Bid to be last man standing

CONFIDENT: Zane Hopman's strategy is to be prepared for anything.PHOTO/FILE

Gun Masterton kickboxer Zane "Hybrid" Hopman will be taking on a new challenge when he contests the King of the Ring Eliminator Series in Auckland on Saturday, August 30.

Hopman, whose winning of the heavyweight crown at the world Muay Thai championships earlier this year saw him take away the Senior Sports Personality of the Year and supreme champion trophies at the 2014 Wairarapa sports awards, will compete with seven other cruiserweights (86kg) under a last man standing tournament format.

To earn the major spoils, they will have to win three bouts on the one night by making the best of the techniques they have learned through their association with the likes of kickboxing, boxing, Muay Thai, kung fu, kyokushin karate and other martial arts.

As the billboards say: "It will be New Zealand's biggest no bull fight night. No circus acts or smack talk, Just real fighterss battling it out to be the best in the country."

Favourite for the title will be defending champion TY Williams of Porirua who came from nowhere in April last year to grab the spoils while also fronting up are Pati "The Arsenal" Afoa, Zack "Fearless" Afoa, Israel "The Style Bender" Adesanya, Slava "Scarface" Alexeichik, Andrew "Bulldog" Banham and Jamie "The Kyokushin Kid" Eades.

Northern Advocate reporter Hannah Norton put some questions to Hopman last week as he prepared to do battle:

QUESTION: Have you fought an eight-man contender style tournament before? If so, when, and how did you go? What skills do you think are more vital in an eight-man, over a regular bout?

HOPMAN: No I have not fought in eight-man style tournament over the same night before. Contested at the IFMA world champs, had three fights but over three days. I think all the skills of a regular bout are still just as essential, but on top of that the willpower and fitness to do it three times.

QUESTION: What is your strategy going into this tournament? How are you feeling about it, two weeks ahead?

HOPMAN: My strategy is be prepared for anything. I cannot control the tournament but I can control myself and what I do in my training and nutrition in the weeks leading up to the event. I feel excited to be among our country's best and to have the opportunity to show the country what I have to offer.

QUESTION: Do you know much about the other contenders? Who would you like to fight first? Who would you like to fight last? Who do you rate most in this tournament, excluding yourself?

HOPMAN: I know most of the contenders either personally or as sportspeople. I have no preference as to who I have to fight or in what order. Whatever is placed in my path I will take head on.

QUESTION: What do you consider your strength(s) going into this tournament - boxing or kicking?

HOPMAN: I'm a Muay Thai kickboxer. I"m confident with every weapon available to me.

QUESTION: How do you like to spend your day on fight day? Do you have any special traditions? If so, what are they?

HOPMAN: Fight day is good music and good food for me. Lots of naps and stretching.

QUESTION: What motivates you to get into the ring? Who are your biggest fans/supporters?

HOPMAN: My motivation is always my first love for Muay Thai. My family and community support is a huge drive also. My partner who supports my ambitions is also a huge drive.

QUESTION: Who is your favourite fighter out of all divisions in the King in the Ring fights and why?

HOPMAN: I've enjoyed watching Jordan Syme in his respective weight division. As a younger athlete with what I see as tremendous skill his fights are always class acts. Pumipi Ngaranoa is somebody I see as a force in his weight division and would love to see him fight on king in the ring.