Fri, Jan 02, 2004 page22

• Sapp defeats Akebono as Tyson waits

  K-1 Bob Sapp, a former NFL lineman with the Vikings, used hand combinations to floor the Hawaiian-born wrestler in a scheduled three-round bout in Nagoya

  • AP
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  Former sumo wrestler Akebono didn't last long in his K-1 debut against Bob Sapp.

  The massive Hawaiian-born wrestler went down in the waning seconds of the first round in the three-round bout before 43,500 at Nagoya Dome.

  

  Former sumo great Taro Akebono, left, and former NFL flop Bob Sapp fight in a K-1 bout in Nagoya, Japan, Wednesdat. Sapp won by technical knockout.

  PHOTO: AFP

  Sapp, a veteran of K-1, used a series of low kicks to the legs in an attempt to exploit the gimpy knees that forced Akebono to retire from sumo in 2001.

  "Tyson, you're next," Sapp said after the bout. "It's been a year of challenges. Akebono accepted the challenge and now it's your turn."

  K-1 organizers are looking to tap into the lucrative American market and have signed Mike Tyson to a contract, but no fights involving the former heavyweight have been confirmed so far.

  "I thought it was an exciting fight," said Tyson via satellite from Hawaii. "As I expected, Akebono couldn't take the punches. In his previous career in sumo he didn't have to deal with anything like that."

  The 202cm, 210kg Akebono, who started training for this bout only two months ago, got off to a good start, forcing Sapp into the corner several times with his weight advantage and arm thrusts.

  "I trained hard for two months," said Akebono. "I had no idea how strong Bob was, but tonight I was able to experience his strength."

  After being forced to the corner, the 193cm, 156kg Sapp bounced back and knocked Akebono down twice before finishing him off with a flurry that bloodied the nose of the former grand champion, who fell head first to the canvas and was slow getting up.

  Sapp, who is tremendously popular in Japan, entered Wednesday's contest with a 4-3 record in K-1 bouts.

  Akebono drew the biggest ovation in the pre-bout introductions. His fans were anxious to see how his prowess in Japan's ancient sport would translate to K-1, a brutal sport that combines elements of karate and kickboxing.

  Akebono, who was the first foreigner to reach sumo's highest rank of grand champion, severed all ties with the sport in November in order to take up a career in K-1. He said after Wednesday's bout that he would like a rematch.

  "I'd like to have a little more time to prepare and if Mr. Sapp is willing to give me another chance I'd like to fight him again," said Akebono.

  In agreeing to take on Sapp, many felt Akebono was tarnishing the image of a grand champion by fighting in K-1.

  The title of yokozuna is more than a sports achievement -- it's considered a mark of honor and its holders are held up to very high standards, even after leaving the raised ring.

  While the 34-year-old Akebono said his decision to take on Sapp was driven by a desire to compete, many speculated that his motives were financial. Akebono was unable to get the backing of the sumo world to set up his own stable after retiring. Akebono won 11 Emperor's Cups in sumo, one less than fellow Hawaiian Musashimaru, who retired in November.

  In Japan, K-1 bouts are regularly staged before crowds of up to 70,000.
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