K-1 World Max 2024 Super Bantamweight Tournament Preview
Kickboxing Fans Eagerly Await K-1 Super Bantamweight Tournament
Kickboxing enthusiasts are in for a thrilling treat as K-1 has announced the highly anticipated Super Bantamweight (55 KG) tournament, set to commence at the K-1 World Max 2024 event on July 7th. Unlike the previous Super Bantamweight tournament, this edition will feature a split schedule, with the second round scheduled for September.
Leading the impressive lineup is the divisional king, Akihiro Kaneko, a durable and powerful fighter with a steadily improving technical repertoire. In his last outing, Kaneko showcased his dominance, securing a wide decision victory over Masahiko Suzuki, during which he scored two knockdowns to avenge his previous professional defeat. Kaneko’s impressive seven-fight win streak and key victories over some of the division’s elite have propelled him into the pound-for-pound rankings for the first time in April 2024.
Kaneko’s chief rival, Masashi Kumura, is also set to participate in the tournament. The two have engaged in three fiercely contested battles, with Kaneko holding a 2:1 advantage in the series. Their last encounter in September 2023 was awarded the Beyond Kickboxing’s Fight of the Year, requiring an extension round for the judges to determine the winner.
Additionally, the tournament will feature Riamu, the current Krush 55 KG champion with two successful title defenses, and Rui Okubo, who has won two consecutive bouts since his majority decision loss to Ryunosuke Saito in June 2023.
As per K-1’s tradition, the remaining four participants in the tournament are yet to be announced, and it is expected that they will comprise non-Japanese fighters, further adding to the tournament’s international appeal.
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