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GLORY 19, GLORY Toronto
Photo: James Law/GLORY Sports International

Current 77kg champion ‘Bazooka Joe’ Valtellini gave his thoughts on the GLORY 19 welterweight tournament after it was announced that it would take place on December 19 in a location and venue still to be announced: “I’d obviously rather be defending the title but GLORY has to put together an amazing contender tourney and I can’t wait to face the winner. It’s good to see that we the best and most exciting fighters in the division. I’ve always said I want to defend my title against the best.

#1 Neiky Holzken – A true stable figure of GLORY, the Dutch fighter has competed in the promotion since its inception, and is considered by many the best pound-for-pound kickboxer on the planet. The winner of the GLORY 13: Tokyo welterweight tournament, Holzken was scheduled to face Marc de Bonte at GLORY 14 for the inaugural welterweight title, however a shoulder injury from a car crash saw the fight pushed to GLORY 18. Holzken was forced to withdraw, sill citing problems with his shoulder, and was replaced by Karapet Karapetyan. With wins over the current champion Valtellini and Artur Kyshenko, the Dutchman goes into the tournament as the heavy favourite.

“Nieky I think is the betting favourite here to go through. Would be great for him to win as we have unfinished business and I think as a champion I need to face him again. I’m a different fighter then I was a year ago when we put on the fight of the year in Japan.  I look forward for the opportunity to face off with Nieky now.”

#2 Artur Kyshenko – The 27 year-old Ukrainian fighter is 1-1 in the promotion, with a win over Kenmun at GLORY 13, but losing to Karapetyan in Zagreb. Now training out of Mike’s Gym, Kyshenko; who has more than a 52% knockout ratio, is one of the more durable fighters in the tournament brackets, however his unpredictable style of fighting; sometimes focusing on technique, other times looking for a storming knockout, could hurt on help his chances at GLORY 19.

“Kyshenko didn’t have a great last fight in Glory but he is dangerous. He has beaten Nieky and is a name that I would also like to go up against in the future.”

#6 Jonatan Oliveira – Described as the ‘sleeper’ of the tournament, the Brazilian comes into the tournament with two straight GLORY decision wins over Nicola Gallo and Atakan Arslan but holds a 55% and rising knockout ratio in his professional kickboxing career.

“Oliveira is, I think, the sleeper of the tourney. You haven’t heard a lot about him but watch out because he’s dangerous and if you aren’t prepared then he will surprise you.”

#7 Raymond Daniels – Despite being the lowest ranked fighter in the tournament, Daniels is arguably the most exciting prospect come December 19. With his karate background ‘The Real Deal’ has wowed kickboxing fans with his spectacular style, recording two special wins; a right AND left spinning heel kick knockout, over Brian Foster and Francois Ambang.

“Daniels is a guy I am very familiar with having beaten him last year. He’s a guy that comes at you from different angles so you can’t let your guard down.”

Valtellini won the welterweight title at GLOY 17 against de Bonte. In a close encounter, the judges awarded the Canadian the unanimous decision win, and he now looks forward to defending his belt against the division’s toughest.

“Anything can happen in GLORY and I am excited to get a chance to defend my belt against any one of these competitors as they are all worthy challengers.  I’ve been working hard and growing as a fighter. I’ve added and developed my game.

“I’m not satisfied with just winning the title, I must always grow and develop and my goal is to be the greatest GLORY champion ever. To do that I will always defend against the best, so good luck to the competitors but this belt is staying right where it is for a long time!”

GLORY 19 – December 19th will be live on Spike TV and BT Sports in the UK.

Photo – Joseph Valtellini – Credit GLORY Sports International