Jérôme Le Banner
Encyclopedia
Jérôme "Geronimo" Le Banner (born 26 December 1972), is a French
kickboxer and K-1
superstar, famous for his aggressive fighting style and knockout power.
He is a legend in the K-1 sport and is still considered to be the best fighter to never win the K-1 World Grand Prix Title. He has knocked out top ranked fighters such as, Peter Aerts
, Ernesto Hoost
, Francisco Filho
, Mike Bernardo
and holds other notable wins over Remy Bonjasky
and Mark Hunt
. He also holds an MMA victory over middleweight Yoshihiro Akiyama.
His last name "Le Banner" is pronounced like "Re Banna" in Japan. Many Japanese K-1 fans and Japanese mass media calls him "Banna".
, in the région of Normandy
. Le Banner started judo
training at the age of 6. When he was 14, Bruce Lee
's Fist of Fury
influenced him so much that he started practicing karate
instead, while trying to incorporate the techniques of Jeet Kune Do
he had seen in the film. Jeet Kune Do gave him the southpaw stance which he has maintained throughout his career, even though he is right-handed. He holds a black belt
in the Kyokushin kaikan style of karate.
At the age of 18, he debuted in his first full contact kickboxing competitions. By 20 he held the ISKA
French title and soon after that, he won the European belt against Andy Mayo, and the Intercontinental belt in South Africa
against Mike Bernardo
.
debut, winning a five-round decision over Nokveed Devy. Two months later, on 4 May 1995 he made his first K-1 World Grand Prix
appearance in Tokyo
, Japan
, knocking out both Masaaki Satake
and Mike Bernardo
, before losing to Peter Aerts
in the tournament finals.
On June 1, 1996 at Paris,Le Banner won the ISKA Muay Thai World super heavyweight championship against Curtis Schuster.
On October 18, K-1 Star Wars '96,Le Banner beat Ernesto Hoost
via 2nd round Knockout.
's promoter Jean-Christophe Courrèges. On 1998, Le Banner contracted boxing promoter Don King. And,Le Banner contracted well-known boxing trainer Don Turner
. He was training with Evander Holyfield
.
On July 18, K-1 DREAM '98, Le Banner fought against Sam Greco
. Le Banner was 2 knocked down in 1st round. But,Le Banner knocked Greco out in 2nd round.
On September 19,Le Banner fought in Evander Holyfield vs Vaughn Bean
's undercard. Le Banner beat Espedito da Silva via 1st round knockout by high kick,to become WKN Muay Thai world super heavyweight champion.
Le Banner's pro boxing record was 4fight 4wins 3KO 1DQ. And,Le Banner was going to fight boxing rule match in Madison Square Garden
on February and March 1999. But,he had trouble to Don King about his contract. So,these matches were canceled by Don King.
solved his contract problem so that he could return to K-1.
On October 3, K-1 World Grand Prix '99 Opening Round, Le Banner fought against Matt Skelton
. Skelton will become pro boxing WBA
world Heavyweight title contender, WBO
world Heavyweight number 5 contender. And Skelton had been never knocked down by punch in his fighting career. But Le Banner dominated Skelton by boxing skill. Le Banner knocked out Skelton in 1st round. Le Banner's amazing power was shocking to all K-1 fighters and fans.
in Quarter Final. Le Banner wanted to choose Aerts as opponent in tournament draw. First,Le Banner was knocked down by Aerts's highkick. But, Le Banner knocked out Aerts by left hook in 1:11 of 1st round. In semifinal, Le Banner fought Ernesto Hoost.Le Banner dominated Hoost in 1st round.But,he lost by KO in 2nd round.
World Open Karate Tournament 1999 champion Francisco Filho
. Le Banner knocked Filho unconscious out by Left straight punch in 1st round. This Knock Out is called "Millennium KO","The biggest KO of thousand years". Le Banner's left arm and left punch has called "Golden Left" since this match.
On July 30,Le Banner beat Mark Hunt
, Nicholas Pettas
and Ernesto Hoost
,to become K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Nagoya tournament Champion. But,he was not able to fight in K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 Final by car crash accident and disease.
