Heavyweight legend Remy Bonjasky (98-12, 36 KO’s) today announced that his fight with fellow icon Mirko ‘CroCop’ Filipovic (22-7, 12 KO’s) this weekend is going to be the last of his career.
Bonjasky, who faces ‘CroCop’ in the headline bout of GLORY 14 ZAGREB this Saturday, March 8 - made the announcement at today’s pre-fight press conference.
The era-ending fight will air across America on SPIKE TV at 9pm ET/8pm CT and will be broadcast to over 150 territories worldwide.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about when my last fight is going to be. Now I’ve built up a good career behind the scenes and I believe that this is the right moment,” he told the attending media in downtown Zagreb, Croatia.
“I had my first ever K-1 fight against Mirko and now he will be my last in GLORY, so I think that is the perfect way to end my career.”
‘CroCop’ and Bonjasky fought in 2002 when ‘The Flying Gentleman’ was trying to break onto the K- circuit, in its heyday at the time. He lost by TKO in the second round but felt the stoppage was early.
Now he gets the chance to settle the score before hanging up the gloves for good. And he intends to go all-out for the win, explaining that there is no reason for him to hold back.
“I am not worried about picking up any injures- after all, I don’t have any fight coming up after this one!” he laughed.
“I am willing to give everything for myself and my team. For my audience fans and family. I want to show them something in my last fight.”
Following their first fight, ‘CroCop’ and Bonjasky developed a loose friendship and spent periods as training partners in Bonjasky’s native Amsterdam. But that won’t give either side an advantage, according to Bonjasky.
“It is true we did fight before and we were sparring partners also. I have my style and he has his. We know each other and there are no secrets,” he said.
“This doesn’t matter. The crucial thing is going to be a failure in concentration or a little movement going wrong, this is what leads to the knockout.
“It’s in the details. Everyone knows his left high kick and my jumping knee. So it’s all in details, like he says there will be a moment when he is not concentrated and that will be when the fight is won.”
Bonjasky says that, win or lose, he intends to hang the gloves up this weekend. And afterwards?
“I will take a rest and a long vacation, then concentrate on building up my academy, that is one of my biggest plans,” he said, referring to his ‘Bonjasky Academy’ kickboxing school.
“I want to open up some more academies across Holland. And I’m doing some TV work in Holland, so I am very busy.”
GLORY 14 ZAGREB takes place this Saturday, March 8 in Zagreb, Croatia. The SPIKE TV card features a four-man Middleweight Contender Tournament.
The co-main event is a World Lightweight Title fight between Andy ‘The Machine’ Ristie (41-3-1, 21 KO’s) and Davit Kiria (21-9, 6 KO’s).
