"It's been difficult and uncertain how kickboxing will develop in the near future, as well as in a long run. Besides, I feel there isn't a lot of competition for me anymore. I want to develop my skills and possibilities into new heights...Heavyweight boxing nowadays is very pitiful. The Klitschko brothers are very smart guys and very professional athletes. Nevertheless, both of them I will fight and they won't make the 12th round. For me, it is unbelievable how both David Haye and Tomasz Adamek fought their fights. If one of these brothers would dare to fight me, I'll get in the ring in no time. Boxing is really sad nowadays. One of the Klitschko brothers has fought in kickboxing. Watch him on YouTube. You will laugh your butt of. And think how long they would last against me? And in the boxing game, it will be the same thing...boxing requires adjustments in style, intensity, and the way you move. Adapting to this won't be a problem, but needs time and with help from the best in the boxing industry, I'll be able to accomplish this...I will destroy everybody. From a boxing perspective, I reflect on the Mike Tyson fights and how to make it a war with the tall guys. No kicks, no knees, no problem; who dares to fight me," stated K-1 stand-out Gokhan Saki, who made it clear that he too is eager to make the transition from kickboxing to boxing after his rematch with Badr Hari in January. You don't want to miss what else he had to say. Check it out!
PC: How have you been doing, Gokhan?
GS: I am doing very well. After my fight against Brice Guidon, earlier this year, where I won the finals of the Ultimate Glory Tournament, I've taken some time to rest. As you all know, I've recently married my beautiful wife, Aylin, so we're spending some time together. Also, we have opened a beauty salon, which is run by my Aylin. So a lot of things have been going on and life is good.
PC: Sounds like you have been very busy outside of the ring, and you had a busy 2010 my man, fighting 8 times. You've only fought twice in 2011. Why haven't we seen more of Gokhan Saki?
GS: As you all know, K-1 hasn't been in business this year, so I've fought a number of fights for the Ultimate Glory Tournament. Also, my fight against Lachenko was cancelled due to the decision of the mayor from Rotterdam not to allow this event. It's been difficult and uncertain how kickboxing will develop in the near future, as well as in a long run. Besides, I feel there isn't a lot of competition for me anymore. I want to develop my skills and possibilities into new heights.
PC: It started as a rumor, but seems to be official now. You will be fighting Badr Hari in January for "It's Showtime". That's a rematch from a 2004 loss for you. Is it official yet and is this a rematch you have been wanting?
GS: At the present time, it has been made public that indeed I will fight Badr Hari in January. The fight is official, And as I mentioned earlier, this is the one fight where I feel there is something to prove. Badr is a big name in the industry and I want to show the world my qualities as a fighter. Besides that, it will be the last kickboxing fight of Badr before he moves towards boxing, so I feel the whole world wants to see this fight.
PC: You are 9-1 in your last 10 fights. Your only loss was due to an injury against Alistair Overeem. Where do you rank yourself right know as a kickboxer?
GS: As a kickboxer, considering my qualities, kicking, hand speed, movement and power, I feel I am the best in the world at this moment. Everybody has seen my qualities in the fights against Ghita. I consider Ghita one of the present top dogs in the industry. My fights against Overeem, everybody could see I was fighting the guy with one hand. I had broken my hand in the fights earlier that night. Had I not been injured, I would have destroyed Overeem, and we all know how successful he is in K-1 and MMA. He is probably the most successful fighter at this moment.
PC: Do you think we will ever get kickboxing here in the States? It's been rumored for a long time, but never really came to fruition. Do you see it happening?
GS: I truly don't know. I think the UFC should pick this up. They have the platform. I am 100% sure USA people would love to see some real fights in between the MMA fights, and I would love to fight for the UFC. This could be a good opportunity to grow their business further. I'd love to fight a big name from the UFC in a stand-up fight. Bring the big guys and I'll destroy them. Brock Lesnar, Anderson Silva, all those guys, bring 'em on.
PC: Ironically, both you and Hari are talking about coming to boxing. When you look at the heavyweight landscape in boxing, what do you think of it?
GS: Heavyweight boxing nowadays is very pitiful. The Klitschko brothers are very smart guys and very professional athletes. Nevertheless, both of them I will fight and they won't make the 12th round. For me, it is unbelievable how both David Haye and Tomasz Adamek fought their fights. If one of these brothers would dare to fight me, I'll get in the ring in no time. Boxing is really sad nowadays. One of the Klitschko brothers has fought in kickboxing. Watch him on YouTube. You will laugh your butt of. And think how long they would last against me? And in the boxing game, it will be the same thing.
PC: Obviously you have great footwork and hand speed. What do you feel will be the toughest kickboxing habits to break coming over to boxing?
GS: Not to kick my opponent when he holds his hands at his waist (laughing). No, seriously, boxing requires adjustments in style, intensity, and the way you move. Adapting to this won't be a problem, but needs time and with help from the best in the boxing industry, I'll be able to accomplish this.
PC: You were very vocal on your Twitter account after the Haye/Klitschko fight. I take it you weren't very impressed?
GS: I've had sleepless nights because of how David Haye fought that fight. It had a total lack of game plan and his only goal was not to get hit. This is not the way to fight big guys. Klitschko's are about the size of Daniel Ghita and Overeem. Boxing, for me, will be much easier because being a smaller fighter...I have to consider the knees of my opponent [in kickboxing], so it's difficult to stay close, but in boxing, close combat will be my safe zone. I will destroy everybody. From a boxing perspective, I reflect on the Mike Tyson fights and how to make it a war with the tall guys. No kicks, no knees, no problem; who dares to fight me?
PC: What would be an ideal situation for you coming over to boxing?
GS: The only right way to do this is to make a connection with the world's top trainers: Freddie Roach, Jeff or Floyd Mayweather, Naazim Richardson. These are names I want to work with. We are now preparing for the fight in January and then we want to move on. The next few months, we are going to make connections with the right people in the boxing industry.
PC: You are very high on the Mayweather's method of training. If possible to work with them, when do you see yourself coming to Las Vegas to do just that?
GS: I feel the Mayweathers would be the perfect guys to work with. We want to go there in February and train there for a number of months and from there on, we want to conquer the world. I want to be heavyweight world champion in at least two of the major boxing bodies.
PC: Best of luck to you with all of your endeavors. I appreciate your time and I hope to have you on more. Is there anything else you want to say in closing my man?
GS: Watch me fight Badr and then keep a close eye on me the next few years. We are gonna shake up the world!
FOR THOSE THAT HAVE NEVER HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE GOKHAN SAKI FIGHT, CHECK OUT SOME OF HIS HIGHLIGHTS IN THE VIDEO BELOW:
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