Masato's new rival

[GarouMAX]

According to PuroresuPower, Yoshihiro Sato wants to become Masato's new rival. I wonder though, just who is Masato's rival at the moment? Maybe Buakaw, but I just wish the two would fight already and get the matter over with. There probably isn't much to discuss here, but what are your thoughts anyway?

[El Presidente]

Kraus and Masato have already established a legitmate rivalry. Kinda like Bernardo-Aerts, Aerts-Hug, Aerts-Hoost, Hug-Hoost, LeBanner-Hunt

No other pair in MAX have faced off as many times (except for JWP-Choppa)

[GarouMAX]

True, but I wouldn't call them rivals anymore, Masato has already seen to that. I honestly think a legit sort of rivalry could develop and flourish between Sato and Masato. It could be similar to the old Masato/Kohi rivalry, in which the two fighters vied for the title of Japan's strongest.

[Sudoraba]

True, but I wouldn't call them rivals anymore, Masato has already seen to that. I honestly think a legit sort of rivalry could develop and flourish between Sato and Masato. It could be similar to the old Masato/Kohi rivalry, in which the two fighters vied for the title of Japan's strongest.

rivalries aren't a case of who wins more, otherwise you can say that Lebanner and Hunt isn't one since Lebanner's record was 3 wins to Hunt's 1. By contrast Kraus and Masato seems fairly even (2-1-1). Regardless a rivalry is more about a series of exciting matchups between two people that always promises a great fight. Kraus vs Masato has always been insanely technical and competitive and so wins that bill.

[Daisukey]

souwer vs kraus needs to happen... revenge...

[HolyRamenEmpire]

Sato has little charisma imo... I don't see a good rivalry establishing... Even if Sato fights a close match with Masato, or beats him dominantly, I don't see a rivalry... He's making wishful declarations for his career. The question is, who'll eventually replace Masato as the K1 centerfold Japanese star.

[El Presidente]

Masato-KID could be a better rivalry.

KID-Genki is already heading that way...

[HolyRamenEmpire]

Masato-Kid can work if Kid gets a faster kickboxing game. Kid-Genki can work if Genki decides to learn some orthodox kickboxing and maybe do a little more muscle training to work on his power.

Perhaps more match-up between teams and nations would be a little spicer. Killer Beez vs... Japan vs Thailand... More of that...

Masato is in a problematic situation... He needs to beat or do well against Souwer and Buakow in order to remain the top dog of K1 Max.

And that would only give K1 an extra year or two to find his replacement..

[GarouMAX]

How is Masato-KID a potential rivalry? The two are nowhere near each other skill wise. I think a rivalry can only develop when two people push each other to work harder and to their limits. That was why Masato and Kraus had a GREAT rivalry going on. Masato lost to Kraus, and that pushed Masato to improve his boxing skill to such a high level.

[Kobayashi]

How is Masato-KID a potential rivalry? The two are nowhere near each other skill wise. I think a rivalry can only develop when two people push each other to work harder and to their limits. That was why Masato and Kraus had a GREAT rivalry going on. Masato lost to Kraus, and that pushed Masato to improve his boxing skill to such a high level.

Agreed... right now I'd say his rival is Buakaw--although they have nothing but respect for each other, whereas Masato and Kraus hate each other. Souwer X Masato would be very good, I think.

[Razor Bump]

Since they never want Masato to fight anyone who is Japanese I think this would be an excellent fight. Yoshi is coming into his own as of late and he will have a good chance in the Max tournament..... I'm excited for him.

[Sudoraba]

How is Masato-KID a potential rivalry? The two are nowhere near each other skill wise. I think a rivalry can only develop when two people push each other to work harder and to their limits. That was why Masato and Kraus had a GREAT rivalry going on. Masato lost to Kraus, and that pushed Masato to improve his boxing skill to such a high level.

