[INOKI BOM-BA-YE] K-1 fighters in Seido Kaikan! Royce Gracie coaches them.

Sparring of K-1 fighters who face Team Inoki in INOKI BOM-BA-YE 2001, December 31, was held at Seido Kaikan, Tokyo on Tuesday 11th. Royce Gracie teaches them mixed martial arts techniques. He came to Japan on Friday 7th and he coaches Ray Sefo who is already confirmed his entry. Unfortunately we could see only the guidance of sleeper from stand position in their sparring. They seemed to train early on the day.

Sefo said with a look of satisfaction, "I boost my confidence by it. I have good training." Royce evaluates him highly, "The details of the training is secret. Ray already knows how to win bouts, so all I have to do is to teach the way not to lose. He needs only to develop his stuff." Royce will coach them till Sunday 16th. He is likely to go back to America for Christmas and to visit Japan again as a second before the event. Sefo says that any opponent will do.

Mark Hunt, Mike Bernardo, Jan "THE GIANT" Nortje, Ebenezer Fontes Braga and Ryushi Yanagisawa also gathered in Seido Kaikan. K-1 producer and Seido Kaikan director, Mr. Kazuyoshi Ishii only said, "I think entry fighters of K-1 decide informally tomorrow." We do not know yet who will fight in the event. Mark Hunt looked tired because of many interviews after win at K-1 World GP. He says about the event, "It depends on fight money." Mr. Ishii says that Bernardo may fight there. He seems to negotiate with them. Nortje fight in PRIDE.18, December 23 with Norihisa Yamamoto, from Takada Dojo. Braga and Yanagisawa appear to be coaches and sparring partners.

Team Inoki is to announce the lineup after Mr. Antonio Inoki's return, Friday. But madia says Inoki Office, Tokyo, had about 2.8 million yen stolen. It may have some effects on the announce schedule.

(Report & Pics : Yoshinori Ihara ; English translation : Mayuko Konno)

Last Update : 12/15 15:17