K-1 Aerts: This is the year I win my fourth championship!

 

The fighter. The father. The legend. The man. Here is Peter Aerts hot off his win against Ewerton Teixeira, the Kyokushin world champion.

Still fighting at forty, the Dutch Lumberjack enters his 17th Final! He's not had an easy year with a defeat against Kyotaro in a heavyweight match. Now he's up against Mighty Mo who's looking to make his mark in his first Final match. Who has the most to win and the most to lose?

The Final 16 in Korea

-- How was yesterday's match?
Aerts: It was a good fight. Both my partner and I fought well. I thought I had won by the 3rd round, but it went into the extra round. My opponent took my attacks well.

-- How was it fighting the Kyokushin world champion?
Aerts: At the press conference I said I would teach him a thing or two about kickboxing, but he's a top fighter. A strong opponent. He's well-rounded and a strong-hearted fighter. It showed in the fight.

-- Since you were KOed by Kyotaro earlier this year, there was some worry.
Aerts: I know why I lost. I concentrated too much on losing weight and couldn't focus on the fight. I was relaxed this time and there was no problem.

-- Why did you go for the title and lose all that weight?
Aerts: Now I see I shouldn't have. If I drop weight, I lose speed and power.

-- You wanted the belt that badly?
Aerts: Yes. I wanted to be world champion.

-- But you were already aiming for the WGP?
Aerts: It's better to have lots of belts!

-- So far we've never had a 40 year-old champion.
Aerts: There's not much difference! Mo is 39 and it won't affect the fight.

-- You've won every Final 16 except last year. What's the secret to winning?
Aerts: To have a strong heart and to love K-1. It's easy to become champion once. But I like exciting matches and I can't live without the sport.

-- Do you think the younger fighters are lacking in that respect?
Aerts: When we started, there wasn't a big event like this and there weren't as many fans. But now K-1 is huge and their motivation to fight in K-1is very high.

It's the perfect chance

-- You had the third choice in the lottery. Why did you choose the blue
corner of the first match?
Aerts: The blue corner fighter comes in first and has time to heat up in the ring.

-- You also could have fought in the 4th match against Ghita or Saki?
Aerts: It's better to have time to rest between fights. You can recover and prepare. At the last tournament I only had 10 minutes between fights. It was hard.

-- What did you think when Mo was chosen as your opponent?
Aerts: I was happy. Mo doesn't throw small attacks, he throws big ones. It might end in an instant, but I can save my strength when I win.

-- If you could have chosen, who would you choose?
Aerts: Kyotaro. I haven't forgotten him.

-- Your impression of Mo?
Aerts: He has a powerful punch and his fights end quickly.

-- He said you were an old man.
Aerts: So is he!

-- Do you think you're old?
Aerts: Not at all! I'm much more motivated! I have kids and responsibilities. I'm more serious about life now. Not like when I was young and wild and with no plans.

-- Your kid hasn't seen you with a belt yet.
Aerts: No. Not yet. But soon. This could be my last chance.

-- A last message for the fans.
Aerts: I'll throw all my power into the Final. It'll be a great fight so enjoy!