JUST when Joerie Mes' opponents thought it was safe to get in the ring with him, the fighter known as 'The
Shark' has bitten back big time with two of the biggest left hook knockouts seen this year in combat sports.
First the man from Amsterdam rebounded from a series of difficult defeats to leave Takayuki Kohiruimaki
flat on his back with a second remaining of a dramatic K-1 debut in Japan.
Then he produced an even more devastating finish to destroy Chris Ngimbi in two rounds in his latest
fight in Eindhoven.
And after showing the kickboxing world that he still means business, the 30-year-old is plotting a
hostile attack on K-1 Max as he looks to end his storied career on a high.
Mes admits he is no longer the same driven animal of old, but he still loves to fight and since dropping
down from 76 kilos dreams of capturing the K-1 Max title before hanging up his gloves for good.
"Things are looking a lot better for me but I'm getting older now and I'm not as hungry as I once was,"
he said.
"I enjoy other things now - when I was younger I was only about kickboxing, kickboxing, kickboxing.
"I just got married (to Anjane) and I'm not as hungry as I was before.
"But I still want to fight and it's not too late. If everything goes well, my goal
is still Japan.
"That's the only reason I went down in weight and I'll give myself a year, year-and-a-half to
achieve it, otherwise I think I will retire."
Mes has pushed twice K-1 Max champion Andy Souwer desperately close in a points defeat and feels there is
little to choose between the division's elite fighters.
"Things can happen in a split second and it's all to do with who is in the best shape on the day - sometimes
you feel good."
Mes was delighted with his victory over Ngimbi but was initially concerned
for the 22-year-old, whose head crashed off the canvas after he paid a painful price for missing with a knee.
"It was one of my most spectacular knockouts and I think my last one in Japan was also because there was
a second to go and I thought that one was better," he said.
"But it was explosive - I saw the knee coming because he was dangerous with his knee.
"But after the knee his hands were low, so I saw the chance to hit him with the hook and my left hook is
one of my best weapons.
"I must admit I was a little bit scared seeing him go down like that.
"I've been in this business a long time now and I don't want anybody to get really hurt.
"It's just a sport, I don't hate my opponent. It's the same as other sports, you just want to win."
Mes can relate to Ngimbi's defeat after being knocked out heavily by a Dimitri Shakuta high kick and is hoping his Dutch compatriot - who recovered to leave the ring of his own accord - can rebuild
in the same way he did.
"Chris is a good up-and-coming fighter and I hope he can handle it mentally," he said.
"I've been there myself after Shakuta, so I know it's difficult to come back from.
"I would advise him to just settle down for a month and take his time - it's just a step along the way.
"You have to grow and now you know what can happen in the ring you must train harder and be prepared and
try not to make mistakes.
"But it can always happen. It's a hard game, you know?"
But it's onwards and upwards for veteran Mes and, he hopes, glory in K-1 Max.
"Sometimes you need a new goal in your career, otherwise you get bored, and that's my new goal," he added.
