K-1 - Musashi, Hoost and Sapp Win in Saitama
Bernardo vs. Nortje
Mar 27, 2004
A pair of South African fighters, Mike Bernardo and Jan "The Giant"
Nortje, met in the third bout. There has been bad blood between
these two ever since Bernardo left the gym (Steve Kalakuda's) where
Nortje still trains.
"I think everyone is about fed up with you, Mike," said a somber Nortje to Bernardo at the pre-event press conference. "When you left our gym two years ago, you spoke badly of us. That wasn't very Christian of you. Well, what goes around comes around, and tomorrow I'll be coming around."
Bernardo had some strong words of his own for Nortje, "Look between
the lies and you'll find the truth. You'll be coming around
tomorrow, after the count of ten!"
After a severe center-ring stare-down during the referee's pre-fight instructions, the two men fell into a game of cat and mouse -- Bernardo slowly circling Nortje, occasionally throwing in low kicks, Nortje the big southpaw jabbing with his right, inching forward, looking for openings. Midway through the first, Nortje muscled Bernardo into the corner and let loose with a quick punch combination that sent him to the canvas for a down. Soon afterward, Nortje again got his opponent against the ropes, and this time it was a right hook that felled Bernardo. Soon afterward, the Giant, in what has to be had to be his best fight since 2002, unloaded a barrage of punches on Bernardo, who was totally overwhelmed and unable to answer. Although Bernardo briefly slipped out of harm's way, Nortje stomped back inside and delivered the coup de grace with a devastating left hook.
The KO victory delighted the crowd, and Nortje pumped his fist in the air as Bernardo sat stunned on the canvas, his head bowed in defeat. In a gesture of good sportsmanship, both Steve Kalakuda and Nortje came over to give Bernardo a hug.
"I promised I'd win," said Nortje afterwards, "and I am happy to keep my promise!"
"I think everyone is about fed up with you, Mike," said a somber Nortje to Bernardo at the pre-event press conference. "When you left our gym two years ago, you spoke badly of us. That wasn't very Christian of you. Well, what goes around comes around, and tomorrow I'll be coming around."
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After a severe center-ring stare-down during the referee's pre-fight instructions, the two men fell into a game of cat and mouse -- Bernardo slowly circling Nortje, occasionally throwing in low kicks, Nortje the big southpaw jabbing with his right, inching forward, looking for openings. Midway through the first, Nortje muscled Bernardo into the corner and let loose with a quick punch combination that sent him to the canvas for a down. Soon afterward, Nortje again got his opponent against the ropes, and this time it was a right hook that felled Bernardo. Soon afterward, the Giant, in what has to be had to be his best fight since 2002, unloaded a barrage of punches on Bernardo, who was totally overwhelmed and unable to answer. Although Bernardo briefly slipped out of harm's way, Nortje stomped back inside and delivered the coup de grace with a devastating left hook.
The KO victory delighted the crowd, and Nortje pumped his fist in the air as Bernardo sat stunned on the canvas, his head bowed in defeat. In a gesture of good sportsmanship, both Steve Kalakuda and Nortje came over to give Bernardo a hug.
"I promised I'd win," said Nortje afterwards, "and I am happy to keep my promise!"
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