Yvel-Overeem Fight Cancelled
Tim Leidecker Apr 24, 2008
Gilbert Yvel (Pictures) has injured his left calf and
will not be fighting Alistair Overeem (Pictures) on Saturday at the K-1 World
Grand Prix in Amsterdam.
"Last Thursday during a training session with ‘Cro Cop,' I suffered an injury which was diagnosed as torn muscle fiber in the hospital," Yvel explained Thursday at a news conference. "Even after two days of absolute rest and with lots of ice on the leg, I was barely able to stand on my left foot."
The 31-year-old muay Thai expert continued: "On Tuesday I saw a second specialist who told me that I would not even be able to fight with painkillers. As I am a solid 258 pounds right now, the risk was simply too high to compete because of the danger of the muscle tearing completely. This is why I will unfortunately have to disappoint you and cancel the fight."
With Yvel out, promoter Simon Rutz has less than 48 hours to find a replacement willing to take on the reigning Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem (Pictures) on short notice. Names like Sergei Kharitonov (Pictures) and Gary Goodridge (Pictures) are being mentioned, but there is nothing concrete at this time.
The show, set to take place at Amsterdam Arena, is traditionally the biggest event of the year in the Netherlands. However, the event has had to cope in recent weeks with numerous fighters being unable to compete. Among others, K-1 stars Andy Souwer (Pictures), Albert Kraus and Peter Aerts (Pictures) had to cancel their bouts.
"Last Thursday during a training session with ‘Cro Cop,' I suffered an injury which was diagnosed as torn muscle fiber in the hospital," Yvel explained Thursday at a news conference. "Even after two days of absolute rest and with lots of ice on the leg, I was barely able to stand on my left foot."
The 31-year-old muay Thai expert continued: "On Tuesday I saw a second specialist who told me that I would not even be able to fight with painkillers. As I am a solid 258 pounds right now, the risk was simply too high to compete because of the danger of the muscle tearing completely. This is why I will unfortunately have to disappoint you and cancel the fight."
With Yvel out, promoter Simon Rutz has less than 48 hours to find a replacement willing to take on the reigning Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem (Pictures) on short notice. Names like Sergei Kharitonov (Pictures) and Gary Goodridge (Pictures) are being mentioned, but there is nothing concrete at this time.
The show, set to take place at Amsterdam Arena, is traditionally the biggest event of the year in the Netherlands. However, the event has had to cope in recent weeks with numerous fighters being unable to compete. Among others, K-1 stars Andy Souwer (Pictures), Albert Kraus and Peter Aerts (Pictures) had to cancel their bouts.
Related Articles
