Nov 19th Australia
K-1 OCEANIA STAR WARS

A short report on the recent K1 event in Australia. Described by many as one of the best tournaments of the year.

November 19th was the date and Melbourne’s Festival Hall the place for the biggest and best show seen in years in Australia. One of four men would qualify for the 2001 K-1 Oceania tournament to be held in Melbourne. A world super welterweight title was on the line between an accomplished Australian champ and an unknown surprise package from Greece. Boxer turned kickboxer Lester Ellis would resume his quest to win a world title in his new profession. And the long awaited return to Australia of the legendary Stan "The Man" Longinidis would take place as he squared off against an undefeated hotshot looking to become the next big thing. The opening preliminary bout saw two prospects, Nidal Taleb and Ashley White fight to a draw over 4 rounds.

The first of two semi final heavyweight contests saw "The Dark Destroyer" Phil Fagan take a 3 round unanimous decision over Paul Robinson. To my eyes it appeared Fagan, who has been criticised for lacking power and being a bit too hesitant, was hitting with a little more authority.

Baris Nezif vs Michael Zambidis, for the Olympic Kickboxing Association World Super welterweight title, was the fight of the night. Zambidis, a complete unknown outside of his homeland of Greece, was the personal protege of Stan Longinidis, and a man many within the Longinidis camp were touting as the "young Stan The Man". Indeed, Longinidis had promised those within the industry that they were in for a surprise, despite the fact that Baris Nezif was widely considered one of the best pound for pound fighters on the local scene. To the amazement of a stunned audience and a shell shocked Nezif, Zambidis decked Nezif in the second with a leaping left hook, knocked him down two rounds later with a body assault and then traded bombs, usually winning the exchanges, until the 12th round when the referee was forced to halt the contest with Zambidis punishing Baris with lefts and rights. Zambidis is one to watch carefully.

The Heavyweight final between Fagan and Chrisopoulides saw Fagan nailing Chris with clean lefts for the 3 round distance to take a clear cut win. Chrispoulides, though bloodied and beaten, never stopped trying. Fagan moves on to the February K-1 Oceania Eliminator.

Lester Ellis made short work of an overmatched Richard Walsh, knocking him out in the first round with a hard left rip to the body followed by a hook to the jaw.

The night main event saw Stan "The Man" Longinidis, former WKA, ISKA and WMTC World Champ, return to Melbourne after residing in Athens, Greece for the past 9 months. His highly anticipated return to Australia saw him matched up with undefeated Peter "The Chief" Graham. Graham, who had a 17-0 record, was touted by some as being one of the next big thing’s to come up in Australia. Further interest was raised with members of the Graham camp declaring over Internet message boards that Stan would be knocked out by Graham.

After an even opening 2 rounds, what eventuated was a clinic as Longinidis hacked away at Grahams lead leg and masterfully defended any offence from Graham, while also attacking with quick flurries that had the Chief covering up. A hard low kick in the middle rounds almost had Graham hit the deck, and a spinning back fist surprised Graham. Longinidis won a unanimous decision after 10 rounds.