On April 29, 2001, Le Banner won the tournament by three 1st round KO's the fastest win in K-1 history in total time of 4 minutes and 4 seconds in K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Osaka.
On December 8, Le Banner lost Mark Hunt
by KO in K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final Quarter Finals. The match is the biggest upsets in K-1 event of 2001.
. In 2nd round,first Hunt was knocked down by Le Banner's counter-punch. And,Le Banner was knocked down. Last 5secons of 2nd round Le Banner knocked down Hunt by high kick. And Le Banner won by TKO before 3rd round.
, after defeating Musashi
in the quarterfinals, and Mark Hunt
in the semis, Le Banner faced three-time World Champion Ernesto Hoost
in the tournament final. Following an evenly fought first two rounds, Hoost shattered Le Banner's left arm with three round kicks in the third. Le Banner's left arm was already broken when first knocked down, but Le Banner continued to fight by his strong fighting spirit. This match was stopped by 3 knock down rule. This match's referee Nobuaki Kakuda
was severely criticized that didn't stop the match or doctor check for LeBanner when Le Banner was first knocked down. Despite suffering near career-ending injury (a steel rod and eleven pins were inserted into his shattered arm).
Paris 2003, winning the fight by punch combinations over Belarus
ian Vitali Akhramenko
.
On March 26, 2005,Le Banner knocked Yoshihiro Akiyama
out by knee kick in MMA rule at Hero's 1.
On May 13, 2006,at K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Amsterdam, Le Banner fought against 2times K-1 WORLD GP champion Remy Bonjasky
. The fight was rather controversial as Bonjasky won the fight in a majority decision by all Dutch judges despite being dominated in this fight. On June 30, 2006,K-1 judge admitted the decision was a mistake. And,this match's result officially change "Le Banner won Bonjasky by unanimous decision(point is 30-29)".
On 2006, Le Banner announced that hope to fight against current UFC heavyweight world champion Tim Sylvia
in UFC rule.
On December 2, 2006, after his loss against Semmy Schilt
at K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 finals, Le Banner announced to be considering his semi retirement from tournament fighting, restricting future appearances to K-1's Superfight events.
In early 2007, after his fight at K-1 World GP 2007 in Yokohama he was forced to have a knee surgery and was not expected to return to the ring until 2008; however due to a fast recovery K-1 announced that Le Banner will participate on September 29, 2007 at the K-1 World GP 2007 in Seoul Final 16 against Russian kickboxer Ruslan Karaev
. Just two days before the fight, Karaev had to pull out and was replaced by a former Korean Taekwondo
practitioner, Yong Soo Park. It took Le Banner only 0'54" seconds to knock out Park in the first round by straight punch and qualify himself for K-1 World GP 2007 Final held in December 8, 2007 held at the Yokohama Arena
, Japan
.
On 8 December 2007, in the ninth K-1 World GP appearance of his career, Le Banner defeated Choi Hong Man in the quarter-finals by unanimous decision before facing the reigning K-1
champion Semmy Schilt
in the semis. Le Banner finished the first round up on scorecards. In the beginning of the second round Schilt landed a low kick that seemed to hurt Le Banner's right knee, which he had surgery on in early 2007. The fight was eventually stopped by Le Banner's corner throwing in the towel to avoid further damage to the injured knee.
Jerome fought Schilt again at the K-1 World GP 2008 in Fukuoka for the K-1 Super-Heavyweight title. Jerome ended up losing a controversial majority decision.
As a finalist Jerome fought at the K-1 World GP 2008 Final 16 against the young Japanese fighter, Junichi Sawayashiki
. Although Jerome was unable to knock the young fighter out he won a unanimous decision. At the Finals Jerome lost by TKO to the eventual champion Remy Bonjasky
.
On 26 September Jerome fought Japanese rival Musashi
at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final 16. Despite all the injuries Jerome had accumulated over his long K-1 career Jerome knocked down the Japanese veteran to claim a unanimous decision.
