[sumo] Akebono again K-1 press

["Barbara Ann" <baklein@attglobal.net>]

Akebono, Penn on July 29 card


By Dayton Morinaga <mailto:dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com>  
Advertiser Staff Writer

How popular is mixed martial arts in Hawai'i? 

The K-1 organization of Japan will put that to the test next month when it
attempts to draw a record crowd to Aloha Stadium. 

 <http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2005/Jun/21/sp02mug.jpg> 	
AKEBENO

	
Stadium spokesman Patrick Leonard confirmed yesterday that K-1 officials
have secured July 29 for a card that is expected to feature international
stars of the sport. It will be the first mixed martial arts event staged at
Aloha Stadium. 

Richard Chou, a Hawai'i promoter who is assisting K-1 officials with the
event, said Hilo's B.J. Penn and former sumo grand champion Akebono of
Waimanalo are scheduled to fight on the card. 

"A lot of contracts are still in the works," Chou said. "But it could be the
biggest thing in combat sports to hit the United States, let alone Hawai'i."


Penn is expected to face Brazilian jiu-jitsu master Renzo Gracie in one of
the "Super Fight" main events at 185 pounds. Penn is widely regarded as the
best "pound for pound" mixed martial arts fighter in the world. 

Gracie is considered one of the legendary figures in the sport and he runs
several jiu-jitsu schools around the world. 

Penn is currently involved in an assault charge against a Ho-nolulu police
officer, but Chou said the ongoing case should not affect the card. 

Another of the "Super Fight" main events will be a battle of giants.
Akebono, who is listed at 6 feet 8 and 485 pounds, is scheduled to face
Hong-Man Choi of Korea. 

Choi is listed at 7-2 and 353 pounds. 

One more "Super Fight" is expected to be announced, and an eight-man
heavyweight tournament is also scheduled. 

Chou said K-1 officials are hoping to draw 20,000 fans to Aloha Stadium for
the event. 

The U.S. attendance record for a mixed martial arts event is believed to be
14,562 for an Ultimate Fighting Championship card in Las Vegas two months
ago. 

The Hawai'i event is also expected to be televised nationally in Japan. 

Michael Onzuka, a jiu-jitsu instructor in Hawai'i and a mixed martial arts
judge and journalist, said the attempt at the attendance record could depend
on ticket prices. 

"I think you'll see a good crowd because Akebono is a huge draw and
Penn-Gracie is a big match-up," Onzuka said. "But the only way they can get
close to 20,000 is to offer tickets at bargain basement prices. If not, I
think 10,000 is still a good number." 

Ticket prices have yet to be announced. 

In a separate mixed martial arts event July 23, Waipahu's Falaniko Vitale
will defend his Super Brawl 185-pound championship against Iowa's Robbie
Lawler at the Blaisdell Center Arena. 

Mixed martial arts events have been drawing capacity crowds to the Blaisdell
Center Arena in recent years. A Rumble on the Rock card featuring B.J. Penn
against Rodrigo Gracie last November drew a standing-room- only crowd of
more than 8,000. 



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[EndPost by "Barbara Ann" <baklein@attglobal.net>]