When GLORY began to look around Europe to find the next destination for its world-class live event, Sweden’s Stockholm Arena quickly found itself at the top of the list. That was not only because of the Ericsson Globe Arena is one of the world’s best arenas for indoor sporting events, but because Scandinavia is a hotbed of fighting talent with potential to make a mark on the world scene. On May 26, the GLORY World Series – First 16 tournament (70kg class) commence. Featuring the best 70kg (or lightweight) kick-boxers in the world fighting for a $300,000 prize, the competition will be fierce.
Representing Sweden in the tournament is Sanny Dahlbeck while neighboring Denmark is represented by Mohamed El Mir. Dahlbeck will be just 21 years old when he enters the ring for his opening round match with Max Vorovski, who will be crossing the Baltic Sea from nearby Estonia with no intention of giving the Stockholm crowd anything to cheer about. With a record of 23-4, including 14 wins by KO or TKO, Dahlbeck is experienced for his age and has proven stopping power. With designs on stepping onto the world stage and becoming the next Jorgen Kruth, Dahlbeck will have the crowd in raptures if he can add another KO to his resume on May 26. Denmark’s entrant El Mir has won numerous Muay Thai and kickboxing titles in his home nation, where he was national champion from 2005 until 2007. He won the WMC title in 2011 and again this year, at the same time taking his professional record to an impressive 93-9. But fighting in a GLORY world tournament is a whole new level and he doesn’t have an easy task ahead of him - he has drawn the K-1 MAX 2002 winner Albert Kraus in the very first round. It’s a stiff test but, with El Mir keen to make his mark and prove a point with the worlds kickboxing media, it’s also the perfect opportunity to show that he is more than a big fish in a small pond.
Outside the tournament, Swedish lightweight Alex Harris faces Dutch standout Nicky Holzken in a match that has significant bragging rights attached - Swedish promotion Rumble of the Kings is co-promoting the May 26 event in Stockholm and Harris is their fighter, while Holzken is Golden Glory’s, and so there is a friendly but intense rivalry at play. Aside from the opening round of the Glory World Series – First 16, the May 26 event at the Ericsson Globe Arena also features heavyweight action from giants of the sport such as Semmy Schilt, Gokhan Saki, Errol Zimmerman and Sergei Kharitonov.