LONDON, UK (Aug. 22, 2012) – Heavyweight kickboxing KO artist and former Ernesto Hoost protégé Tyrone “The King of the Ring” Spong (68-6-1, 42 KO’s) of Amsterdam, Netherlands has signed a multi-fight, two-year exclusive deal with GLORY to compete in the world’s premiere kickboxing league. He is slated to make his GLORY debut at the GLORY World Series mega-event in Tokyo, Japan on a December date to be announced soon.
The 26-year-old, 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in), 103.5 kg (228 pound), former It’s Showtime World Champion, has scored KO’s in over 60 percent of his victories,. including his latest conquest, a third-round stoppage of all-time great Peter Aerts in Brussels, Belgium on June 30, 2012.
Spong made an immediate impact in the kickboxing world in 2003, his first year competing as a professional, reeling off 12 consecutive wins in a span of as many months. He notched his first major victory on Oct. 1, 2006 when he scored a thunderous, first round (1:55) KO on world champion Kaoklai Kaennorsing of Bangkok, Thailand in Almere, Netherlands. A marquee moment in his career was as a 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix finalist from the old K-1 organization.
“I am very happy to join GLORY and take part in their heavyweight division. It was clear to me that GLORY World Series represents the toughest challenge in kickboxing,” said Spong, who recently relocated to South Florida where he trains alongside UFC superstars Alistair Overeem and Rashad Evans. In addition to being mentored by kickboxing legend Hoost, Spong has trained under professional boxing guru, Floyd Mayweather, Sr.
“The best stand-up fighters in the world are taking part in this league,” Spong continued, “and I want to prove that I am the best. I will be the king of the Glory ring”
Spong is renowned for his incredible athleticism and technical fluidity, attributes that allow him to move with a level of speed that is comparable to a lightweight.
“We are delighted to welcome Tyrone Spong to the GLORY heavyweight division,” said GLORY Ambassador, Cor Hemmers. “He is a very exciting fighter and has a very impressive highlight reel. Fans can expect some superb performances and lots of knockouts.
“Our roster of heavyweight superstars is beyond anything kickboxing has ever seen and, with the acquisition of Tyrone, it just became that much more outstanding,“ commented Marcus Luer, Managing Director of GLORY Sports International.
Born in Suriname and raised in Amsterdam, Spong started his career as a middleweight where he won two different European championships, and has steadily climbed through the weight categories over the years, winning a cruiserweight title on his way to heavyweight.
Amongst the heavyweight superstars whom Spong will join in Tokyo are Peter Aerts, Remy Bonjasky, Semmy Schilt and Jerome Le Banner—all GLORY fighters who, together, boast a collection of over 10 heavyweight World Grand Prix titles from the old K-1 organization– and rising stars such as Errol Zimmerman, Gokhan Saki, Anderson ‘Braddock’ Silva and Filip Verlinden.
