Mirko filipovic vs remy bonjasky biography

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

Croatian mixed martial artist (born 1974)

Mirko Filipović (Croatian pronunciation:[mîrkofǐːlipɔːʋitɕ]; born 10 September 1974), better known by his ring nameMirko Cro Cop, is a Croatian former professional mixed martial artist, kickboxer and amateur boxer. He is mostly known for his time in Pride Fighting Championships. Cro Cop fought in the UFC, K-1, RIZIN and Bellator. He is widely considered one of the greatest Heavyweight Kickboxers and MMA fighters of all time.

Cro Cop is the 2006 Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix Champion, the K-1 World Grand Prix FINAL in Zagreb Champion and the 2016 Rizin Openweight Grand Prix Champion becoming the second fighter in the world to win mixed martial arts and kickboxing championships and tournaments. He is also a former IGF Champion. His nickname, Cro Cop, short for "Croatian Cop", comes from his employment in the Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit, Croatia's elite Police Special Forces tactical unit.

Cro Cop's signature move was his lightning-quick left high roundhouse kick, once famously described as "right leg, hospital; left leg, cemetery." He was a successful amateur boxer and medalled numerous times in international competition, and was also a member of Croatia's world team when he competed at the 1997 Amateur Boxing World Championships.

From 23 December 2003 until 11 January 2008 he served as a Member of the Croatian Parliament for the 1st electoral district. He was elected as an independent candidate on the list of the Social Democratic Party.

On 1 March 2019, he announced his retirement for health reasons, specifically a stroke he suffered.

Background

Filipović was born on 10 September 1974 in Vinkovci in eastern Croatia, then part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. He was raised in a working-class family with his sister, who is three years his senior. Mirko grew up training in track and

Surinamese-Dutch former kickboxer

Remy Kenneth Bonjasky (born January 10, 1976) is a Surinamese-Dutch former kickboxer. He is a three-time K-1 World Grand Prixheavyweight champion, winning the title in 2003, 2004, and 2008. He is widely considered one of the greatest kickboxers of all time. Bonjasky has been known for his flying kicks, knee attacks and strong defense, hence the nickname "The Flying Gentleman".

Background

Bonjasky was born in Paramaribo, Suriname and moved to the Netherlands when he was 5 years old. Bonjasky was involved in football during his teens, but quit after breaking his leg. At the age of 18, when a friend brought him to the Mejiro Kickboxing Gym to "see who is the best", Bonjasky decided to stay and train and eventually fell in love with kickboxing. After graduating from university, Bonjasky worked as a banker at ABN Amro for a time.

Kickboxing

Early K-1 career, World GP wins in 2003 and 2004

Bonjasky had his first fight at the age of 19 against Valentijn Overeem. Bonjasky won by TKO. From this moment on he quit his job as a network operator and focused on training full-time. Despite losing his first K-1 fight by split decision he made his second fight against an established K-1 fighter, Ray Sefo, winning by TKO.

Bonjasky lost against K-1 and kickboxing superstar Stefan Leko in 2002.

On December 6, 2003 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 quarter-finals in Tokyo, Japan, Bonjasky was matched up against Australian fighter Peter "The Chief" Graham. Remy won the fight by a TKO in the first round. In semi-finals Cyril Abidi fell victim of The Flying Gentleman's flying knee attacks, and after defeating Musashi in the tournament finals by unanimous decision Bonjasky was crowned the K-1 World champion.

In 2004 he accumulated wins over Tsuyoshi Nakasako, Francois Botha, Aziz Khattou and ex-sumo champion Chad "Akebono" Rowan. If it hadn't been for

Remy Bonjasky ranks among the best kickboxing fighters of all time and there is no doubt about that at all. However, he was promptly reminded in Zagreb of the heavy defeat he experienced against Cro-Cop back at the beginning of the previous decade.

"Thank you for reminding me of my defeat eleven years ago. It was at the start of my career, I was fighting one of the best in the world. I lost badly, but some things have changed now. As Mirko said, we even trained together in Zagreb. But our job is to give a good fight to the crowd, I believe that fans love Mirko too, and our job is to give everyone in the world a real show. I'd like to thank Glory for giving me this opportunity, but also to Zovko for enabling all this to happen in Zagreb."

"They're always asking me about my retirement. It's hard for a fighter like me to retire. I love this job and every time I get in the ring I feel a big adrenaline rush. It's as if I was addicted to kickboxing. The outcome of this match will decide whether I continue to fight or retire."

The excellent Dutch-Surinamese fighter did once already interrupt his career for a while.

"Yes, I retired briefly, but Glory asked me to help them bring this sport back to a high level, and I said I was ready for new fights. That was the reason for my return. I had problems with my right eye, but that's behind me now, and I'm happy to be back in the ring."

He has to put aside his friendship with Mirko for this occasion. "Mirko has already said we are friends, but we have to show that fighters take their job in the ring professionally. People pay for the ticket after all, and our job is to make that count. After the event we'll go for a drink, but until then we'll be rivals," Bonjasky revealed during his stay in Zagreb.

Cro Cop: The match against Remy will be great, and then I might go back to MMA!

Mi