GOKHAN SAKI believes he is the fastest heavyweight kickboxer in the world - and is hoping his six-year
pursuit of a rematch with Badr Hari will finally bear fruit after knocking out the Moroccan’s team-mate Melvin Manhoef
in sensational style.
Saki may have to wait a while longer for the contest he
craves, as hot-headed Hari has announced he is taking an indefinite break from fighting to “set some things straight”
following his disqualification defeat for kicking Hesdy Gerges in the face while he was down.
Saki remains hopeful that a return with the fallen former It’s Showtime heavyweight champion will happen
sooner rather than later however, and is more confident than ever he can avenge his rib injury retirement defeat from their
2004 encounter when it does.
Razor-sharp and with knockout power in both hands
and feet, Saki first told Fightnewz.net he wanted to get to grips with Hari again two years ago after stopping Paul Slowinski.
And after producing the performance of the night to demolish Manhoef in two rounds
before Hari had his meltdown at the annual It’s Showtime event in Amsterdam, a return looks one of the most appetising
matches that could be made at the moment.
Saki says he has both the speed and
temperament to topple Hari, who seemed to tire after unsuccessfully trying to take out resilient Gerges with heavy punch combinations.
"I’m the fastest heavyweight in the world - 100% - and I want to fight Badr Hari," said
the 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix in Hawaii tournament champion.
"It’s time to
fight him - I want my rematch.
"He is the best and he is popular but I know
I can beat him and I want to take his place.
"That’s why I want to fight
him and I’m confident I can beat him because I train hard and I’m a tactical fighter.
"He fights like Melvin Manhoef. He goes 20 seconds on full power and after that if you make good pressing you
are going to win the fight for sure.
"It's about tactics - not just fighting.
Like when I fought Manhoef - it's about controlling your emotions."
Saki
is of the opinion that Hari - who was also disqualified in the 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix Final for stomping on the head of
a downed Remy Bonjasky - committed his latest foul against Gerges because he was frustrated and beginning to gas out.
The technical Turkish-Dutchman said: "It's not nice what he did. I think
Badr was going to win but he was tired, so that’s why he made that action.
"I'm a fighter too, I know these things. It’s not good what he did."
Saki has always been renowned for his fast reflexes but looked even quicker than usual in his devastating three knockdown
victory against slugger Manhoef, his fourth in a row since rebounding from an injury-affected 2009 which included three consecutive
K-1 losses.
The 26-year-old nicknamed 'The Rebel' added: "I
train with light guys and heavyweights - I train a lot of time for explosion and that’s why I’m so fast.
"A lot of people thought he was going to knock me out, but I know I’m faster than him.
"I felt good on the day. I trained good and I wasn’t nervous."