In his eleventh appearance at the K-1 World Grand Prix Final Championship he fought Semmy Schilt
. Jerome lost to Semmy for the 4th time in his career by first round TKO. After the fight Jerome stated that he plans to continue to fight in the World Grand Prix Final even though there was suspicion before the fight that this would be his last World Grand Prix appearance.
in Amsterdam. On April 3 at K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Yokohama, Le Banner beat Tyrone Spong
by unanimous decision.
On Octorber 2, He fought again in the final 16 of the 2010 tournament. Le Banner fought against K-1 Heavyweight Champion Kyotaro in the opening round. After a close three rounds where round one was called a draw, round two was given to Jerome, and round three was given to Kyotaro, the fight was sent to an extra round. Jerome disagreed with the judges ruling on the third round and left the ring.
Jerome LeBanner fought Olympic Judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii
in a mixed martial arts rules bout at DREAM's Dynamite!! 2010
New Year's Eve event in Japan. LeBanner had an MMA record of 3-1-1 heading into the fight. However, LeBanner lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Awards
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
kickboxer and K-1
K-1
K-1 is a defunct world-wide kickboxing promotion based in Tokyo, Japan founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a formerKyokushin karate practitioner. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San Shou, kickboxing, western-style boxing, and other martial arts...
superstar, famous for his aggressive fighting style and knockout power.
He is a legend in the K-1 sport and is still considered to be the best fighter to never win the K-1 World Grand Prix Title. He has knocked out top ranked fighters such as, Peter Aerts
Peter Aerts
Peter "The Dutch Lumberjack" Aerts is a Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer. He is a three-time K-1 World Grand Prix and Muay Thai World Champion. Aerts is best known for his powerful strikes and high kicks.- Biography :...
, Ernesto Hoost
Ernesto Hoost
Ernesto Fritz "Mr. Perfect" Hoost is a Dutch former kickboxer and four-time K-1 World Champion. He made his debut in 1993 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 1993, where he came just one win short of the world title...
, Francisco Filho
Francisco Filho (martial artist)
Francisco "Chiquinho" Filho is a Brazilian former Kyokushin Karateka and kickboxer. He is one of the few karate-ka to have successfully completed the 100 man kumite more than once....
, Mike Bernardo
Mike Bernardo
Michael "Mike" Bernardo is a South African former kickboxer and boxer from Cape Town. Bernardo is known as Beru-chan in Japan, where he has taken part in K-1 World GPs since 1994...
and holds other notable wins over Remy Bonjasky
Remy Bonjasky
Remy "The Flying Gentleman" Bonjasky is a Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer of Surinamese descent. He is a three-time K-1 World Grand Prix champion, who has won the title in 2003, 2004, and 2008...
and Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt ; is a New Zealand kickboxer and mixed martial artist of Samoan descent, currently living in Sydney, Australia. Hunt competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is known for his raw strength, iron chin and knockout power. He won the K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final...
. He also holds an MMA victory over middleweight Yoshihiro Akiyama.
His last name "Le Banner" is pronounced like "Re Banna" in Japan. Many Japanese K-1 fans and Japanese mass media calls him "Banna".
Early career
Jérôme Le Banner was born in the French city of Le HavreLe Havre
Le Havre is a city in the Seine-Maritime department of the Haute-Normandie region in France. It is situated in north-western France, on the right bank of the mouth of the river Seine on the English Channel. Le Havre is the most populous commune in the Haute-Normandie region, although the total...
, in the région of Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
. Le Banner started judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
training at the age of 6. When he was 14, Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
's Fist of Fury
Fist of Fury
Fist of Fury, formerly known as The Chinese Connection and The Iron Hand in the United States, is a 1972 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Lo Wei. It starred Bruce Lee in his second major film after The Big Boss...
influenced him so much that he started practicing karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
instead, while trying to incorporate the techniques of Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do is a hybrid martial arts system and life philosophy founded by martial artist Bruce Lee with direct, non classical and straightforward movements. Due to the way his style works they believe in minimal movement with maximum effect and extreme speed. The system works on the use of...
he had seen in the film. Jeet Kune Do gave him the southpaw stance which he has maintained throughout his career, even though he is right-handed. He holds a black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
in the Kyokushin kaikan style of karate.
