The torch was passed in kickboxing’s heavyweight division today as Tyrone ‘King of the Ring’ Spong stopped Remy Bonjasky in the second round of the GLORY 5 LONDON main event.
An overhand right sent Bonjasky to the canvas and brought a sold-out ExCel Arena to its feet at the midway point of the second round. It was clear as soon as he was knocked down that Bonjasky would not be able to beat the count and Spong threw his arms up in triumph.
“Remy Bonjasky is a legend in the sport. It was a hard fight and I know now why he was such a dominant champion. Now I am looking forward to my next challenge, I want to build my legacy in this sport and I am ready to take on anyone in the heavyweight division,” Spong said in his dressing room afterwards.
“In two weeks there’s a fight between Gokhan Saki and Daniel Ghita at GLORY 6 in Istanbul. I want to fight both of those guys and I’m also ready to go straight in to a heavyweight title shot against Semmy Schilt. Whatever GLORY wants, I’m ready.”
Bonjasky was warmly applauded when he eventually regained his feet and addressed the crowd, telling fans he had “given everything” in his comeback. “It's hard when your 37 years old and trying to make a comeback. But all credit to Tyronem” he said.
“I don't know [what's next] yet. It's hard to make a good comeback. My comeback has been rocky. I've done my best, I've done everything, but my body says it's hard.”
It was a night of mixed fortunes for British fans, who saw Jordan Watson dominate Steve Moxon for most of their lightweight meeting but then saw Watson’s team mate, Liam Harrison of the Bad Company Gym, stopped in the first round by a Mosab Amrani body shot in what was the biggest upset of the evening.
But knockout of the night probably belonged to Bonjasky protégé Danyo Ilunga. He stopped French prospect Stephane Sussperregui in the first round by way of a jumping knee against the ropes. The knee not only dropped Sussperregui but broke his nose in the process and made a spectacular finish for Ilunga’s highlight reel.
Developmental talents Eddie Walker and Dustin Jacoby, both of whom entered GLORY via the ROAD TO GLORY USA feeder series, took on huge challenges in the form of Stephen Wakeling and Michael Duut respectively. Walker was outclassed by Wakleing before succumbing to leg kicks in the second round while Jacoby, riding a three-fight streak of KO wins into the fight, was knocked down three times in the first to lose by knockout under the ‘three downs in one round’ rule.
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