chosin
08-12-2004, 09:01 AM
by Mike Sloan-Sherdog.com
LAS VEGAS, Aug. 7 -- According to highly-respected fight journalist Dave Cater, Ray Sefo was at one point a -1000 favorite in the Bellagio Sportsbook for his fight versus Marvin Eastman. By fight time, he was dropped down to "only" -600, and anybody who laid down the moolah on Eastman in the moments leading up to the contest did the right thing -- regardless of an Eastman win or loss.
Had I known Eastman was that big of an underdog entering the battle before I made my way into the arena, I would have laid down about $20 on the "Beast Man." For clerical purposes, it has to be noted that Eastman was originally scheduled to participate in the "Battle at Bellagio III" tournament, but after Sefo's original opponent had to pull out, Eastman was ripped from the tourney and tossed into the ring against one of the most respected fighters in K-1 history. The time was now for Eastman to make a real name for himself and a huge upset over the likes of Sefo would certainly have catapulted him into the upper echelon of the K-1 crop.
Sefo's younger brother, Rony, had lost a decision to Jorgen Kruth earlier in the night in the tournament and Sefo was determined to prevent the family from going winless. The rugged New Zealander was ready to go entering the contest, walking down to the ring cool and collected. Sefo's vast experience in major bouts was to be the biggest advantage over the shorter Eastman, but all in attendance expected Eastman to give Sefo all he could handle once the bell sounded to begin the bout.
"Sugarfoot" Sefo proved once again that he is one of the best fighters in K-1 today as he stopped Eastman in the first round. Eastman was a tad over-anxious in the first minute or so of the contest and by the time he was able to find his groove, Sefo was already on his way to a TKO victory. A short overhand right from Sefo slightly buckled Eastman's knees early on and a few moments later Sefo grazed his foe with a swooping left high kick. One of Sefo's toenails must have scratched Eastman because he quickly turned into the ropes, cupping his left eye. The ringside physician took a quick look at the cut and noted that Eastman could continue. However, that's when things turned ugly.
When the fight resumed, Eastman reached out to touch gloves with Sefo, but Sefo basically sucker punched him with a right cross. Eastman slumped into the ropes, but before Sefo could land another damaging blow, referee Jon Schorle was already on his way to stop the contest. Sefo was able to land another moderately telling blow by the time Schorle jumped in, motioning an end to the contest. The crowd booed his decision and Eastman was livid. The stoppage was, in my opinion, premature, as Eastman wasn't exactly out on his feet. The official time of the stoppage came at just 1:32 of the first round, right when the action was starting to heat up.
Eastman protested Schorle's choice, batted his gloves in the air in anger and glared at Sefo and his corner. Sefo, of course, simply grinned at Eastman and egged him on, motioning his gloves to say, "Come on, sucka! We can do it again!" Eastman walked towards Sefo and his cornermen and that's when all hell broke loose.
Eastman charged at Sefo, who in turn dropped "The Beast Man" with a few shots to the head. All members of both corners, the officials and some security guards quickly jumped in, but before they could actually stop the fracas, Eastman was already back in the chest of Sefo. One of Sefo's teammates shoved Eastman down and began unloading punches on him, but security quickly broke it up before serious punishment was inflicted. After about 45 or so seconds, the senseless melee had ceased and Sefo exited the arena to a chorus of boos.
The post-fight antics from both parties were a disgrace to the sport of kickboxing and it's likely that Eastman and probably Sefo will be fined for their actions. Though the crowd fully backed Eastman, a Las Vegas native, and most agree that he was both sucker punched by Sefo and shafted by Schorle, his temper tantrum was inexcusable. He is an officer of the law and since the fight had ended, it could be deemed assault and battery against Eastman.
Stay tuned for Eastman's exclusive post-fight interview with Sherdog.com.
LAS VEGAS, Aug. 7 -- According to highly-respected fight journalist Dave Cater, Ray Sefo was at one point a -1000 favorite in the Bellagio Sportsbook for his fight versus Marvin Eastman. By fight time, he was dropped down to "only" -600, and anybody who laid down the moolah on Eastman in the moments leading up to the contest did the right thing -- regardless of an Eastman win or loss.
Had I known Eastman was that big of an underdog entering the battle before I made my way into the arena, I would have laid down about $20 on the "Beast Man." For clerical purposes, it has to be noted that Eastman was originally scheduled to participate in the "Battle at Bellagio III" tournament, but after Sefo's original opponent had to pull out, Eastman was ripped from the tourney and tossed into the ring against one of the most respected fighters in K-1 history. The time was now for Eastman to make a real name for himself and a huge upset over the likes of Sefo would certainly have catapulted him into the upper echelon of the K-1 crop.
Sefo's younger brother, Rony, had lost a decision to Jorgen Kruth earlier in the night in the tournament and Sefo was determined to prevent the family from going winless. The rugged New Zealander was ready to go entering the contest, walking down to the ring cool and collected. Sefo's vast experience in major bouts was to be the biggest advantage over the shorter Eastman, but all in attendance expected Eastman to give Sefo all he could handle once the bell sounded to begin the bout.
"Sugarfoot" Sefo proved once again that he is one of the best fighters in K-1 today as he stopped Eastman in the first round. Eastman was a tad over-anxious in the first minute or so of the contest and by the time he was able to find his groove, Sefo was already on his way to a TKO victory. A short overhand right from Sefo slightly buckled Eastman's knees early on and a few moments later Sefo grazed his foe with a swooping left high kick. One of Sefo's toenails must have scratched Eastman because he quickly turned into the ropes, cupping his left eye. The ringside physician took a quick look at the cut and noted that Eastman could continue. However, that's when things turned ugly.
When the fight resumed, Eastman reached out to touch gloves with Sefo, but Sefo basically sucker punched him with a right cross. Eastman slumped into the ropes, but before Sefo could land another damaging blow, referee Jon Schorle was already on his way to stop the contest. Sefo was able to land another moderately telling blow by the time Schorle jumped in, motioning an end to the contest. The crowd booed his decision and Eastman was livid. The stoppage was, in my opinion, premature, as Eastman wasn't exactly out on his feet. The official time of the stoppage came at just 1:32 of the first round, right when the action was starting to heat up.
Eastman protested Schorle's choice, batted his gloves in the air in anger and glared at Sefo and his corner. Sefo, of course, simply grinned at Eastman and egged him on, motioning his gloves to say, "Come on, sucka! We can do it again!" Eastman walked towards Sefo and his cornermen and that's when all hell broke loose.
Eastman charged at Sefo, who in turn dropped "The Beast Man" with a few shots to the head. All members of both corners, the officials and some security guards quickly jumped in, but before they could actually stop the fracas, Eastman was already back in the chest of Sefo. One of Sefo's teammates shoved Eastman down and began unloading punches on him, but security quickly broke it up before serious punishment was inflicted. After about 45 or so seconds, the senseless melee had ceased and Sefo exited the arena to a chorus of boos.
The post-fight antics from both parties were a disgrace to the sport of kickboxing and it's likely that Eastman and probably Sefo will be fined for their actions. Though the crowd fully backed Eastman, a Las Vegas native, and most agree that he was both sucker punched by Sefo and shafted by Schorle, his temper tantrum was inexcusable. He is an officer of the law and since the fight had ended, it could be deemed assault and battery against Eastman.
Stay tuned for Eastman's exclusive post-fight interview with Sherdog.com.