At the age of 18, he debuted in his first full contact kickboxing competitions. By 20 he held the ISKA
Iska
Iska is a village in Koonga Parish, Pärnu County in southwestern Estonia....
French title and soon after that, he won the European belt against Andy Mayo, and the Intercontinental belt in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
against Mike Bernardo
Mike Bernardo
Michael "Mike" Bernardo is a South African former kickboxer and boxer from Cape Town. Bernardo is known as Beru-chan in Japan, where he has taken part in K-1 World GPs since 1994...
.
K-1 debut
On 3 March 1995, Jerome Le Banner made his K-1K-1
K-1 is a defunct world-wide kickboxing promotion based in Tokyo, Japan founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a formerKyokushin karate practitioner. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San Shou, kickboxing, western-style boxing, and other martial arts...
debut, winning a five-round decision over Nokveed Devy. Two months later, on 4 May 1995 he made his first K-1 World Grand Prix
K-1 World Grand Prix
K-1 World Grand Prix, also known as the K-1 World GP, is an elimination kickboxing tournament that has been held annually since 1993 by the K-1 organization. Each year, K-1 holds various 16-men, 8-match grand prix style tournaments throughout the world to determine which 16 fighters will compete in...
appearance in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, knocking out both Masaaki Satake
Masaaki Satake
is a Japanese former super heavyweight karateka, kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He was one of the pioneering heavyweight fighters in K-1, after being a member of Kazuyoshi Ishii's Seido-Kaikan school and organization.-Biography and career:...
and Mike Bernardo
Mike Bernardo
Michael "Mike" Bernardo is a South African former kickboxer and boxer from Cape Town. Bernardo is known as Beru-chan in Japan, where he has taken part in K-1 World GPs since 1994...
, before losing to Peter Aerts
Peter Aerts
Peter "The Dutch Lumberjack" Aerts is a Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer. He is a three-time K-1 World Grand Prix and Muay Thai World Champion. Aerts is best known for his powerful strikes and high kicks.- Biography :...
in the tournament finals.
First world title shot
After K-1 GP 95,Le Banner was enforced conscription by France army.And,he had trouble to his trainer.So,he couldn't train for fight.His conscription was finished on April 1996.And,he contracted new trainer.On June 1, 1996 at Paris,Le Banner won the ISKA Muay Thai World super heavyweight championship against Curtis Schuster.
On October 18, K-1 Star Wars '96,Le Banner beat Ernesto Hoost
Ernesto Hoost
Ernesto Fritz "Mr. Perfect" Hoost is a Dutch former kickboxer and four-time K-1 World Champion. He made his debut in 1993 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 1993, where he came just one win short of the world title...
via 2nd round Knockout.
K-1 and Boxing
On 1997,Le Banner had trouble to his trainer again. And, Le Banner contracted former Christophe TiozzoChristophe Tiozzo
Christophe Tiozzo was a French boxer, who won a Light Middleweight Bronze medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics...
's promoter Jean-Christophe Courrèges. On 1998, Le Banner contracted boxing promoter Don King. And,Le Banner contracted well-known boxing trainer Don Turner
Don Turner
-Biography:He is well known for his work with Evander Holyfield during the late 1990s, specifically during Holyfield's two wins over Mike Tyson. He was also at Holyfield's side when he fought Lennox Lewis....
. He was training with Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield is a professional boxer from the United States. He is a former undisputed world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"...
.
On July 18, K-1 DREAM '98, Le Banner fought against Sam Greco
Sam Greco
Sam "Slam 'em" Greco is a retired Australian super heavyweight kickboxer, heavyweight mixed martial artist and professional wrestler of Italian descent, who fought in Kyokushin karate, professional kickboxing, and K-1 tournaments....
. Le Banner was 2 knocked down in 1st round. But,Le Banner knocked Greco out in 2nd round.
