Ibrahim El Boustati challenges the 90kg Enfusion world champion, Andrew Tate on December 3 in The Hague, after recently defeating GLORY Kickboxing veteran Filip Verlinden.
Boustati remains undefeated after 44 fights and is the current 85kg Enfusion world champion. Not only was he calmly confident of defeating Tate, but El Boustati believes he would also better GLORY Middleweight champion Jason Wilnis.
Speaking to Anoop Hothi on the K1ANOOP podcast, El Boustati said, GLORY ‘really underestimate’ him and suggested that was the most probable reason why GLORY have never approached him in the past, despite having the longest winning streak in world kickboxing.
When asked if he would continue fighting at 85kg after his December showdown with Andrew Tate, ‘The Beast’ responded:
“I’m still active in the 85 kg division. I’m not done there yet. There are still names there on my list that I want to fight. Like the Glory fighters in the middleweight: [Jason] Wilnis, [Simon] Marcus, [Dustin] Jacoby. A lot of them.”
El Boustati is fully aware of other young potential middleweight contenders across the globe such as Israel Adesanya and new GLORY signee, Yousri Belgaroui – both of whom had recently fought each other in China with Adesanya securing the win by decision. Both fighters are set to feature in opposite semi-finals at the upcoming 4-man tournament on, October 21 at GLORY 34.
Standing at 6ft 1” in height, El Boustati has the physical characteristics of a ‘natural’ Middleweight, unlike, much taller and longer limbed middleweights. For example, It’s Showtime and GLORY veteran, Filip Verlinden (6ft 3” tall) who, El Boustati defeated by decision at Enfusion Live 41.
“The Beast” gave an insight into his tactical approach to dealing with the likes of Verlinden and other tall kickboxers, both in the ring and when sparring:
“I’m always the shorter one. I don’t let them get into the fight because they’re going to fight at distance with me. So, I’m always the one making the fight, pushing forward and get them into the ropes.”
Andrew Tate (6ft 4”) is well known for being able to utilise his range; with his long straight punches and lead kicks, and frustrate his past opponents, especially those who, are forward moving, pressure fighters. “Cobra Tate” relishes the opportunity to fight such opponents and is very confident of knocking out pressure fighters in the ring.
December will be one of the most anticipated months ever for kickboxing fans in the modern era of the sport. One of the main reason being, the technical kickboxing strategies that both Tate and El Boustati will deploy in the ring against each other.
One error in judgement or lapse in concentration could have disastrous consequences for either fighter in The Hague on December 3.
