K-1 Grand Prix Quarter Finals Zagreb, Croatia
On Friday, March 15, the grounds of Zagreb will shake as the best heavyweight kickboxers in the world battle it out in the K-1 World Grand Prix quarter finals.
Catalin Morosanu
Romanian Kickboxer Cătălin Moroşanu (34-5) , is not only a successful kickboxer, but a politician, former professional rugby player and season 9 Dancing with the Stars Romania champion. Morosanu has defeated Paul Slowinski, Anderson “Braddock” Silva, Mighty Mo and other notable fighters. He is also the 2012 Superkombat World Grand Prix Champion.
Pavel Zhuravlev
Pavel Zhuravlev (42-7-1) is a Romanian boxer (11-2) and kickboxer. He is the 2012 SuperKombat World Grand Prix Final tournament winner and is ranked #9 heavyweight in the world by liverkick.com. In 2009 Zhuravlev made his K1 debut in Seoul at the K-1 World Grand Prix against the tough Gokhan Saki winning the bout by decision. Zhuravlev’s last fight was against Surinamese-Dutch kickboxer Isamael Londt (32-4-1) in which he won the fight by an extended round decision.
Mirko Filipovic
The well -known Mirko Filipovic also known around the world as “Cro Cop” is a successful kickboxer and MMA fighter. The Croatian fighter had a successful run in MMA (28-10-2) competing in the UFC, Dream, and Pride. After his loss to Roy Nelson “Cro Cop” decided to make a return to K-1. “Cro Cop’s” return fight was against Ray Sefo who he defeated by unanimous decision at the Zagreb Arena in Croatia on March 10th 2012. “Cro Cop” then defeated Loren Javier Jorge and Randy Blake and now faces Jarrell Miller one year later after his first fight at the Zagreb Arena.
Jarrell Miller
Brooklyn Native Jarrell Miller is an American Kick Boxer (21-0) and boxer
(4-1 draw). He is also 2007 Golden Gloves heavyweight runner up. Miller’s last fight was against Arnold Oborotov (25-5-1). He defeated Oborotov by unanimous decision at K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 final 16. Miller made his K-1 Promotional debut on September 8 2012 against Jack May, knocking May out with a well placed uppercut in the first round.
Badr Hari
This Man needs no introduction. The Moroccan-Dutch kickboxer makes his come- back on Friday against Zabit Samedov after being away for 10 months and going through some hard times lately spending sometime in prison. Hari stepped in to take Ben Edward’s place after Edwards withdrew due to him having a fight with Paul Slowinski one week later. Hari has beaten Zabit Samedov before but it will be interesting to see if he can repeat that after all that has happened this year. Hari is a legend in K-1 and always comes to fight with a record of 111 kick boxing fights and tons of experience.
Zabit Samedov
Zabit Samedov comes into this fight to redeem himself after losing to Badr Hari at the K-1 Kickboxing World Grand Prix 2009 final by KO. Samedov also comes into the fight with experience and after having fought high-level kickboxers like Ray Sefo and Tyrone Spong. It will be interesting to see how he does in this fight against Hari. Samedov is K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 and Lods champion.
Ismael Londt
Surinamese-Dutch Kickboxer Ismael Londt (32-4-1) also current SuperKombat Super Heavyweight Champion faces Hesdy Gerges on Friday. The 27 year old fighter has fought Jaideep Singh, Daniel Sam, Sebastian Ciobanu and recently lost to Pavel Zhuravlev at SuperKombar Grand Prix 2012 final.
Hesdy Gerges
Egyptian-Dutch kickboxer Hesdy Gerges previously held the Its Showtime” World Heavweight title” until January 2012. He is currently ranked #7 heavyweight according to liverKick.com. The 2 meter tall heavyweight, recently fought Carter Williams defeating the American by KO in round three in December 2012 in Romania.
