At SENSHI 29, Ernesto Hoost make clear some lesser-known moments from Ok-1’s historical past, together with the close to involvement of Mike Tyson within the promotion. The kickboxing legend Hoost recalled on Ok-1’s efforts to broaden within the early 2000s and noticed Tyson as a method to break into the US.
When Ernesto Hoost Practically Fought Mike Tyson
Ernesto Hoost, the best of all time in kickboxing and a multi-time Ok-1 World Grand Prix champion, spoke about his expertise in an unique interview with LowKick MMA’s Tim Wheaton.
Mike Tyson’s rumored involvement in Ok-1 was tied to efforts by Kazuyoshi Ishii, Ok-1’s founder, to spice up the promotion’s profile. Tyson attended a number of Ok-1 occasions and engaged in severe talks about becoming a member of the group. Hoost recalled, “I bear in mind Mike Tyson was at most of the Ok-1 fights… He was truly in talks with Ok-1.” Nevertheless, Tyson reportedly had points with Ok-1’s clinching guidelines and monetary phrases. “He didn’t just like the clinching guidelines and all the pieces. There was additionally the cash subject once more,” Hoost defined.
“There have been severe about becoming a member of Ok-1 in some unspecified time in the future. I believe it was as a result of there was good cash concerned. That they had talks with the Ok-1 boss, Mr. Ishii. So sure, there have been severe discussions… It was in regards to the worth, not in regards to the struggle itself. The talks have been severe, although. On the time, Ok-1 had sumo wrestlers, skilled boxers – all the pieces.
These talks occurred towards a background of controversy. Ishii was arrested in 2002 for tax evasion, with investigation revealing fabricated contracts, together with one with Tyson, meant to disguise monetary transactions. Tyson’s involvement with Ok-1 was largely promotional, highlighted by a well-known 2003 Las Vegas occasion the place Tyson challenged Bob Sapp to “Sign the contract, large boy.” The anticipated superfight by no means occurred due to visa issues and disagreements over guidelines.
Hoost added, “At one level, there was even speak about Mike Tyson coming. It was in regards to the worth, not in regards to the struggle itself. The talks have been severe, although.” He identified that whereas Ok-1 featured quite a lot of fighters, Dutch kickboxers like himself have been dominant. “America would have been a lot better off if they’d some American Ok-1 champions, after which Ok-1 might have actually exploded in America. Holland is a small marketplace for preventing enterprise. Now it’s slowly altering.”
The interview at SENSHI 29 supplied a glimpse into a possible pillar second in fight sports activities historical past. SENSHI is a kickboxing promotion that places on spectacular fights with fighters from all around the globe. It additionally hosts seminars with legends comparable to Hoost, Semmy Schilt, and several other others. The occasion may be watched dwell on their YouTube.