On September 19,Le Banner fought in Evander Holyfield vs Vaughn Bean
Vaughn Bean
Vaughn Bean is a former professional boxer.Nicknamed "Shake & Bake", Bean is known for making several arguably undeserved challenges for heavyweight titles, each time coming up short. Bean began his career with 27 victories over extremely limited competition, lining up a shot at IBF Heavyweight...
's undercard. Le Banner beat Espedito da Silva via 1st round knockout by high kick,to become WKN Muay Thai world super heavyweight champion.
Le Banner's pro boxing record was 4fight 4wins 3KO 1DQ. And,Le Banner was going to fight boxing rule match in Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
on February and March 1999. But,he had trouble to Don King about his contract. So,these matches were canceled by Don King.
Shocking sensational return to K-1
Le Banner couldn't fight kickboxing and boxing by contract problem. On 1999, K-1 producer Kazuyoshi IshiiKazuyoshi Ishii
is a Japanese master of Seidokaikan karate and founder of the K-1 fighting circuit, a widely televised international martial arts competition combining Muay Thai, karate, sanshou, taekwondo, kenpo, boxing, and kickboxing...
solved his contract problem so that he could return to K-1.
On October 3, K-1 World Grand Prix '99 Opening Round, Le Banner fought against Matt Skelton
Matt Skelton
Matt Skelton is an English boxer who changed sports from kickboxing. He is a former English, British, Commonwealth and European Heavyweight champion. He has also held the lightly regarded WBU "World" Heavyweight title....
. Skelton will become pro boxing WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
world Heavyweight title contender, WBO
World Boxing Organization
The World Boxing Organization is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. The organization is recognized as one of the four major world championship groups by the IBHOF alongside the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Council and the...
world Heavyweight number 5 contender. And Skelton had been never knocked down by punch in his fighting career. But Le Banner dominated Skelton by boxing skill. Le Banner knocked out Skelton in 1st round. Le Banner's amazing power was shocking to all K-1 fighters and fans.
Legendary matches of K-1 GP 99 FINAL
On December 5,at Tokyo Dome, K-1 Grand Prix '99 Final Round, Le Banner fought against 3 times K-1 GP champion,reigning defending K-1 GP champion Peter AertsPeter Aerts
Peter "The Dutch Lumberjack" Aerts is a Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer. He is a three-time K-1 World Grand Prix and Muay Thai World Champion. Aerts is best known for his powerful strikes and high kicks.- Biography :...
in Quarter Final. Le Banner wanted to choose Aerts as opponent in tournament draw. First,Le Banner was knocked down by Aerts's highkick. But, Le Banner knocked out Aerts by left hook in 1:11 of 1st round. In semifinal, Le Banner fought Ernesto Hoost.Le Banner dominated Hoost in 1st round.But,he lost by KO in 2nd round.
Legendary Millennium KO
On April 23, 2000, K-1 The Millennium,Le Banner fought against KyokushinKyokushin
is a style of stand-up, full contact karate, founded in 1964 by Korean-Japanese karate master, who was born under the name Choi Young-Eui . Kyokushinkai is Japanese for "the society of the ultimate truth". Kyokushin is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline and hard training...
World Open Karate Tournament 1999 champion Francisco Filho
Francisco Filho
Francisco Filho may refer to:* Francisco Filho , martial artist born in Bahia* Francisco Filho , football coach born in São Paulo...
. Le Banner knocked Filho unconscious out by Left straight punch in 1st round. This Knock Out is called "Millennium KO","The biggest KO of thousand years". Le Banner's left arm and left punch has called "Golden Left" since this match.
On July 30,Le Banner beat Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt ; is a New Zealand kickboxer and mixed martial artist of Samoan descent, currently living in Sydney, Australia. Hunt competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is known for his raw strength, iron chin and knockout power. He won the K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final...
