http://www**k-1**co**jp/k-1gp/top886**htm
:confused05:
The Poll is just a bit of a joke, I don't think Teixeira is too popular around these here parts**
I think Zimmerman will win, he seems more natural**
raise01:Ewerton Teixeira became an instant sensation in Japan when he beat veteran fighter Musashi** The Kyokushin World Champion will face Errol Zimmerman at FieLDS K-1 World GP 2008 Final, and predicts he will become the champion this year**
I was off my guard against Musashi
-- You beat Musashi at WGP Final 16**
Teixeira : Yes, I think it was a great fight, but******
-- Can you reflect on the fight?
Teixeira : My guard was lower than it was supposed to be during the third round** That's something I need to work on**
-- It looked like your momentum slowed in the middle of the fight**
Teixeira : It's true, I lost my stamina a little bit in the middle of the fight**
-- Were you tired?
Teixeira : I didn't have any major damage nor problems** As the fight went on, I realized that I was leading, and got carried away** Such carelessness could be one of the reasons why I ran out of stamina**
-- Before fighting Musashi, you promised to win by KO, but it turned out to be by decision** Do you think it was because of your carelessness?
Teixeira : I don't think so** Of course, the KO is an ideal victory for any fighter** However, I was confident that I could defeat Musashi even by decision** I believe winning by decision is by no means bad or wrong** I rather think that it explains my ability to predict or read how my match develops**
I am in a similar situation as Errol Zimmerman
-- You chose Errol Zimmerman at the drawing**
Teixeira : If I had chosen an empty spot, I could have faced Peter Aerts or Badr Hari** They are very experienced fighters**
-- Did you want to avoid fighting against them?
Teixeira : I thought they would be too tough for me at this point**
-- What made you choose Zimmerman in particular?
Teixeira : He does not have much experience fighting in the K-1 ring** His circumstances are similar to mine**
-- You believe you have a better chance of winning if your opponent has similar experience to you?
Teixeira : Yes, I see the chance to win against Zimmerman** Please don't think I underestimate him** There's no doubt he is a dangerous fighter, but in comparison to the others, I see a higher chance to move into to the second round by fighting Zimmerman**
-- If you were in a situation to be able to choose any of the seven fighters, whom do you think you would have chosen**
Teixeira : I am ready to fight any time with anybody** Yet, there was no special person I wanted to choose this time**
I believe in myself, I believe I can become champion
-- Now that all the matchups have been confirmed can you tell us how confident you are about winning the championship?
Teixeira : The only thing I should do is train hard to improve my ability to fight well with the other best-eight fighters**
-- So one step at a time then**
Teixeira : Yes (laughs) but I believe in myself, already at this point I believe I can become the champion
-- You are cocky, though cautious** If you do not KO your opponent, it will be tough on you physically at the Final** Finishing with decisions in a tournament format demands great stamina**
Teixeira : Don't worry about that** I've already experienced both one match and tournament styles in K-1**
-- So you see no problem with fighting in the tournament format?
Teixeira : No, I have no problem with that** I won the Japan GP, I know how to prepare for the Final tournament**
-- Surely you see a difference in the competitive level between the Japan and World GP?
Teixeira : Sure, they must be very different** Yet, I think a fighter should believe in their own victory, and not lose their self confidence at any time**
-- You believe that you can win if you have enough confidence?
Teixeira : I don't want to lose to anybody! My training environment is great** I believe in my victory, and, I trust myself at the same time** I will do my best to be a champion at the Final by keeping my confidence high!
:confused05:
The Poll is just a bit of a joke, I don't think Teixeira is too popular around these here parts**
I think Zimmerman will win, he seems more natural**