Rivalries aren't really neccessarily about skill level, otherwise you can just count people in the rankings. Masato and KID essentially was a popularity contest. Rivalries as we know them are more along the lines of marketing/promotional angles used by K-1. Things are exagerrated etc, etc. For example I doubt that Masato and Kraus hate each other, trash talk and the like are usually only for hype purposes.

Agreed... right now I'd say his rival is Buakaw--although they have nothing but respect for each other, whereas Masato and Kraus hate each other. Souwer X Masato would be very good, I think.

From that angle though, Souwer and Masato would make a good rivalry. Souwer and Kraus I don't think so, because Souwer and Kraus I heard hated being matched up in 2003, and I doubt would like it happenning again. Souwer is however legitimately calling out Masato.

[WOLVES AT THE DOOR]

Souwer vs Masato is a good rivalry.

[Kobayashi]

Rivalries aren't really neccessarily about skill level, otherwise you can just count people in the rankings. Masato and KID essentially was a popularity contest. Rivalries as we know them are more along the lines of marketing/promotional angles used by K-1. Things are exagerrated etc, etc. For example I doubt that Masato and Kraus hate each other, trash talk and the like are usually only for hype purposes.



From that angle though, Souwer and Masato would make a good rivalry. Souwer and Kraus I don't think so, because Souwer and Kraus I heard hated being matched up in 2003, and I doubt would like it happenning again. Souwer is however legitimately calling out Masato.

Whether Masato and Albert's hate is genuine is pretty irrelevant but it definitely seemed genuine from what I could see. Apparently after their first fight, they never spoke another word to each other, their 2003 staredown was intense also (at least from Masato's end). Although Masato went to pay his respects to Albert in the 2004 match, Albert gave him the cold shoulder and had a sulk for quite a while after that (despite losing as clearly and cleanly as he did, he couldn't accept that he lost to Masato again). Despite all this, their respect for each others' skills was pretty clear and I think that, as well as the fact that they are both pretty boys from different ends of the world made for a great rivalry. Unless Kraus can equalize with Masato, which I doubt very much, I consider their rivalry well and truly over. A rivalry, at least by my definition needs to be competitive (to the extent that they trade wins with each other), and I'm sure Masato feels he's well above Kraus by now. I certainly don't see Masato losing to Kraus again. I know you'll disagree, but only time will prove one of us wrong.

[Sudoraba]

Kraus has a win over Buakaw and Souwer and Masato doesn't, the rivalry is more than just individual matches if you look at it from that angle.

[( o Y o )]

Kraus has a win over Buakaw and Souwer and Masato doesn't, the rivalry is more than just individual matches if you look at it from that angle.

Thats a good point.

I guess Kraus is the only MAX fight with a win over every champion.

[ducati]

Sato doesn't have the same kind of charisma that Masato does, but I hope he goes far in the sport and doesn't change his fighting style just because Tanikawa complains.

But seriously, doesn't Sato seem like the nerdy guy who works in the computer repair department of an electronics store?

[GarouMAX]

LOL ducati, yes he sort of does =P Good points raised by everyone.

[derUbermensch]

I was just thinking of the GP finals being Masato vs Sato. IMO, and from a promotional angle, they should just market it as "pretty boy kick king who got mad hype almost immediately from the get-go" vs. "nerdy-looking, stringy guy who had to rough it his entire career". Both girls and insecure men would buy tickets, thus allow FEG to completely dominate all aspects of the kakutougi market in Japan. The End

[Kobayashi]

I guess Kraus is the only MAX fight with a win over every champion.

That certainly makes Kraus worthy of being Masato's rival. I expect Masato will accomplish this also by the end of this year, maybe even by July if the card plays out correctly. I think if Buakaw gets the opportunity to face Souwer again, he'll also accomplish this. That'd be interesting: 3/4 champions with wins over every champion. I rate Souwer's chances of accomplishing this much lower than the other 3 though, but still certainly a possibility.

[Razor Bump]

lol Pretty Boy Kick King (laughing hard)......

This could be a real event title out there. That ish is funny for real. That should be the title!