Q&A with MMA
fighter Kotetsu Boku
by
rick olivares
When I first saw Japanese-Korean Mixed Martial Artist
Kotetsu Boku in the promotions for One FC: Rise of Kings in October of 2012,
the first thought in my mind was, “Whoa, he looks like a modern-day drunken
master.” You know that character from the old Jackie Chan film Drunken Master
(that popularized Zui Quan as a fighting style). I also thought of that old
dude from Tekken.
Once he got into the ring against Brazilian Zorobabel
Moreira, I thought he was a goner as the former beat up on him. Still Boku held
on as he miraculously took an insane amount of punishment to make it to the
third and final round.
In the midst of another pummeling by Moreira, Boku
fought back and landed one of those punches that every fighter dreams of, a
haymaker that sends one to dreamland. Moreira fell as Boku finished him off.
It was an incredible comeback and Boku claimed the
vacant One FC Lightweight Championship. Moreira’s gym mate, Shinya Aoki, gained
revenge on Boku six months later in One FC: Kings and Warriors where his rear
naked choke forced the Japanese-Korean to submit in the second round losing his
title.
But no matter, Boku has become one of my favorite MMA
fighters. Here’s an interview I conducted recently.
Rick: Did the match against Shinya Aoki go as planned?
What have you learned from that match?
Kotetsu
Boku: No, I could not do anything
when I faced Shinya Aoki. It tells me that I have to improve when I face
high profile fighter like Shinya Aoki. I will grow stronger from that bout and
get better.
Rick: Going into One FC Kojima vs Leone, you’re up against
Vuyisile Colossa, a fighter with a strong stand up game with excellent striking
ability. He is also coming off a loss. How do you intend to fight him?
Kotetsu
Boku: I want a hard-hitting game
that will get all the fans excited. Colossa likes to fight stand up and I like
to fight stand up as well. It will be an exciting standup battle. This fight
will be an exciting contest and I am confident that I will emerge victorious.
Rick: Having competed for a long time, is your opinion, is
MMA growing in Asia?
Kotetsu
Boku: Yes, it is growing now in
Asia. The achievements of One FC will be a huge part of the contribution.
One FC is revolutionizing MMA in Asia again that it is becoming very big all
over Asia. Every One FC show is sold out and the fans are very passionate about
the fights.
Rick: How do you like competing in the One FC where every
other month you’re in another country?
Kotetsu
Boku: It is a great opportunity for
me, and appreciate all of One FC's support and fans in Asia. Every country I go
to the fans are very supportive, very encouraging. I love my fans all across
Asia and it is an honor to put on a show for them.
The Boku-Colossa will be the co-main event of One FC
Kojima vs. Leone this coming September 13 at Jakarta, Indonesia.
No comments:
Post a Comment