In sports all the greats have arriving moments. The one moment that in the present anyone who didn’t think someone was the real deal sits back and says to themselves “Wow, that guy is good”. It is the same moment that when you are old and complaining to your grand kids about how the athletes back in your day were much better, you use as an example to start the description of a particular athlete that you consider a great.
In basketball Michael Jordan arrived with his 63 points in game two of the opening round in the 1985-1986 playoffs against one of the best Boston Celtics teams ever assembled. It was the first time Jordan ever scored over 50 points in a game but it wasn’t the last. In football Joe Montana had his arrival in 1981 when the San Francisco 49ers met the heavily favored Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship game. Montana had already led three fourth quarter comebacks in his career, but none were of the magnitudes of the one he led against the Cowboys that year to take the 49ers to the Super Bowl.
This weekend fans of Kickboxing could potentially witness that moment of arrival for Joseph Valtellini. The man known as "Bazooka" has already made a splash on the international kickboxing circuit. Since Joining Glory in 2013 he has defeated veterans Murat Direkci and Karim Ghajji as well as Road to Glory tournament winner Francois Ambang, all by (T)KO. Valtellini will look to fight his way through a 4-man tournament at Glory 13 in Japan. If he can manage to do that, when it is over he will be at the top of the Glory welterweight mountain.
Valtellini took time out of his busy preparation schedule to answer a few questions for Muay Thai Authority, enjoy.
MTA: Huge year for you so far Joseph and next up is the Glory welterweight tournament, how are you feeling coming into this event?
Joseph: I feel amazing. I have a huge opportunity ahead of me that I've wanted for a long time. When I first started kickboxing, I always wanted to fight in Japan. It's an exciting time in my career and it's my chance to become the top welterweight in Glory and world.
MTA: You cut teeth fighting in tournaments in your amateur career but in the last few years since turning pro you have not fought in one. How do you feel about two fights in one night?
Joseph: Tournaments are difficult to train and prepare for. You have to be prepared to peak twice in one night. My coaches have prepared me mentally and physically for it. There are also many factors you can't plan for. It's important to get out of the first bout with as little injuries as possible. It also comes down to heart and how bad you want it.
MTA: Your first fight in the tournament is against Raymond Daniels. Are you familiar with him and if so what do you think?
Joseph: Before he signed with Glory I had never seen or heard of him. He is unorthodox and uses his point Karate style to his advantage. He fought on the same card as me in Chicago, so I was able to see his style and prepare for it during this camp.
MTA: A lot of people have different theories on how to fight in a tournament, some believe you come out looking to finish fast while other says you don't go all out and save your energy and try to avoid any real damage. What is your thought on how tournaments should addressed?
Joseph: I have seen many fighters look past their first fight and take it too lightly. I have also seen fighters give it their all and get injured. I believe it's important to just let the fight happen. To me it is about using the techniques my team and I have prepared, and just be myself in the ring.
MTA: You continue to impress people with every performance. We have people talk to us about fights all the time but since you started putting your stamp on Glory. You have to be the most talked about fighter, we constantly have people bring you up in conversation saying things like “You know who I like watching, that Joseph Valtellini", have you noticed the changes in popularity?
Joseph: That is amazing to hear. I’m happy to be an athlete that people are starting to follow and support. This is the most exciting sport in the world. I really want to get Glory and kickboxing to surpass the popularity of MMA in North America. Every time I’m in the ring, I give it my all, and try to make the fight as exciting as possible. I really do appreciate all the support that people have shown me from all over the world.
MTA: Are you worried about acclimating to the time differences in Japan, that maybe your body won't be used to it and it might affect you come fight time. If so do you have a plan to avoid that?
Joseph: Tokyo will be a 14 hour time difference, but I'm not too concerned about it. I will be going a few days earlier than usual. I will be landing in Tokyo Monday, so I will have lots of time to adjust.
MTA: You are normally not the type of guy to call anyone out or any such thing like that, but you told Nieky Holzken you are coming for his number one spot. What prompted that?
Joseph: I really didn’t call out Nieky directly. It was more about my motivation and drive to take over the #1 spot. I want to be the #1 Kickboxer in the world and anyone standing in the way of that is standing in the way of my dreams. Like I said in my pre fight interview, it’s nothing personal, just business.
MTA: In your ideal situation do you want to face Nieky in the tournament final or does that just not matter to you?
