Ernesto Hoost is the man who needs no introduction. We had an opportunity to catch up with him right after Fedor's seminar in the Netherlands in March. Here is the interview with the legend of the sport.
Michael Mazur: How do you think why K-1 is so popular here in the Netherlands. If you compare it with other countries there are 12 K-1 World Grand Prix champions out of 15 coming out of the Netherlands. What’s the reason of it?
Ernesto Hoost: Well, striking kind of sport was introduced and popularized here about 25-30 years ago. The way people taught us how to train and fight was very important. The Full Contact sport grew, too. You see the same with MMA now. It all started back in late 70-s with Kick and Muay Thai.
Michael: And then it exploded...
Ernesto Hoost: Well, it’s popular now although I’d like to see it more on TV.
Michael: How famous are you here in the Netherlands. You are 4-x K-1 World Grand Prix Champion but do people recognize you on the street?
Ernesto Hoost: People recognize me and ask me to sign an autograph or make a photo. But I’m not as popular as say soccer players. There’s a huge difference between soccer, cycling, tennis and fighting as it’s not televised that much.
Michael: But is it gaining more popularity? Is it moving towards being more televised on major networks here in the Netherlands?
Ernesto Hoost: Well, only K-1 hits the TV on SBS but still they broadcast it 6 times a year.
Michael: It could be better.
Ernesto Hoost: Well yes, but also K-1 is more entertaining and the level is pretty high. If you go to a local event then the level is a bit lower so I can understand it, too.
Michael: What’s your opinion about late Ruslan Karaev’s performance?
Ernesto Hoost: Ruslan started very well. He’s an explosive, interesting and exciting fighter. I think K-1 made him too important for themselves right away. They let him fight everybody. They wouldn’t let him recover enough from a KO. And I think that ruined his career. Personally, I think he won’t be as good as he could’ve been.
Michael: So he’ll never come back...
Ernesto Hoost: I don’t say he’ll never come back. But if you lose 3-4 times in a row that’s just too much. That’s f**king up your brain too much.
Michael: Is it possible to recover after such hard KO’s?
Ernesto Hoost: I don’t know. It’s different for everybody. But mentally it’s quiet hard as well. You’ve been knocked-out so many times in a row and it’s not good for your confidence. I believe he’s one of the biggest talents in K-1. He should’ve been far more careful with building his career. They should’ve protected him against himself. Because as a fighter you are always ready to return to the ring but others must tell you when it’s better not to fight at all. They never did that.
Michael: Do you have enemies in the Martial Arts world?
Ernesto Hoost: No. Well, I don’t like some people but no enemies.
Michael: Do you watch MMA on regular basis?
Ernesto Hoost: Yeah, I try to watch it quite regularly. I watch for example UFC and prior to it I used to watch Pride.
Michael: Are you coming tomorrow for Slamm – M-1 Challenge?
Ernesto Hoost: I’m not sure but I hope so.
Michael: Do you have a favorite movie?
Ernesto Hoost: The Bourne trilogy. Also I like Highlander with Christopher Lambert.
Michael: Any favorite book?
Ernesto Hoost: I read quite a lot. My taste changes. I’ve just finished reading the book called “Tokio Zero”. It’s about some murderer in post World War II Japan. What I like about the book is that it takes place in Tokio and lots of places mentioned there are the places I’ve actually been to.
Michael: And a favorite singer?
Ernesto Hoost: John Legend.
Michael: Would you star in a movie?
Ernesto Hoost: I would. There were some negotiations about it but I’ve not heard anything about it recently.
Michael: Have you ever been to a street fight?
Ernesto Hoost: It happened a couple times long time ago in my career.
Michael: Nowadays people don’t want to mess with you, right?
Ernesto Hoost: You never know. But I’m not looking for it as well, you know. If you don’t need troubles they won’t come to you.
Michael: Thank you very much for the interview.
Ernesto Hoost: You’re always welcome.
Interview by Michael Mazur
