Kickboxing: Adesanya set for King in the Ring

CRUISERWEIGHT: Israel Adesanya will fight in the high-profile King in the Ring Eliminator Series next weekend. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Former Rotorua Boys' High School student Israel "The Style Bender" Adesanya will compete in the up-coming King in the Ring Eliminator Series.

The high-profile kickboxing event is an eight-man, last-man standing tournament in Auckland.

Adesanya, 25, will compete in the cruiserweight division at ASB Stadium next Saturday.

Northern Advocate reporter Hannah Norton put some questions to Adesanya as he prepared for the tournament:

- Have you fought an eight-man contender tournament before?

Yup, in 2010 and I took it out. In an eight-man you just have to take it one fight at a time and keep your mind super strong.

- What is your strategy, and how are you feeling going into this tournament?

I feel awesome, I've had my mind on this since April. I've jumped a few levels up on my training. My strategy is to whoop any man that stands in front of me that night ... pretty basic.

- Do you know much about the other contenders?

I've trained with one, I've fought another and I'm friendly with most of them. I'd fight any of them. But the second best in the line-up would have to be ... dunno, maybe TY [Williams]. But they are all dangerous dudes.

- What do you consider your strength - boxing or kicking?

Everything, but my best strength is my mind. These dudes don't think like me so they can't move like me.

- How do you like to spend your day on fight day?

Get bald, and just relax and do whatevs.

- What motivates you to get into the ring and who are your biggest supporters?

My biggest supporters are my family and training partners. I'm motivated by the challenge, conquering my fears on a big stage on live TV.

- The King in the Ring Eliminator Series will be held at ASB Stadium in Auckland on Saturday, August 30. Tickets can be purchased at www.iticket.co.nz. Adesanya is the WKBF New Zealand Cruiserweight champion, WKBF New Zealand Light-Heavyweight champion and the IKBF New Zealand Super 8 champion. He is based in Auckland.