, Nicholas Pettas
Nicholas Pettas
Nicholas Pettas is a Greek-Danish karateka, former heavyweight kickboxer and actor, who fought out of Team Sprit AE in Tokyo, Japan...
and Ernesto Hoost
Ernesto Hoost
Ernesto Fritz "Mr. Perfect" Hoost is a Dutch former kickboxer and four-time K-1 World Champion. He made his debut in 1993 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 1993, where he came just one win short of the world title...
,to become K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Nagoya tournament Champion. But,he was not able to fight in K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 Final by car crash accident and disease.
On April 29, 2001, Le Banner won the tournament by three 1st round KO's the fastest win in K-1 history in total time of 4 minutes and 4 seconds in K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Osaka.
On December 8, Le Banner lost Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt ; is a New Zealand kickboxer and mixed martial artist of Samoan descent, currently living in Sydney, Australia. Hunt competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is known for his raw strength, iron chin and knockout power. He won the K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final...
by KO in K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final Quarter Finals. The match is the biggest upsets in K-1 event of 2001.
Legendary rubber match against Hunt in Paris
On May 25, 2002, Le Banner fought Mark Hunt at K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Paris in a rubber matchRubber match
According to Paul Dickson's The New Dickson's Baseball Dictionary , a "rubber game" is "The last and deciding game of a series when the previous games have been split; e.g., the seventh game of the World Series." This tie-breaking sense of "rubber" apparently originated in the English game of...
. In 2nd round,first Hunt was knocked down by Le Banner's counter-punch. And,Le Banner was knocked down. Last 5secons of 2nd round Le Banner knocked down Hunt by high kick. And Le Banner won by TKO before 3rd round.
K-1 WORLD GP 2002 FINAL
On December 7, 2002 at K-1 World Grand Prix 2002K-1 World Grand Prix 2002
K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final was a kickboxing event promoted by the K-1. The event was held at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan on Saturday, December 7, 2002 in front of 74,500 spectators. It was the tenth K-1 World Grand Prix final, involving ten of the world's top fighters , with all bouts...
, after defeating Musashi
Musashi (kickboxer)
is a retired professional Japanese Heavyweight karateka and kickboxer. He is 4 time K-1 Japan tournament champion, a former WAKO Heavyweight Muay Thai champion and two time K-1 World Grand Prix finalist...
in the quarterfinals, and Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt ; is a New Zealand kickboxer and mixed martial artist of Samoan descent, currently living in Sydney, Australia. Hunt competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is known for his raw strength, iron chin and knockout power. He won the K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final...
in the semis, Le Banner faced three-time World Champion Ernesto Hoost
Ernesto Hoost
Ernesto Fritz "Mr. Perfect" Hoost is a Dutch former kickboxer and four-time K-1 World Champion. He made his debut in 1993 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 1993, where he came just one win short of the world title...
in the tournament final. Following an evenly fought first two rounds, Hoost shattered Le Banner's left arm with three round kicks in the third. Le Banner's left arm was already broken when first knocked down, but Le Banner continued to fight by his strong fighting spirit. This match was stopped by 3 knock down rule. This match's referee Nobuaki Kakuda
Nobuaki Kakuda
is a Japanese Seidokaikan Karateka.-Career:Kakuda is famous for his first punch knockout win over German mixed martial artist Mavrick at 0:56 seconds in the K-1 Fields Europe GP 2005 as well as being the only K-1 fighter to lose to Akebono, a former Sumo wrestler whose long losing streak has made...
was severely criticized that didn't stop the match or doctor check for LeBanner when Le Banner was first knocked down. Despite suffering near career-ending injury (a steel rod and eleven pins were inserted into his shattered arm).
After broken left arm
Le Banner was able to recover and returned to the ring six months later in K-1K-1
K-1 is a defunct world-wide kickboxing promotion based in Tokyo, Japan founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a formerKyokushin karate practitioner. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San Shou, kickboxing, western-style boxing, and other martial arts...
Paris 2003, winning the fight by punch combinations over Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
ian Vitali Akhramenko
Vitali Akhramenko
Vitali Akhramenko is a Belarusian Heavyweight kickboxer and a former World Muay Thai champion. He is trained by Andrei Gridin and is fighting out of Chinuk Gym, Minsk, Belarus...
