Credibility on the line for K1 stars 

New Zealand's K1 heavyweight stars must answer serious questions about their international credibility when they clash in the Kings of Oceania tournament at Trusts Stadium, with coverage on TV2 from 9pm on Saturday.

Kiwis have sat at the top of the Oceania heavyweight heap for five years, regularly spanking our Australian counterparts.

But a fiery resurgence by the Aussies in the March K1 Anzacs show has displaced them from the top ranks.

The outspoken "Chief", Peter Graham, regained top dog-barking rights with his victory over K1 superstar Alexei Ignashov, while the "Polish Mule", Paul Slowinski, sits close on his heels after dismantling New Zealand K1 champ Rony Sefo.

120 kg Greek Australian Chris Chrisopulides has his size 12 feet firmly entrenched in the number three spot displacing Jason Suttie, who he scored a shock victory over in March.

Suttie and Sefo need to strike back hard to resurrect their K1 careers and the Kings of Oceania series is a chance for both fighters to re-stake their claim.

The show is the first of a three-round series where 12 Oceania fighters will compete in three pools of four.

At the end of the round-robin, the winner of each pool and a wild card selection will go through to the international K1 World Grand Prix eight-man tournament held in Auckland in March 2006.

That field will include four fighters from the United States, Europe and Japan as well as the four Oceania winners.

Sefo will be desperate when he steps out against Peter Graham - he must know this is his final shot at the big time.

Many of Sefo's recent fights have been plagued by lethargy and poor conditioning, which he can not afford against the hungry Aussie.

Graham has prepared well for the big banging Sefo with spirited sparring sessions against US-bound boxer Shane Cameron, surprising the "Mountain Warrior" at times with his speed and good work on the inside.

Graham is the overwhelming favourite but something tells me desperation could make a difference.

Sefo has immense power and two months of hard training should enable him to carry it throughout the fight.

If it goes the distance Graham's work rate will carry him through, but I suspect a more urgent Sefo will put him away before the final bell.

Suttie also has a big shot at redemption against Chrisopulides conqueror Matt Samoa.

Samoa bombed out Chrisopulides when they last meet so Suttie will reclaim some ground if he "beats the man who beat the man".

A fact unknown to many is that Suttie has fought with a major elbow injury for the past two years preventing him from protecting the right side of his head and body.

After his disappointing last fight Suttie finally took time out to have it operated on.

With two fully functional arms Suttie becomes and even more daunting prospect for Samoa.

Expect a technical fight from Suttie, outpointing Samoa over the distance unless the Aussie pressures him.

If that happens it will become a shoot out of Suttie's lightning-fast hands v Samoa's bombs and I expect speed and skill to overcome brawn.

Two other exciting prospects to look out for are towering Tongan Paula Mataele and left-handed newcomer Sid Asiata.

Asiata is a complete underdog against Paul Slowinski but is a latently untested talent who could well shine under the immense pressure Slowinski will undoubtedly apply.

Former Team Tua boxer Mataele has impressively KO'd two experienced Aussies this year but meets a power kicking brick wall in Hiriwa Te Rangi.

Expect 1.97metre Mataele to come out on top but only after a tough battle.

The K1 Grand Prix is a global heavyweight elimination tournament that finishes each year with the top eight fighters competing for $US1million in the Tokyo Dome, Japan.

The March tournament is the first Grand-Prix event held in Australasia and the winner will be only one fight away from making the final eight.

Only Mark Hunt and Ray Sefo have made the finals from New Zealand. Sefo was runner up in 2000 and Hunt won the event in 2001.