Joseph: My goal is to win the tournament. There is a lot on the line. The winner takes home $150,000 as well as the Glory Welterweight belt. Whether I fight Nieky in the finals or not, I’m sure we will meet down the road.
In basketball Michael Jordan arrived with his 63 points in game two of the opening round in the 1985-1986 playoffs against one of the best Boston Celtics teams ever assembled. It was the first time Jordan ever scored over 50 points in a game but it wasn’t the last. In football Joe Montana had his arrival in 1981 when the San Francisco 49ers met the heavily favored Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship game. Montana had already led three fourth quarter comebacks in his career, but none were of the magnitudes of the one he led against the Cowboys that year to take the 49ers to the Super Bowl.
This weekend fans of Kickboxing could potentially witness that moment of arrival for Joseph Valtellini. The man known as "Bazooka" has already made a splash on the international kickboxing circuit. Since Joining Glory in 2013 he has defeated veterans Murat Direkci and Karim Ghajji as well as Road to Glory tournament winner Francois Ambang, all by (T)KO. Valtellini will look to fight his way through a 4-man tournament at Glory 13 in Japan. If he can manage to do that, when it is over he will be at the top of the Glory welterweight mountain.
Valtellini took time out of his busy preparation schedule to answer a few questions for Muay Thai Authority, enjoy.
MTA: Huge year for you so far Joseph and next up is the Glory welterweight tournament, how are you feeling coming into this event?
Joseph: I feel amazing. I have a huge opportunity ahead of me that I've wanted for a long time. When I first started kickboxing, I always wanted to fight in Japan. It's an exciting time in my career and it's my chance to become the top welterweight in Glory and world.
MTA: You cut teeth fighting in tournaments in your amateur career but in the last few years since turning pro you have not fought in one. How do you feel about two fights in one night?
Joseph: Tournaments are difficult to train and prepare for. You have to be prepared to peak twice in one night. My coaches have prepared me mentally and physically for it. There are also many factors you can't plan for. It's important to get out of the first bout with as little injuries as possible. It also comes down to heart and how bad you want it.
MTA: Your first fight in the tournament is against Raymond Daniels. Are you familiar with him and if so what do you think?
Joseph: Before he signed with Glory I had never seen or heard of him. He is unorthodox and uses his point Karate style to his advantage. He fought on the same card as me in Chicago, so I was able to see his style and prepare for it during this camp.
MTA: A lot of people have different theories on how to fight in a tournament, some believe you come out looking to finish fast while other says you don't go all out and save your energy and try to avoid any real damage. What is your thought on how tournaments should addressed?
Joseph: I have seen many fighters look past their first fight and take it too lightly. I have also seen fighters give it their all and get injured. I believe it's important to just let the fight happen. To me it is about using the techniques my team and I have prepared, and just be myself in the ring.
MTA: You continue to impress people with every performance. We have people talk to us about fights all the time but since you started putting your stamp on Glory. You have to be the most talked about fighter, we constantly have people bring you up in conversation saying things like “You know who I like watching, that Joseph Valtellini", have you noticed the changes in popularity?
Joseph: That is amazing to hear. I’m happy to be an athlete that people are starting to follow and support. This is the most exciting sport in the world. I really want to get Glory and kickboxing to surpass the popularity of MMA in North America. Every time I’m in the ring, I give it my all, and try to make the fight as exciting as possible. I really do appreciate all the support that people have shown me from all over the world.
MTA: Are you worried about acclimating to the time differences in Japan, that maybe your body won't be used to it and it might affect you come fight time. If so do you have a plan to avoid that?
Joseph: Tokyo will be a 14 hour time difference, but I'm not too concerned about it. I will be going a few days earlier than usual. I will be landing in Tokyo Monday, so I will have lots of time to adjust.
MTA: You are normally not the type of guy to call anyone out or any such thing like that, but you told Nieky Holzken you are coming for his number one spot. What prompted that?
Joseph: I really didn’t call out Nieky directly. It was more about my motivation and drive to take over the #1 spot. I want to be the #1 Kickboxer in the world and anyone standing in the way of that is standing in the way of my dreams. Like I said in my pre fight interview, it’s nothing personal, just business.
MTA: In your ideal situation do you want to face Nieky in the tournament final or does that just not matter to you?
Joseph: My goal is to win the tournament. There is a lot on the line. The winner takes home $150,000 as well as the Glory Welterweight belt. Whether I fight Nieky in the finals or not, I’m sure we will meet down the road.
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