Mighty Mo takes aim at boxing!
May 16, 2006
By Karl Freitag
http://www.fightnews.com/freitag226.htm
Photo: Warriors Boxing
Former K-1 kickboxing superstar Siala "Mighty Mo" Siliga, will be making his "official" professional boxing debut in a 6 rounder against heavyweight Lamar Stephens (6-2-1) Thursday night on the big 'Tribal Pride' which is headlined by the Interim IBF Lightweight Championship bout between Ricky Quiles (39-6-3, 8 KOs) and Julio Diaz (32-3, 24 KOs).
The reason we say "official" is that the 265lb Siliga enters with the unique distinction of having recently knocked out a former world heavyweight champion. Siliga dropped former IBF titleholder Francois Botha three times in a K-1 match that lasted less than a round. He has also defeated unbeaten boxer Dewey Cooper (14-0-2, 9 KOs) in a K-1 ring.
So why the switch to boxing?
"From K-1 to boxing is the money situation," Siliga told Fightnews. "Since I'm going to be a fighter, I might as well maximize my skills into the boxing world where the paydays are bigger."
He doesn't see the transition to boxing to be a problem at all. "I crossed over from cage fighting and beat the "King of the Cage" champ in my debut. And then I went over to K-1 because the money was greater and dominated the two-time world champ and should have knocked him out and came out with a win to dominate in that field of fighting, and so the doors are opened for me in the boxing world and I'm going to take advantage of that.
Although he was dominant as a kickboxer, Mo stated, "Everybody who knows me in the kick-boxing world, knows that I'm not a kickboxer."
"This guys a puncher!" echoes promoter Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing. "Everybody's trying to kick him and he's knocking them out with his left and his right hand. He's a devastating puncher, he belongs in the boxing ring. He's going to be much more difficult as a boxer because that's technically what he does and now the other fighters will not be able to kick him anymore, now they will be able to punch him back and that usually means the end of the game."
At age 36, Mighty Mo doesn't plan on taking long to get to the top. "Within the next two years I hope to," he commented. "But as soon as possible really. In K-1, I went pro in boxing. I did work on the IBF ex-heavyweight champ Francois Botha, when I knocked him out on the very first round. So that's what opened the door for me in the boxing world. First chance I get, I want that title shot!"
Everyone on here that knows me...knows my distaste for MMA...but is it possible that "Mighty Mo" Siliga is the real deal & worthy of becoming a heavyweight champion? I mean...Francois Botha aint the best in the world...but he aint the worst. He can surely be labled as a fighter that was on his last ride.
Just curious...& I figured that maybe some of you MMA heads could let me know about this cat before I get excited & invest any time in something that's not worth getting my hopes up for.
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