SEOUL, October 26, 2007 -- The Main Event in this weekend's HERO's Korea 2007 has captured the attention of fightsport fans in Korea and Japan. Sports media in both countries have undertaken exhaustive analysis of the matchup, even as larger-than-life images of fighters Dennis Kang and Yoshihiro Akiyama assault Seoul motorists from countless billboards erected over the city's expressways.
Akiyama, the 2006 Hero's Light Middleweight Champion, is returning to action after serving a suspension for over-oiling his body at the Hero's Dynamite event last New Year's Eve. The slippery 32 year-old Japanese judoka faces a formidable opponent in Kang, 30, an accomplished Canadian mixed martial arts fighter making his HERO'S debut. The bout will be contested with an 85kg/187lbs weight contract.
Denis Kang and Yoshihiro Akiyama
Akiyama and Kang appeared in a press conference today at the Millennium Hilton Hotel to share their thoughts with the media in advance of this Sunday's showdown.
"Akiyama is the Hero's champ from last year, he is definitely worthy," said a relaxed Kang. "But I'm very well prepared for my first time in HERO's, so you will not be disappointed. I know we will put on a great performance, I am expecting a lot from this match!"
Said Akiyama: "This is My first fight in a long time in Korea, I have had some difficulties recently, but now I want to show a great fight. Of course any match is unpredictable but I have high hopes!"
The Hero's Korea 2007 is a staggeringly ambitious production -- featuring no less than 24 fighters in 12 bouts contested under Hero's mixed martial arts rules.
Another eagerly anticipated matchup will pit Korean judo and mixed martial arts fighter Dong Sik Yoon against Fabio Silva of Brazil. There was a bit of drama when these two appeared center stage for photographs, Yoon adapting the usual stoic fighting pose while an in-your-face Silva brandished fists and stared menacingly at his opponent.
Dong Sik Yoon and Fabio Silva
Yoon refused to be intimidated, and got a bit of a laugh when he said, "Sunday I will show a good fight. I don't fight with my eyes, maybe he prefers to fight that way? I prefer to fight in the ring!" Silva replied directly to his opponent: "I know what a real fight is, I will show you what a great fight is, and you will lose!"
Veteran Seidokaikan fighter Taiei Kin of Japan will step in against Croatian mixed martial arts specialist Zelg "Benkei" Galesic.
Taiei Kin and Zelg Galesic
Galesic: "I've wanted to fight here in Korea for ages, ever since I was young and studied tae kwon do. I'm very happy to be here and will give it my all to beat my tough opponent." Kin: "This is also my first fight in Korea, I expect Galesic will give a great effort and I hope to show an exciting fight as well."
Local favorite Min Soo Kim of Korea will step in against Japanese fighter Minowaman.
Minowaman and Min-Soo Kim
Kim: "Happy to be here again, and I will win." Minowaman: "It's great to be part of this HERO'S explosion in popularity, I will fight hard for my fans!"
Nearly half of the fighters on the card are Korean, or of Korean extraction, and one of them should have the crowd in his corner Sunday is celebrated ssirium wrestler Tae Hyun Lee, who will take on Yoshihisa Yamamoto of Japan.
Tae-Hyun Lee and Yoshihisa Yamamoto
Lee: "It's been awhile since I've fought, Yamamoto is very good and it's an honor to fight him. I will show my very best." Yamamoto: "The top fighters are here, I know Lee is great at Korean sumo, and I look forward to meeting him and putting on a great fight!"
Dae Won Kim of Korea will go up against Brazilian Marcelo Garcia.
Dae-Won Kim and Marcelo Garcia
Garcia: "I will show my jiu-jitsu, it is great to be here in Korea and I hope I can leave with great memories!" Kim: "Marcelo is a great fighter and I will do my very best."
A 90kg/198lbs matchup will see Carlos Newton of Canada mix it up with Shungo Oyama of Japan.
Carlos Newton and Shungo Oyama
Oyama: "Newton is a fantastic fighter and it is an honor to meet him, I will not let you down." Newton: "I want to thank Oyama for accepting the fight, I will show my abilities and you will not be disappointed."
Min Suk Heo of Korea will meet Japanese fighter Katsuyori Shibata.
Min-Suk Heo and Katsuyori Shibata
Shibata: "I will fight with all my spirit!" Heo: "This is a major event, I'm very excited and I want the trophy!"
There will be couple of pocket-sized fighters competing with a 73kg/161lbs weight contract -- A-Sol Kwon of Korea and Daisuke Nakamura of Japan.
A-Sol Kwon and Daisuke Nakamura
Nakamura: "It's an honor to be here, I want to be a role model for young fighters." Kwan: "It's my first time here, I will smack Nakamura in the face!"
Bernard Ackah and Poai Suganuma
The evening's first bout features Bernard Ackah of Côte d'Ivoire and Poai Suganuma of the respected BJ Penn team in the United States; while in undercard action it will be Magomed Sultanakhmadov of Russia vs Eun Soo Lee of Korea and Masanori Tokoka of Japan taking on compatriot Ryo.
All Fighters
The HERO'S Korea 2007 kicks off at 17h00 on Sunday Oct 28 at the Jangchung Gymnasium. The event will be broadcast live across Korea by CJ Media, and in Japan on the TBS Network. For scheduling information in other regions contact local broadcasters. For complete coverage of this and all HERO'S and K-1 events visit the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp).
