LeBanner looked relaxed, and was playful with the photographers:
"I've been waiting for the big event, and I'm very ready. Hong Man looks like one of the twin towers I have to destroy. And I'll try not to get a pain in my neck looking up at him!"
Choi, who has become something of a fashion horse, appeared today in a burgundy velvet blazer, and quipped:
"LeBanner is cool isn't he? Well, I trained hard and will do my best. I know it will be a good result."
The second tournament matchup will pit K-1 Super Heavyweight Champion and two-time and Defending WGP Champion Semmy Schilt of Holland against Brazilian kyokushin master Glaube Feitosa. These two are possibly K-1's most stoic fighters, and fittingly, both wore gray business suits and were reserved with their comments.
Said
Schilt:
"I'm glad to be here as the Champion, I will show you a great fight and we'll decide who is best."
Feitosa:
"Fighting the Champ pleases me, I am ready and set and will put up a great fight."
The second bracket opens with Moroccan bad boy Badr Hari. The K-1 Heavyweight Champion, Hari turned 23 just three days ago; and tomorrow he will face two-time WGP Champion Remy "The Gentleman" Bonjasky of Holland. There is no love lost between this pair, who have lashed out at one another in interviews. But today's cool weather seemed to take the fire out of their comments. A bundled-up Bonjasky showed little emotion, while the meanest thing Hari sent his opponent's way was a stare.
Hari:
"Ladies and gentlemen I am happy to be here, happy my friends came from very far away to watch me, and tomorrow I'm ready to knock somebody out."
Bonjasky:
"I am doing sport, I want to be the best and this is just another fight. Maybe Badr hates me, maybe he doesn't, but anyway I wish all the fighters good health."
The last of the quarterfinals features three-time WGP Champion Peter Aerts of Holland and 23-year-old Japanese kickboxer Junichi Sawayashiki. Incredibly, the veteran Aerts has competed in all 15 K-1 WGP finals.
Aerts:
"I didn't prepare a speech, but I hope to kick some ass tomorrow. My opponent, he looks like he could be my son -- but I haven't seen his mother though so I don't know."
Sawayashiki:
"I am fully prepared for tomorrow and will fight my very best."
When a reporter told Sawayashiki many observers believe Aerts will walk over him, the 23 year old smiled and said, "I think so too."
In the tournament Reserve Fight it will be Mighty Mo of the United States and Paul Slowinski of Australia.
Mo:
"I feel good, Paul is a top-notch fighter so I'll bring my A-game!"
Slowinski:
"It's a big chance for me against Mighty Mo. I was supposed to fight Ray Sefo, so I trained for a boxer with big hands, Mo and Ray have similar styles so it doesn't make much difference."
