They were second tier then and still second tier now, in regards to Kickboxing.Funny how people used to discredit that K1 WGP Cro Cop won, and you see today how well his opponents are doing (Miller, Zhuravlev, Londt)
They are all top 5 now, so they re first tier. Zhuravlev won Glory interim LHW belt, Londt won Glory contender tournament and Miller is champion of North America in WBA and WBO and currently ranked no. 5 HW boxer in WBO & IBF.They were second tier then and still second tier now, in regards to Kickboxing.
That K-1 tournament didn't represent the best heavyweights at the time, that's why it isn't looked at as on the same level of other WGP's.
I'm certainly not saying it wasn't a great accomplishment but the field wasn't as good as what Glory had at the time. There wasn't even a debate here, that's factual. In hindsight the opinion is still the same.They are all top 5 now, so they re first tier. Zhuravlev won Glory interim LHW belt, Londt won Glory contender tournament and Miller is champion of North America in WBA and WBO and currently ranked no. 5 HW boxer in WBO & IBF.
And they were in prime then and more dangerous than some names who were on retirement, and they are in prime now.
In terms of skill, Londt, Zhuravlev, Badr Hari, Gerges, Samedov were equally good then as Saki, Ghita, Spong, Zimmerman. Hardly any difference, they were at least equally dangerous. Schilt had allready retired, and Verhoeven proved his qualty, but he lost to Laschenko not long before.
It was simply a new reality and different situation on the scene, but like Arlovski, Mir, Sylvia, Riodriguez are UFC champions, then Cro Cop can also be fully proud of his K-1 Grand Prix because it was very quality tournament and huge achievement.
It certanly wasn`t less difficult for Cro Cop to win Grand Prix vs Miller, Zhuravlev and Lond, then for Bonjasky to win it vs Grahm, Abidi and Musashi in 2003, or against old, washed out and not hungry Hoost, Botha and Musashi in 2004, or for Hoost to win it with 2 losses in 2002.
Saki,Spong and Schilt werent in thereVerhoeven lost to Laschenko and thus wasn't qualified for the K1 GP.
This says a lot about the legitimacy of the event.
Only guy missing was Ghita.
Which Verhoeven lost to Lascenko? He also lost to Errol by KO and then destroyed him too!Verhoeven lost to Laschenko and thus wasn't qualified for the K1 GP.
This says a lot about the legitimacy of the event.
Only guy missing was Ghita.
Here, Verhoeven lost a superfight to Lascenko at the K1 event. Lascenko qualified then for the WGP, Verhoeven would have participed if he won I guess.Which Verhoeven lost to Lascenko? He also lost to Errol by KO and then destroyed him too!