K-1 Global Statement in Regards to K-1 World MAX Finals on October 11th
Oct 15, 2014 Comments
(PRESS RELEASE) -- On Saturday, October 11th, K-1 held the K-1
World MAX Finals in Pattaya, Thailand. The live event began at
19:00 and the LIVE BROADCAST on TV Channel 7 started at 22:45
showcasing three fights in addition to the main event between
Buakaw Benchamek of Thailand and Enriko Kehl from Germany. K-1 has
been one of the world’s top fighting brands since it began back in
1993. Buakaw Banchamek (nee Por. Pramuk) began his K-1 career in
2004 where he went on to become the K-1 World MAX Champion for the
first time. He went on to win the tournament again and became a big
name both in Japan and across the world.
The K-1 World Max tournament is one of the most prestigious championships in all of kickboxing, with the K-1 MAX athletes being some of the most popular across the world. On October 11th the K-1 World MAX Finals in Pattaya were viewed on Thai television as well as via a live internet stream and watched by millions of fans worldwide. Buakaw Banchamek had earned his way into the tournament finals by fighting three previous fights in the tournament, in the Final 16, the Final 4 and the Semi-Finals.
During the fight between Buakaw Banchamek and Enriko Kehl on
Saturday evening an incident involving Banchamek and his team
occurred before the fight was over. After competing for three
rounds Banchamek and his team left the ring and promptly left the
arena without a word, all while the judges were tabulating the
final scores. Under K-1 rules if a fight is found to be a draw
after three rounds of competition there is a fourth and final round
to determine a winner, which is what occurred on Saturday
evening.
The problem was that Mr. Banchamek and his team had already left the building before the result of the fight could be announced. This left everyone, from fans in attendance to fans viewing around the world, confused as to what had happened. Due to this unprofessional behavior the referee was given no choice but to rule that Mr. Banchamek had forfeited the fight by not returning to the ring to compete in the contracted extension round. This meant that Enriko Kehl was awarded the victory in Banchamek’s absence. Buakaw and his team had clearly showed the world by leaving the ring before the decision was made that he had no intention of accepting the belt or the championship if he had won.
According to K-1 rules, which have not changed in years, if a fight is ruled a draw there must be an extension round to determine a winner. There is a possibility of up to two extension rounds if needed. This information was made explicitly clear to both fighters and is also common practice for K-1 fights of this caliber. This should come as no surprise to someone like Banchamek who has competed in K-1 for over ten years and won two previous K-1 Championships. It was clear that he had no intention of upholding his duties as a K-1 fighter in said fight, which he was paid for in advance on September 22nd before the event.
As stated previously, Banchamek was paid his contracted sum for his fight against Enriko Kehl on September 22nd, well over two weeks in advance of the fight on October 11th. Furthermore, k-1 had an open event and everyone can investigate as they see fit. K-1 has nothing to hide. There was no gambling involved in this event on K-1 behalf. K-1 Global is proud of the K-1 World MAX Finals in Pattaya event and appreciates the support of the fans across the world. K-1 also appreciates all of the efforts by the fighters on the event and would like to instead focus on all of the fighters who put their hard work into entertaining the fans around the world rather than those spinning false conspiracies.
Office of K-1 Global Holdings
The K-1 World Max tournament is one of the most prestigious championships in all of kickboxing, with the K-1 MAX athletes being some of the most popular across the world. On October 11th the K-1 World MAX Finals in Pattaya were viewed on Thai television as well as via a live internet stream and watched by millions of fans worldwide. Buakaw Banchamek had earned his way into the tournament finals by fighting three previous fights in the tournament, in the Final 16, the Final 4 and the Semi-Finals.
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The problem was that Mr. Banchamek and his team had already left the building before the result of the fight could be announced. This left everyone, from fans in attendance to fans viewing around the world, confused as to what had happened. Due to this unprofessional behavior the referee was given no choice but to rule that Mr. Banchamek had forfeited the fight by not returning to the ring to compete in the contracted extension round. This meant that Enriko Kehl was awarded the victory in Banchamek’s absence. Buakaw and his team had clearly showed the world by leaving the ring before the decision was made that he had no intention of accepting the belt or the championship if he had won.
According to K-1 rules, which have not changed in years, if a fight is ruled a draw there must be an extension round to determine a winner. There is a possibility of up to two extension rounds if needed. This information was made explicitly clear to both fighters and is also common practice for K-1 fights of this caliber. This should come as no surprise to someone like Banchamek who has competed in K-1 for over ten years and won two previous K-1 Championships. It was clear that he had no intention of upholding his duties as a K-1 fighter in said fight, which he was paid for in advance on September 22nd before the event.
As stated previously, Banchamek was paid his contracted sum for his fight against Enriko Kehl on September 22nd, well over two weeks in advance of the fight on October 11th. Furthermore, k-1 had an open event and everyone can investigate as they see fit. K-1 has nothing to hide. There was no gambling involved in this event on K-1 behalf. K-1 Global is proud of the K-1 World MAX Finals in Pattaya event and appreciates the support of the fans across the world. K-1 also appreciates all of the efforts by the fighters on the event and would like to instead focus on all of the fighters who put their hard work into entertaining the fans around the world rather than those spinning false conspiracies.
Office of K-1 Global Holdings
