Akebono haigyo!

[Kashunowaka 300]

I am tired already of this K-1 stuff. It's good that the basho is about to start! (Sign of approval)

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

Is this Bob Sapp related to Warren Sapp? Now that guy's a beast.

So Akebono gets his ass kicked in K-1 a time or two and retires to a quiet happy life away from us most likely (Shaking head...)

Let the basho begin! ;-) (Bye, bye...)

(Edit: and with all due respect, there's no way Akebono deserves the same bonus 100M yen as Chiyonofuji. They're not in the same league.)

Edited November 8, 2003 by Yoavoshimaru

[Zentoryu 154]

Is this Bob Sapp related to Warren Sapp?  Now that guy's a beast.

No. There is no relation. In fact, Warren gets angry when people insinuate that they are related.

(Edit: and with all due respect, there's no way Akebono deserves the same bonus 100M yen as Chiyonofuji.

Edited November 8, 2003 by Zentoryu

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

If Chiyonofuji's retirement had come now, he probably would have gotten much, MUCH, more than the 100 million he got back then.

I'm sure you are right. How much did Takanohana get btw?

[Zentoryu 154]

If Chiyonofuji's retirement had come now, he probably would have gotten much, MUCH, more than the 100 million he got back then.

I'm sure you are right. How much did Takanohana get btw?

I have no idea. I'm sure it was posted to the SML, but I must've missed it. With the search engine down, I can't find out.

They had to have given him more than they gave to Akebono, there's no way they could justify giving them both the same amount.

[Jesinofuji 11]

Against Sapp, I think Akebono has a chance, well a small one anyway. Akebono would have to grab him, throw him down, and attack from above. Even someone as big and strong as Sapp would reel at the thought of being pinned under Akebono.

Only problem is, that's not legal in K-1. You can only fight standing up. It's in MMA you can fight on the ground as well.

I don't think they allow grappling either. Just puches and kicks.

But Akebono beware! Rumour has it Sapp has actually started to learn a bit of kicking and some proper punching.

Only he usually forget all about it in the heat of battle.

This is going to come down to what 'rules' they use. what is allowed in the match is decided before the fight. Many K-1 matches are done with whats calles 'MMA rules' where this stuff would be allowed. Most are done with the standard 'K-1 rules' and I've even heard of some being done with boxing rules. Its not at all unlikely that they would invent a new 'rules' for a specific match. Remember, this is entertainment first, sport second. Last heard, the rules for this match were undecided. Bob Sapp even said he would be willing to go by Sumo rules, whatever that would be in K-1. I downloaded some Bob Sapp matches on gnutella. Takedowns and headlocks are happening.

Just a thought, could this be an opening for Akebono taking his career in a direction more like Konishiki's, as an entertainer? I still hope he goes back to Sumo.

[Takanobaka 0]

I can't seem to find the article online, but in this morning's New York Post I read that supposedly Mike Tyson wants a piece of Akebono in the ring. Now THAT would be scary. If I find the article, I'll reprint it here.

[Asashosakari 20,225]

I can't seem to find the article online, but in this morning's New York Post I read that supposedly Mike Tyson wants a piece of Akebono in the ring.  Now THAT would be scary.  If I find the article, I'll reprint it here.

I'd be scared anytime Tyson wants "a piece" of anybody, actually. :-P

Edited November 10, 2003 by Asashosakari

[Zenjimoto 40]

I just find it sad that a formerly great Yokozuna is now mentioned together with the likes of a convicted violent criminal and obvious psychopath... :-P

[Takanobaka 0]

I just find it sad that a formerly great Yokozuna is now mentioned together with the likes of a convicted violent criminal and obvious psychopath... (Holiday feeling...)

Actually, it didn't mention Akebono. It merely said former sumo champion, or something along those lines. Running an archival search, it was the first time sumo had been mentioned in the Post at all since Akebono retired. However, Tyson has become quite the favorite of the New York tabloids...

[Mikiro 0]

I realize I am often out of touch, but I had never heard of K-1. I am agog over this and do not understand. I do not see any positives. I do not know how much money Akebono is getting, but I bet Vince McMahon would have paid more and the work would have been easier. Is there more honor in K-1 than WWE? In the words of that great philosopher Chester A. Riley, "What a revoltin' development this is."

[Jesinofuji 11]

Akebono did say it was a dream of his to compete in martial arts competition. He's probably getting alot of money for one match, and if he joined WWF he would probably have to participate for a long time to make the same amount.

[Takanobaka 0]

I realize I am often out of touch, but I had never heard of K-1. I am agog over this and do not understand. I do not see any positives. I do not know how much money Akebono is getting, but I bet Vince McMahon would have paid more and the work would have been easier. Is there more honor in K-1 than WWE? In the words of that great philosopher Chester A. Riley, "What a revoltin' development this is."

WWE probably wasn't an option; K1 is, for the most part, based out of Japan, whereas WWE is almost exclusively in North America. If Akebono left to work for WWE, there is a chance he could have lost his citizenship (which I presume he would want to avoid). Also, the way the tax systems work between Japan and the US, WWE would have had to pay him more for the after-tax income to be the same (but on the other hand, standard of living is lower in the US...).

As for the other part, there seems to be slightly more honor in K1 since it isn't choreographed. Additionally, K1 stars get just as popular in the mainstream as WWE stars do (Bob Sapp's public persona is somewhat similar to that of The Rock, only quite a bit more self-deprecating). Besides, rather than hire a real yokozuna, Vince McMahon would just hire some fat schlub and call him a yokozuna (or a rikishi *pronounced Rah-Kee-Shee* (Sign of disapproval) for that matter...)

[QttP 0]

I realize I am often out of touch, but I had never heard of K-1. I am agog over this and do not understand. I do not see any positives. I do not know how much money Akebono is getting, but I bet Vince McMahon would have paid more and the work would have been easier. Is there more honor in K-1 than WWE? In the words of that great philosopher Chester A. Riley, "What a revoltin' development this is."

K-1 is still somewhat a sport. WWE is 100% theatre.