-- Please tell me how you felt about being Musashi’s opponent for his retirement fight at the WGP FINAL 16.
LeBanner: I couldn't be aggressive enough as I knew that Musashi was retiring. This was due to the fact that I have a lot of respect for him as a fighter. Of course it wasn't a bad match. It was exciting, and well balanced. We both put on a pretty good performance.
-- How did you feel about Musashi coming in to exchange punches, when he usually opts to strike and move?
LeBanner: He did, didn't he? I suppose he did it because he really wanted to win. I think he wanted to reach the top of the tournament before retiring. I really felt his spirit during the bout. I like him, and he has real Bushido spirit. He looked great.
-- We all think very highly of you for going toe to toe with Musashi during the fight.
LeBanner: I'm glad to hear that. To show him respect means that the fight would have to be a very tough one. That was my duty, and I knew it'd be a good fight by pushing things this way. It was difficult for me to concentrate on the fight itself, because I like both Japan and Musashi so much. But he put up a strong fight. You’d really understand this know it if you saw my body. I've got quite a bit of damage. I can't understand why he retired. In the locker room after the match, I asked him, "Why are you retiring?” His punches were much stronger than Teixeira's. Look at this damage! (removes his T-shirt and shows the bruising of his upper body) Why the hell is he retiring?
-- What did you talk about when you hugged in the ring?
LeBanner: I told him that I don't understand why he is retiring. If he puts his mind to it and fights like he did in Korea, he would beat Alistair. He started about the same time as me, and he has beaten Peter and had great matches with Remy too. Why is he quitting? I just can't figure it out. Anyway I just like his Bushido spirit. He was a real fighter.
I’ll fight Badr if given the chance
-- You drew a ball number 5 and chose the third match.
LeBanner: There's no particular reason. I chose it because a spot remained free there.
-- As a result, you and Badr are in different brackets of the tournament. I suppose a lot of fans would have loved to see a fight between you and Badr in the semi finals.
LeBanner: Of course I will face off against Badr if given a chance. He is fresh blood in K-1. I know he wants to beat me. I also know that I'm 36 years old, and still have to beat new generation fighters. If I fight with him, I will practice in Algeria, and we will make it a "Morocco vs. Algeria" match. (smiles)
-- Where are you practicing?
LeBanner: Quebec, in Canada. I’m practicing with the mixed martial artist, Georges St.Pierre. He takes care of me. That's why I used the Quebec state flag for my last match instead of the French flag.
-- What did you think when Semmy stood next to you at the draw?
LeBanner: I can do something this time. Thomas Harinck asked me to come to Holland to train. He knows how to beat Semmy, so I'm going there to learn. I'm planning to go there after I have a boxing match on November 13th. I'll train to face Schilt then.
-- The bracket you are in makes it a very tough road to the Champion’s belt.
LeBanner: It is tough. It's going to be a hard night. I can taste the pain already.
I think retirement is not so far away.
-- At the same time, your fans are expecting you to make it this year.
LeBanner: I have to do it. That's why I'm going to go to Holland learn how to fight Semmy. I respect him as a fighter, but this time he will lose. I am thinking this will be my final time in K-1. I have absolutely nothing to lose, so the victory will be mine.
-- Your last K-1?!
LeBanner: Yes.
-- What happens afterwards?
LeBanner: My retirement will come soon, but I will continue to fight. I don't know when I’ll retire, but I became interested in mixed martial arts after practicing in Quebec. I don’t think should give it away yet, so I really need to think about everything carefully.
-- Could you tell me your feelings when you bowed to Musashi after you fought each other?
LeBanner: It was his last match. His wonderful career as a fighter, his attitude towards leaving everything in the ring... that's what I respected him about. Sometimes a fight is not only about a victory or a loss. He forged ahead, even when he was unsatisfied with the outcome of things more than I have been able to. That is why I showed my respect to him in such a way.
-- After the match with Gary Goodridge, you carried him around the ring on your shoulders after stopping him with low kicks. What motivates such actions?
LeBanner: Naturally, I respect my opponent, and care about him from the heart. That's why I'm suited to acting as well. Not the literal meaning of acting, but I can take the feelings from my heart and put them into action. I did it because I have respect for people. If you have love, you can show it. That’s what I did.
-- Will you be okay after having a boxing match just before the finals?
LeBanner: Isn’t it about 2 weeks before the match? That's just a warm-up. (grins)
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well the Greatest will go one by one in the near future (Aerts, JLB, Schilt etc)........just wonder how GP would look like lets say 3 years from now....i know that there is Hari, Zimmerman, Karaev and others out there but i will definitively miss this golden K-1 times (like from 1998-2005)
