Tyrone Spong, Daniel Ghita and Others
GLORY 9 NEW YORK Kickboxing Starts
HIT THE GYM FOR MEDIA WORKOUT
Glory 9 New York Takes Place at Hammerstein Ballroom in
New York, NY on Saturday, June 22
New York, N.Y. (June 20, 2013) – Kickboxing sensations Tyrone “King of the Ring” Spong (69-6-1) of Boca Raton, Fla. via Suriname and Daniel “The Savage Samurai” Ghita (46-9, 35 KOs) of Romania were joined by rising stars Brett Hlavacek (8-1, 3 KOs) of New York, N.Y., Wayne Barrett (1-0, 1 KO) of Queens, N.Y. and Joseph Valtellini (8-1, 7 KOs) of Canada at a media workout in New York City, two days before the fighters step in the ring for their respective starts at the GLORY 9 New York kickboxing mega-event at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Saturday, June 22.
The event, GLORY’s first-ever championship series fight card in the U.S., will be headlined by a one-night, eight-man, single-elimination light heavyweight (209 pounds/95 kilograms) tournament.
Tickets for GLORY 9 New York, priced from $48 (plus handling fees), are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com and charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000.
Here is what the fighters had to say:
Tyrone Spong:
On his quarterfinal stage tournament opponent, Michael Duut: “[He’s] very hungry and has a lot to win against me. I’ve faced everything already. I’m not worried about anything - just focused on my game. I’m still young, but I got a lot of experience, you know? I’ve got over 100 fights”.
On preparing for tournament style competition: “I always prepare myself completely to be ready for whatever. The damage is the same. You’re still going to feel pain. I think you should train on sharpness and don’t make stupid decisions.”
Daniel Ghita:
On his GLORY 9 New York heavyweight Superfight against Brice Guidon: “He’s a good fighter. My qualities are going to make the difference. I (will) win…in one or two rounds.”
Brett Hlavacek:
On what gives him the advantage over GLORY 9 New York preliminary card welterweight (177 pounds/70 kilograms) opponent and Muay Thai champion Paul Marfort: “It’s going to be a tough fight, but I think my skill and technique will prevail. I’m a little more involved, a little more creative”.
On his opponent: “He’s a solid veteran and will be a solid challenge for me”.
Wayne Barrett:
On his GLORY 9 New York middleweight (187 pounds/85 kilograms) Superfight against Mike Lemaire: “He’s an aggressive guy. He likes to come forward. I think he’s tailor made for me. I love guys who come forward. One thing that guys don’t do is move and I got great movement. No matter what, no one’s ready for movement. He’s an explosive guy, but he has some bad habits and, hopefully, we will expose them. I have faith in myself and faith in my abilities. I have no doubt that June 22 will be my night”.
Joseph Valtellini:
On his recent victory over kickboxing legend, Murat Direkci: “Fighting at that level on someone else’s home-ground was tough. From there, I learned a few things about what it means to be here at the highest level of kickboxing. I think we’ll see a better Valtellini (on Saturday) night.”
On his GLORY 9 New York welterweight Superfight opponent: “For him to be at this level, he’s got to be a dangerous opponent, so I’m taking everything he has seriously, but I’m prepared for whatever he has to bring”.
Doors at Hammerstein Ballroom will open for GLORY 9 New York at 5 p.m. EST and the first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m.
