from him. I am inclinded to put my money on Akebono. At any rate, this should be a good one, if only for the freakish spectacle nature of it.

[chris davis 200]

Sumo tori are Fackin Tough dudes!

Really really strong coupled with amazing balance, good striking abilities and a mean ass headbutt!

Will be fun ta watch!!!!!

cheers
chris

[jubaji]

Is this true?

Why would Akebono make such a spectacle of himself?

[fugetsu]

it is true, yes

Yep, see

http://www.boutreview.com/data/news/031231dynamite.html

if your computer can't read Japanese, I think you'll at least be able to see the pics.

[jubaji]

oh, man.

[hoplite]

Viewing Tip

If you can’t read Japanese, and you’d like to do more that just look at the pictures, view the site fugetsu posted through Babel Fish.

[jubaji]

My "oh, man" was of disappointment in Akebono

[darrianation]

Akebono must need to get his hands on some cash or somthing to pay for all those houses and women !

I dunno about this one but I'll tune to see it.

[sslinky]

Is that the geezer that fought in the ufc? I remember there being some big fella who studied "the hawaiian art of bone breaking"! -or something. He got beat if I remember rightly.

[sslinky]

No, sorry that was Matua - I don't know what I'm talking about!

[kengar]

The 'Bone Breaker' got put in a coma by Tank. There was a sumo guy that was beat by Keith Hackney, but different man. Is this guy ready to take full force blows to the head? I know sumo can be rough, but I am not aware of any training or fighting they do that will prpare him to take punches from Sapp.

[jubaji]

Originally posted by kengar
The 'Bone Breaker' got put in a coma by Tank. There was a sumo guy that was beat by Keith Hackney, but different man. Is this guy ready to take full force blows to the head? I know sumo can be rough, but I am not aware of any training or fighting they do that will prpare him to take punches from Sapp.

hahahahaa!
Don't know what shape he's in now, but he's faced at least as much as Mr. Sapp has to offer.

But you never know 'till you see....

[fugetsu]

glass jaw vs. head of stone

In Sumo, full force head butts, and palm strikes to the face are common, so
I think Akebono is used to "face contact" as it were. Also, the article said that he is training with Francisco Filiho and Ray Sefo (his buddies) so I'm sure he will be schooled in some basic boxing skills. Also, doing Sumo, he should be able to pick up the clinch fairly quickly, and if he could learn to fire skip knees, it would be very effective--that's a big if though. Also, if you look at the picture of them standing together, Akebono towers over Bob. If size doe matter, then Akebono has a bit of an advantage. Lastly, Akebono has a sense of "martial training" (keiko) and says he needs to do a lot of this before the match, suggesting that he will put a lot of hours in the gym, with trainers, before the match. While Sapp does have power, he has a glass jaw, and no form. Anyway, these random thoughts are why I am putting my money on Akebono.

[jubaji]

However, Akebono has bad knees...

That could be a problem

[fugetsu]

knees

Akebono said his Sumo era injuries have healed, so maybe his knees have gotten better. We'll have to wait until we can see some training footage, or the 12/31 fight to really see how knocky his knees are.