Dubai: Two-time French and European Muay Thai champion and current IKF Muay Thai Super Heavyweight World Champion Patrice Quarteron has promised no mercy for reigning Dubai champion Badr Hari in their Global Fighting Championship (GFC) bout next weekend.
The fourth event in the GFC series, which is presented by Golden Cage Promotion and Events in cooperation with Dubai Sports Council, involves a tournament-style knockout competition between fighters.
During GFC 3, Moroccan champion Hari claimed the overall title and a prize purse totalling nearly Dh2 million at the Dubai World Trade Centre in May.
In the next edition of the popular MMA and kick-boxing fight night from 8pm on October 16, promoter Prince Amir has promised a show to remember as he pits Hari against Quarteron at the Dubai Tennis Stadium in Al Garhoud.
Quarteron, who is trained by Alain Zankifo, has had a modest career so far. After 44 fights, he has won 38 with 32 by knockout. But the 35-year-old Frenchman is unperturbed about facing Hari.
“I want to be one of the best fighters in the world and, to be the best, one has to fight and beat the best. I have watched his [Hari] fights and he doesn’t amuse me at all. I know how to tackle him. I would recommend that Badr Hari take some time off and relax so that he can be calm when he gets punished by me next Thursday,” Quarteron told Gulf News.
“And for the spectators and fans I can promise them an ultimate show.”
Known as ‘The Dark Ronin’, Quarteron’s last fight on June 25 ended within 28 seconds after he finished off his opponent with an elbow knockout.
“Normally I take a week off after a fight, but this time I started training for Badr Hari from the next morning. I did not take a break or any vacation since that day. So you see what Badr Hari is up against this time,” he said.
“I am not scared of Badr Hari. Instead he needs to be scared as he’s got a reputation and he needs to worry about that. He’s going to get the full package from me.”
The GFC night will include a four-man knockout tournament as well as the Quateron versus Hari fight, which will be the highlight of the night.
In the four-man competition, Tai Tuivasa will take on Egyptian heavyweight Mohammad ‘Hulk’ Abdul Karim, while Esmail Lazaar will fight Melvin Manhoef, with the winners facing off to decide a champion and the winner of Dh1 million prize money.
Known as ‘The Golden boy’, Hari has had a very impressive run with 104 wins in the 116 fights, 90 by knockout. What has distinguished the 6ft 6in, 29-year-old Dutchman is his controversial attitude.
For example, in July, Hari announced via his Facebook page that he wanted to take an indefinite leave from kick-boxing in order to find himself. However, he denied ever making such a statement and disavowed his official Facebook account.
