Trans Tasman Rivalry Starts in the Ring

Trans Tasman Rivalry Starts in the Ring

Israel Adesanya has vowed to leave this weekend’s Trans-Tasman King in the Ring as the greatest fighter in the toughest tournament in New Zealand sports..

Fresh off two back-to-back cruiserweight titles, Adesanya will make history when he fights in the heavyweight division for the first time, taking on Australasia’s best at 100kg.

“Three tournaments, two weight classes, one king,” he says.

Adesanya believes he is headed for the world stage. A win here would certainly help his case, and the event comes just four days before he defends his Super 8 boxing title.

But there are no easy fights in the King in the Ring, and a pool of experienced and violent competitors stand between the brash Nigerian and a third and final crown.

Trained under promoter Jason Suttie, Nato ‘Hard Knoxx’ Laauli has squared up with New Zealand kickboxing royalty Antz Nansen on more than one occasion, pushing ‘Notorious’ to the edge of his ability in several high stakes bouts. Experience against that calibre of opponent is invaluable and Lauuli will not be afraid to get in Adesanya’s face.

Then, from the Bulldog Gym in Manly, there’s Dan ‘The Pain’ Roberts. Six foot six and over 100kg, he’ll have several inches and at least ten kilograms on Adesanya. With an astounding 15 wins, with 14 knockouts and just one defeat, Roberts is an extremely dangerous opponent. He excels in the clinch, and with such a significant weight disadvantage, Adesanya could be in trouble should he get stuck against the ropes.

Jamie ‘The Kyokushin Kid’ Eades also returns to the King in the Ring. Eades has a bone to pick with Adesanya, suffering a first round knockout loss at the hands of the Stylebender in the final of Adesanya’s first King in the Ring victory. Eades had gone six hard rounds before stepping into the ring however, and a first round matchup at a different weight class could prove all the difference.

And that’s not to mention the likes of Joel ‘Buck’ Marsters, 26-3 with 25 knockouts, or Hamad Alloush, owner of a knockout victory over Tafa Misipati. Plus, making their debut in the King in the Ring are Wayne Hehea from Wild Stable’s and Australia’s Nase Foai.

On the undercard, heavy-handed crowd favorite Pati ‘The Arsenal’ Afoa takes on Richard Simpson, Michele ‘Pressure’ Preston squares up against Kristan Armstrong, ‘The Filipino Kid’ Joey Baylon returns and, in the co-main event, it’s Slava ‘Scarface’ Alexeichik versus Matt Savile.

Don’t miss the last King in the Ring for 2015. Get tickets now and secure your spot to see the Stylebender battle at heavyweight in a historical moment for New Zealand combat sports, plus a stacked undercard of international superfights.

ENDS

© Scoop Media