| The two massive super heavyweights fighting in the main event of the nationally and internationally televised world championship Kickboxing Empire card scheduled for Saturday, July 30, in the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, sat down for interviews recently, and their personalities could not be in more stark contrast.
Alain “The Panther” Ngalani of Hong Kong and Dzevad “BH Machine” Poturak of Sarajevo, Bosnia, are a study in opposites.
Ngalani is the heavily muscled extrovert known as one of the fastest heavyweights on the planet. Poturak lets his fists do most of the talking. He is a relentless pressure fighter with extremely heavy hands.
A former high-profile bodyguard known for his famously brutal training routines, Ngalani is a flashy showman with a signature move called the “Panther High Kick.” A determined stalker in the ring, Poturak has made a career of being tougher than his opponents.
Poturak has shown exemplary sportsmanship to his opponents before and after every fight. Ngalani’s fightwith Ramazan Ramazanov became a YouTube hit when so many illegal blows were landed between the fighters it triggered a wild, in-ring brawl between the two fighters’ camps.
But one element of commonality they share is that they are two of the world’s best kickboxers and they will meet for the International Kickboxing Association super heavyweight championship, headlining an event that features the finest collection of international kickboxers to compete in Las Vegas in four years-a card that includes five current and former world champions.
Alain “The Panther” Ngalani
You are proficient in a number of fighting disciplines. Which is your favorite and why?
That’s a tough one, as i really enjoy practicing them all–from judo to karate, boxing to kickboxing–each discipline has made what I am today: a complete fighter.
Are we going to see your patented move “The Panther High Kick” on July 30?
Definitely, I can’t wait to display that signature high kick on July 30. I’m even faster and more powerful now, as I’ve put on a few more kilograms of lean muscle this time around. I’m walking around at a solid 242 pounds. One might think that much weight would slow me down… think again!
What do you know about your opponent?
I’ve seen my opponent fight and I respect him because I know what it takes to be a professional fighter. He is a worthy opponent and I like that. There’s nothing better to give a man a run for his money and a good show. He is a strong fighter, but I’m stronger.
You’re known for your brutal training regimen. Tell me how you prepared for this fight.
Good diet and training are the ultimate key. I’ve been doing brutal circuit training, pads and bag-interval work and sparring all day long. How can one beat that?
How do you stay such a hard worker even into your 30s? What motivates you?
I’m a fitness freak. I think if we eat, sleep and fart every day, we should train every day as well. It becomes like a therapy. Age becomes just a number. It is how you feel that matters and right now I feel better than when I was in my twenties. Go figure.
You’re 36 now. Happy Birthday. When your fighting days are over what will you do? Bodyguarding again? Coaching? Movies?
I didn’t wait to retire from fighting. I’m already a coach/manager/director. I’m a business man investing in the fitness area and the property market.
Dzevad “BH Machine” Poturak
How would you describe Ngalani as a fighter?
He is strong fighter with good skills. Huge muscles.
How do you picture the fight against him unfolding?
It is going to be a very good fight with a lot punches.
How do you feel heading into this fight?
I am very happy to fight in Las Vegas and I am ready.
You’ve had a fantastic career already. How long do you plan to keep fighting?
I think five more years. I’ve had a lot of fights with good names, like Daniel Ghita, Aleksey Ignashov, Melvin Manhoef, Chalid Arab, Alistair Overeem and others.
How did training go? Do you foresee any problems with stamina?
I am in a good shape.
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Other international fighters scheduled for battle include Denis Goncheronok of Minsk, Belarus; Sergio Cario of Amsterdam, Netherlands; Edwin “El Tigre” Aguilar of Tijuana, Mexico; Pavel Turuk of Minsk, Belarus; and Tim Thomas of Birmingham, England.
Las Vegans on the card include Chidi “Chidi Bang Bang” Njokuani and Shawn Yarborough.
The card starts at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) July 30 with doors to The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino opening at 6:30.
Tickets-priced at $25, $35, $50, $75, $100 and $125-are available at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino box office daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and through Ticketmaster, either by calling 702-474-4000 or 800-745-3000 or going on line at ticketmaster.com
For more information, visit www.Kickboxingempire.com. |