.
On March 26, 2005,Le Banner knocked Yoshihiro Akiyama
Yoshihiro Akiyama
, born Choo Sung-hoon , is a Japanese mixed martial artist and judoka. He is a fourth-generation Japanese of Korean descent and acquired Japanese nationality in 2001....
out by knee kick in MMA rule at Hero's 1.
On May 13, 2006,at K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Amsterdam, Le Banner fought against 2times K-1 WORLD GP champion Remy Bonjasky
Remy Bonjasky
Remy "The Flying Gentleman" Bonjasky is a Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer of Surinamese descent. He is a three-time K-1 World Grand Prix champion, who has won the title in 2003, 2004, and 2008...
. The fight was rather controversial as Bonjasky won the fight in a majority decision by all Dutch judges despite being dominated in this fight. On June 30, 2006,K-1 judge admitted the decision was a mistake. And,this match's result officially change "Le Banner won Bonjasky by unanimous decision(point is 30-29)".
On 2006, Le Banner announced that hope to fight against current UFC heavyweight world champion Tim Sylvia
Tim Sylvia
Timothy Deane Sylvia is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter, professional wrestler, and former Ultimate Fighting Championship Heavyweight Champion. He trains as a member of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp and is part of their MFSE group...
in UFC rule.
On December 2, 2006, after his loss against Semmy Schilt
Semmy Schilt
Semmy Schilt , also known as Sem Schilt, is a Dutch Ashihara karateka, kickboxer, mixed martial artist and four time K-1 World GP champion. He is the first and only fighter in K-1 history to win the championship three times in a row, and also shares the record with Ernesto Hoost for most GPs won,...
at K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 finals, Le Banner announced to be considering his semi retirement from tournament fighting, restricting future appearances to K-1's Superfight events.
In early 2007, after his fight at K-1 World GP 2007 in Yokohama he was forced to have a knee surgery and was not expected to return to the ring until 2008; however due to a fast recovery K-1 announced that Le Banner will participate on September 29, 2007 at the K-1 World GP 2007 in Seoul Final 16 against Russian kickboxer Ruslan Karaev
Ruslan Karaev
Ruslan Savelyevich Karaev is a Russian kickboxer of Ossetian origin. He is K-1 World GP 2005 in Las Vegas and K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Taipei tournament champion...
. Just two days before the fight, Karaev had to pull out and was replaced by a former Korean Taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
practitioner, Yong Soo Park. It took Le Banner only 0'54" seconds to knock out Park in the first round by straight punch and qualify himself for K-1 World GP 2007 Final held in December 8, 2007 held at the Yokohama Arena
Yokohama Arena
is an indoor sporting arena located in Yokohama, Japan. The capacity of the arena is 17,000 and was opened in 1989. The arena was modeled after US sports venue Madison Square Garden in New York City. It is a five minute walk from the closest subway station, Shin-Yokohama Station on the JR/Yokohama...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
On 8 December 2007, in the ninth K-1 World GP appearance of his career, Le Banner defeated Choi Hong Man in the quarter-finals by unanimous decision before facing the reigning K-1
K-1
K-1 is a defunct world-wide kickboxing promotion based in Tokyo, Japan founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a formerKyokushin karate practitioner. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San Shou, kickboxing, western-style boxing, and other martial arts...
champion Semmy Schilt
Semmy Schilt
Semmy Schilt , also known as Sem Schilt, is a Dutch Ashihara karateka, kickboxer, mixed martial artist and four time K-1 World GP champion. He is the first and only fighter in K-1 history to win the championship three times in a row, and also shares the record with Ernesto Hoost for most GPs won,...
in the semis. Le Banner finished the first round up on scorecards. In the beginning of the second round Schilt landed a low kick that seemed to hurt Le Banner's right knee, which he had surgery on in early 2007. The fight was eventually stopped by Le Banner's corner throwing in the towel to avoid further damage to the injured knee.
