Connect with us

Articles

Note To Klitschkos–Overeem Brothers Would Fight Each Other

Published

on

Valentijn must get past Ray Sefo (r) and lots of other goofier stuff would have to happen before the Overeems would be positioned to face each other. But it is intriguing that they are open to the possibility.In Mixed Martial Arts, no question arouses more passionate argument than the question of whether teammates should fight one another. But what about taking the question even further—should siblings compete against each other?

With a slight possibility of facing his brother, Alistair Overeem, in the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament, Valentijn Overeem intrigued fans when he gave his answer. Speaking to MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani at the Strikeforce fan experience in New York City on Wednesday, Valentijn mentioned he was aware of the potential match.

“I’ve talked about it with my brother,” replied the elder Overeem.

“You would consider it?” pressed Helwani.

“Of course,” said Valentijn.

It’s a question that has been posed to Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko on multiple occasions, as well as Frank and Ken Shamrock. The former answered with a resounding ‘no,’ saying, boxing isn’t a game like tennis where only ego is bruised following a match; the latter seemed agreeable to fisticuffs due to bad blood, but with Frank in the 185 lb class and Ken scaling in at heavyweight—among other reasons—the fight never came off.

The Klitschkos, found wanting for a recognized opponent in the vein of Lennox Lewis, could never evade public curiosity over Wladimir vs. Vitali. In the case of the Overeem brothers, there is little or no interest in them fighting, since there are a plethora of heavyweight matches to test them.

The issue of teammates facing each other is equally complex as the Valentijn-Alistair equation. By working together, fighters learn the strengths and weaknesses of their training partners. They invest untold amounts of time, energy and advice and form a special bond that can transcend the gym.

“We’re good friends, too. That’s one of the big benefits,” Valentijn explained to me. “We train and help each other prepare ourselves for the fight.”

As for facing teammates, the road to Alistair’s 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix title was paved over Golden Glory member Gokhan Saki in the semi-finals where Alistair broke Saki’s right arm with a left high kick.

Despite minor speculation over the possibility of Alistair vs. Valentijn, the stars would have to line up (im)perfectly for this match to occur within the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament: Valentijn must get past Ray Sefo tonight at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva in New Jersey; Alistair must get past Fabricio Werdum in his first round match on April 9th; and at least two fighters would have to be injured and/or withdraw from the tournament since the winner of Shane Del Rosario-Lavar Johnson is the first alternate. Finally, Scott Coker would have to make a call—and he seems unlikely to invite controversy upon a tournament that Strikeforce has invested heavily in as their breakthrough event.

There’s no right answer to the question of facing a friend, training partner, or even a sibling. Teams change, relationships are never static, and opportunities can always outweigh the risks. But if push comes to shove, we know the Overeem brothers’ position.

Alistair didn’t even flinch or hesitate when asked about the idea of facing Valentijn after the Strikeforce weigh-ins held on Friday:

“Sure. Why not?”

Brian J. D’Souza is a Canadian writer who has covered Mixed Martial Arts for ESPN.com, FoxSports.com, CagePotato.com, Heavy.com and FIGHT! magazine.

Comment on this article

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Thomas-Hauser's-Literary-Notes-Johnny-Greaves-Tells-a-Sad-Tale
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Thomas Hauser’s Literary Notes: Johnny Greaves Tells a Sad Tale

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Stephen-Breadman-Edwards-An-Unlikely-Boxing-Coach-with-a-Panoramic-View-of-the-Sport
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

“Breadman” Edwards: An Unlikely Boxing Coach with a Panoramic View of the Sport

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles1 week ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-Top-Rank-and-San-Diego-Smoke
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: Top Rank and San Diego Smoke

Late-Bloomer-Anthony-Cacace-TKOs-Hometown-Favorite-Leigh-Wood-in-Nottingham
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Late Bloomer Anthony Cacace TKOs Hometown Favorite Leigh Wood in Nottingham

Argentina's-Fernando-Martinez-Wins-His-Rematch-with-Kazuto-Ioka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Argentina’s Fernando Martinez Wins His Rematch with Kazuto Ioka

Emanuel-Navarrete-Survives-a-Bloody-Battle-with-Charly-Suarez-in-San-Diego
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Emanuel Navarrete Survives a Bloody Battle with Charly Suarez in San Diego

Sam-Goodman-and-Eccentric-Harry-Garside-Score-Wins-on-a-Wednesday-Card-in-Sydney
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Sam Goodman and Eccentric Harry Garside Score Wins on a Wednesday Card in Sydney

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-A-Hectic-Boxing-Week-in-LA
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: A Hectic Boxing Week in L.A.

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles6 days ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles5 days ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles18 hours ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 days ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles5 days ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles6 days ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles6 days ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles1 week ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-A-Hectic-Boxing-Week-in-LA
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: A Hectic Boxing Week in L.A.

Sam-Goodman-and-Eccentric-Harry-Garside-Score-Wins-on-a-Wednesday-Card-in-Sydney
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Sam Goodman and Eccentric Harry Garside Score Wins on a Wednesday Card in Sydney

Thomas-Hauser's-Literary-Notes-Johnny-Greaves-Tells-a-Sad-Tale
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Thomas Hauser’s Literary Notes: Johnny Greaves Tells a Sad Tale

Argentina's-Fernando-Martinez-Wins-His-Rematch-with-Kazuto-Ioka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Argentina’s Fernando Martinez Wins His Rematch with Kazuto Ioka

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending