Boxing Result / News

Heavyweight contender  Wladimir Klitschko (41-2, 38 KO's), the younger brother of  Vitali Klitschko

(32-2, 31 KO's), beat Fabio Eduardo Moli (29-3, 17 KO's) by first round knock out earlier today in

Munchen, Germany for the vacant WBA International heavyweight title. 

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The AP is reporting today that the Mike Tyson vs. Bob Sapp bout will not take place since it wasn't part of

the contract that Tyson signed with K-1. No other information was provided.

From all the we've heard and investigated, we tend to believe that the bout will take place. As we've stated

in the past, we lean towards Tyson's first appearance in K-1 being at the end of the year event - Antonio

Inoki's Bom-Ba-Ye (Although, there are rumors that Tyson will appear at the K-1 Japan event in September

but it is unclear whether it will be a promotional appearance or whether he will actually fight).  

Tyson's first opponent is still unknown. There have been rumors that Ernesto Hoost or Jerome LeBanner

would be first in line but with Inoki involved, we still think it will be Bob Sapp at the December 31st event.

It's incredible how the American media and the Japanese media differ so much in the coverage of this story.

For example, the amounts of money being disclosed by the two outlets that Tyson was paid vastly

differ ($4 million being reported in the U.S. as opposed to $25 million being reported in Japan) as well

as the details of  Tyson's  debut.

Who to believe?

The one thing that is for certain is that Tyson signed with K-1 and that he will fight in an event. And let's not

forget that Tyson vs. Sapp is the money match for K-1.

Inoki has the money to pay K-1 for the bout and as K-1 has stated in the past, the end of the year events

bring in the most money.

All the needs to be ironed out is the time, place and rules. And we think the rules will be the biggest

obstacle. We still lean towards K-1 rules for Tyson/Sapp since neither one of them wanted to fight under

these rules - Sapp wants MMA rules and Tyson wants boxing rules - at least that's what they've said in the

past.

Bottom line - your guess is as good as ours.

The saga continues...

(8/30/03)