Superfight Series 19: Ambang looks to lay Daniels memory to rest

“It’s tough being on the other end of the ‘Knockout of the Year,’” admits Virginia-based welterweight Francois ‘Bang Bang’ Ambang (12-4, 4 KO’s).

After winning a ‘Road to GLORY’ eight-man, one-night tournament in 2013, Ambang earned a GLORY contract and looked set to make a mark in the welterweight division. He went 1-1, the loss being to future champion ‘Bazooka’ Joe Valtellini, before meeting Raymond ‘Real Deal’ Daniels at GLORY 16 DENVER in May last year.

The fight ended in epic fashion; Daniels landed a two-hit flying kick which finished on a spinning heel kick to the jaw. Ambang was knocked out cold.

The amazing, movie-style finish went viral immediately and became an instant part of kickboxing history’s all-time highlights. It made Spike TV’s all-time ‘Top 20 GLORY Knockouts’ highlight special and has been viewed more than 750,000 times online.

Ambang is sick of seeing it.

“In regards to my last fight against Raymond Daniels at Glory 16 Denver, it’s tough being on the other end of the ‘Knockout of the Year’, so much media attention, it seems to be imprinted on my brain,” he sighs.

“I have watched that fight numerous times and reviewed what I could have done differently. Since then, I’ve had a lot of time to evaluate, train, prepare, and be ready for what’s ahead.”

The loss was demoralizing for Ambang but it has done nothing to quell his fighting spirit or dampen his ambitions. This coming Friday he will fight Stephen Richards (10-2-1, 2 KO’s), of Atlanta by way of Jamaica.

At 38, Richards is of veteran years for a fighter but is extremely tough (he once had an arm broken in the third round of a fight but went on to win a decision after five rounds), accomplished in Muay Thai and brings plenty of experience to the ring.

“It feels good to belong to such an elite organization. An organization that’s putting kickboxing in the forefront. I love this sport as do many and sometimes it doesn’t get the support it truly deserves. Also, I enjoy tough opponents, which keeps me in check and ready for anything,” he says.

“As Thomas Edison said, ‘Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up’. In GLORY, it has always been my goal, as with any fighter, to be champion. I hope to fight my way to a spot in a Welterweight Contender Tournament.”

Ambang lives in Mechanicsville, Virginia and this is the first time that his friends, family and team mates can attend one of his fights en masse. “I will have my wife Priscilla ringside along with my whole fan club - numerous friends, family, students and team members out of Richmond and Mechanicsville,” he beams.

Later this year, he and his wife will visit DisneyWorld and Ambang will face one of the toughest challenges of his life. Not a fight - he isn’t afraid of them - but a much bigger opponent. “I have never been on a rollercoaster in my life,” he admits. “I don’t mind admitting I am a little nervous, but my wife wants to go and I promised her I would do it.”

Ambang vs. Richards forms part of GLORY SUPERFIGHT SERIES 19 this Friday, February 6. Fans around the world can watch the fights live via our online HD stream, provided by our new partners EverSport, one of the top sports event stream providers.

The stream is priced at $20 and features both the SUPERFIGHT SERIES card and the GLORY 19: VERHOEVEN vs. ZIMMERMAN card, providing four hours of spectacular, hard-hitting action from the world’s premier kickboxing league.