KO World Series has signed several super stars for the upcoming 2008 KO World Series. The Fairtex duo of Yodsaenklai and Naruepol along with Australian super-champ John Wayne Parr (JWP) are three key Middleweight fighters, spread over various tournaments throughout the 2008 calendar. What's more Nathan "Carnage" Corbett, Tyrone Spong and Dewey Cooper are the 3 key figures in the Cruiserweight division. The Heavyweights are headlined by 3 big names that need no introduction. Headlining the battle of the big boys is none other than Belarusian superstar Alexie “The Red Scorpion” Ignashov. Other key heavies are rising French star Patrice Quateron and the big Russian bear, Alexander “The Great” Ustinov. All of who are truly “A league of extraordinary gentlemen”.

This suggests one thing, that fighters of the caliber mentioned are prepared to step in the ring with KO World Series. What's more John Wayne Parr, who was on the K-1 max circuit a while back, will now have the opportunity to have a crack at some of the best in the business. The key word here is opportunity, something which some of these fighters have probably not received for a while, due to ongoing politics with K-1.

Whilst Yodsanklai and John Wayne Parr have stamped their mark on the Middleweight ranks as finalists in next years Contender Asia, fighters form all around the globe have signed up to the newly formed organization who’s motto is “The Next Generation in Fighting Entertainment” with a no politics policy. “Every fighters dream is to be the best in the world and with the line up scheduled along with a unique honorable system these great fighters now have that opportunity to really stake their place in history” says KO World Series CEO Dixon McIver.

JWP and Dewey Cooper are said to be on the Las Vegas card, with Yodsanklai, Spong and Ignashov appearing in Auckland come February 9th. Naruepol nicknamed "Mr. GQ" is scheduled for Macau, along with Quateron whilst Corbett and Ustinov is still undecided wether they will compete in the Europe or Las Vegas tournament. Ustionov’s placement depends allot on his boxing schedule as the newly signed edition to the Klitchko camp. The biggest draw card on the US stop will be the hip-hop rapping Dewey "The Black" Cobra Cooper. He went on record to say "You know man, I will fight anytime, any where and happy to be involved in the series!" The nature of these athletes is true combative warriors with McIver claiming that he wants to put the fighting back into the world of stand up Martial Arts. Unfortunately K-1 forgot that and at the end of the day that’s what the fans want to see. Its all good and well having the complete package in fact it’s a bonus but if you don’t have consistent fighting ability it’s only a matter of time before the fans see through the freak show. With UFC leading the MMA sector and many more following, KO World Series has looked at what they consider public demand in the stand up department. What’s more KO World Series Promoter Dixon McIver looks to do the opposite as far as fighter contracts are concerned, allowing them to be free agents. His opinion is that fighters should be free to fight where they want and when they want because it’s up to them to increase their profile and value based on their performance. McIver says “I think that contracts are a great security measure for a fighter and his future but as a promoter it means that we use them as much as possible to get our monies worth which in turn becomes a repetitive process to the fans not to mention neglecting the new rising stars, all it takes is opportunity and public demand can help us determine who’s hot and who’s not”.

Yeti like attractions and freak shows aside, the line up seems to be filling its spaces with genuine fighters and ring technicians. Frenchman Gregory Tony, "Powerhouse" Andrew Peck, Xhavit Bajrami and the Croatian young gun Stipan Radic, to name a few are class acts who can put on a show. Gentlemanly intentions, followed by gentlemanly fighting, honoured by a gentleman's contract by McIver’s unique system over 3 different weight divisions is what gives this league a point of difference,

As it stands, KO World Series seems to have attracted a fine crop of warriors who are gentleman both in and out of the ring. Just like in the movie "A league of extraordinary gentleman", where the great Nautilus navigates in search of new adventures led by Captain Nemo! In this story things look to be similar, but with this vessel the navigator is Dixon McIver.

Other breaking news is apart from the proposed tournaments each event excluding Auckland shall have a minimum of 2 WBC Muay Thai Title bouts.

KO World Series will screen live worldwide on MCNsports.com with other global broadcasters to be announced.

For more information visit www.KO-worldseries.com 

Email: [email protected]

Fighters from left to right: John Wayne Parr, Yodsanklai Fairtex, Alexie Ignashov, Tyrone Spong, Dewey Cooper, Naruepol Fairtex, Nathan Corbett, Alexander Ustinov, Patrice Quateron.