K-1 World MAX 2003 World Tournament final

K-1 World MAX 2003 World Tournament Final was a kickboxing event promoted by the K-1 organization. It was the second ever K-1 MAX final for middleweight kickboxers (70 kg/154 lb weight class) involving eight finalists and two reserve fighters, with all bouts fought under K-1 rules. The tournament fighters had qualified via preliminary tournaments, had been involved in the previous years final, or had been invited due to their achievements in kickboxing and Muay Thai (more information on the fighters is detailed by the bulleted list below). As well as tournament bouts there was also a super fight, also fought under K-1 rules. In total there were twelve fighters at the event, representing seven countries.

K-1 World MAX 2003 World Tournament Final
PromotionK-1
DateJuly 5, 2003
VenueSaitama Super Arena
CityJapan Saitama, Japan
Attendance15,600
Event chronology
K-1 Beast II 2003 K-1 World MAX 2003 World Tournament Final K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Fukuoka

The tournament winner was the home favourite Masato who defeated reigning champion Albert Kraus by knockout, in what was a very entertaining event with five stoppages in the eight bouts. Both Masato and Kraus had challenging routes to the final with Masato having a close decision victory over Mike Zambidis and Kraus overcoming up and comer and future K-1 MAX champion Andy Souwer in the quarter-finals. The event was held in Saitama at the Saitama Super Arena, on Saturday, 5 July 2003.

Finalists

Reservists

  • Japan Yasuhiro Kazuya - K-1 MAX Japan 2003 3rd place, national karate champion
  • Russia Viatcheslav Nesterov - invitee, Kyokushin Karate Oyama Cup 3rd place

K-1 World MAX 2003 World Tournament Final

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Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
  Masato DEC
  Mike Zambidis     Masato KO
  Marfio Canoletti     Sakeddaw Kiatputon  
  Sakeddaw Kiatputon DEC   Masato KO
  Duane Ludwig KO   Albert Kraus  
  Kozo Takeda     Duane Ludwig  
  Albert Kraus TKO   Albert Kraus KO
  Andy Souwer  

Results

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K-1 World MAX 2003 World Tournament Final Results[1]
K-1 World MAX Tournament Reserve Fight -70 kg: K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.1R
  Yasuhiro Kazuya def. Viatcheslav Nesterov  
Kazuya defeated Nesterov by 3rd round Unanimous Decision 3-0.
K-1 World MAX Tournament Quarter-finals -70 kg: K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.1R
  Masato def. Mike Zambidis  
Masato defeated Zambidis by 3rd round Split Decision 2-1.
  Sakeddaw Kiatputon def. Marfio Canoletti  
Kiatputon defeated Canoletti by 3rd round Unanimous Decision 3-0.
  Duane Ludwig def. Kozo Takeda  
Ludwig defeated Takeda by KO (Left Hook) at 0:46 of the 2nd round.
  Albert Kraus def. Andy Souwer  
Kraus defeated Souwer by TKO (Doctor Stoppage, Cut) at 3:00 of the 1st round.
K-1 World MAX Tournament Semi-finals -70 kg: K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.1R
  Masato def. Sakeddaw Kiatputon  
Masato defeated Kiatputon by KO (Right Uppercut) at 2:55 of the 2nd round.
  Albert Kraus def. Duane Ludwig  
Kraus defeated Ludwig by KO (Left Hook) at 1:33 of the 3rd round.
Super Fight -70 kg: K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.1R
  Serkan Yilmaz def. Takashi Ohno  
Yilmaz defeated Ohno by 3rd round Unanimous Decision 3-0.
K-1 World MAX Tournament Final -70 kg: K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.2R
  Masato def. Albert Kraus  
Masato defeated Kraus by KO (Left Hook) at 2:26 of the 2nd round.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Results". K-1 Grand Prix Website. Archived from the original on 2010-09-19.
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