Jerome fought Schilt again at the K-1 World GP 2008 in Fukuoka for the K-1 Super-Heavyweight title. Jerome ended up losing a controversial majority decision.
As a finalist Jerome fought at the K-1 World GP 2008 Final 16 against the young Japanese fighter, Junichi Sawayashiki
Junichi Sawayashiki
is a Japanese heavyweight kickboxer from Tokyo currently competing in K-1. -Biography:Sawayashiki, at only 19 years old, turned pro in 2004 and started fighting for R.I.S.E. kickboxing promotion in Japan...
. Although Jerome was unable to knock the young fighter out he won a unanimous decision. At the Finals Jerome lost by TKO to the eventual champion Remy Bonjasky
Remy Bonjasky
Remy "The Flying Gentleman" Bonjasky is a Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer of Surinamese descent. He is a three-time K-1 World Grand Prix champion, who has won the title in 2003, 2004, and 2008...
.
On 26 September Jerome fought Japanese rival Musashi
Musashi
Musashi may refer to:* Japanese corvette Musashi * Japanese battleship Musashi* Musashi , a 1935 novel by Eiji Yoshikawa* Musashi's, a Japanese feline musical group* Brave Fencer Musashi, a 1998 Playstation video game...
at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final 16. Despite all the injuries Jerome had accumulated over his long K-1 career Jerome knocked down the Japanese veteran to claim a unanimous decision.
In his eleventh appearance at the K-1 World Grand Prix Final Championship he fought Semmy Schilt
Semmy Schilt
Semmy Schilt , also known as Sem Schilt, is a Dutch Ashihara karateka, kickboxer, mixed martial artist and four time K-1 World GP champion. He is the first and only fighter in K-1 history to win the championship three times in a row, and also shares the record with Ernesto Hoost for most GPs won,...
. Jerome lost to Semmy for the 4th time in his career by first round TKO. After the fight Jerome stated that he plans to continue to fight in the World Grand Prix Final even though there was suspicion before the fight that this would be his last World Grand Prix appearance.
Join a Chakuriki Gym
On 2011,Le Banner gets motivation for fight again, joins Chakuriki GymChakuriki Gym
Chakuriki Gym is a kickboxing gym, headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Founded in 1972, it is one of the oldest kickboxing gyms in the Netherlands.-History:...
in Amsterdam. On April 3 at K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Yokohama, Le Banner beat Tyrone Spong
Tyrone Spong
Tyrone "King of The Ring" Spong is a Dutch-Surinamese kickboxer. He is the reigning WFCA Cruiserweight Muay Thai and the former It's Showtime 95MAX World champion, fighting out of Fighting Factory Carbin in Amsterdam, Netherlands....
by unanimous decision.
On Octorber 2, He fought again in the final 16 of the 2010 tournament. Le Banner fought against K-1 Heavyweight Champion Kyotaro in the opening round. After a close three rounds where round one was called a draw, round two was given to Jerome, and round three was given to Kyotaro, the fight was sent to an extra round. Jerome disagreed with the judges ruling on the third round and left the ring.
Jerome LeBanner fought Olympic Judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii
Satoshi Ishii
is a Japanese judoka and mixed martial artist noted for winning a gold medal in Olympic Judo at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China, a silver medal at the 2006 Asian Games and two All-Japan Judo Championships...
in a mixed martial arts rules bout at DREAM's Dynamite!! 2010
Dynamite!! 2010
Dynamite!! 2010 was a mixed martial arts and kickboxing event and the latest in the annual New Year's Eve event promoted by Fighting and Entertainment Group that took place on December 31, 2010 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event included bouts that encompass the DREAM, K-1 and...
New Year's Eve event in Japan. LeBanner had an MMA record of 3-1-1 heading into the fight. However, LeBanner lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Kickboxing and Muaythai
- 2011 I.S.K.A.International Sport Karate AssociationThe International Sport Karate Association is one of the major international bodies regulating karate and kickboxing matches, and is based in the United States...
Freestyle World Super Heavyweight Champion (current) - 2010 W.P.M.F.World Professional Muaythai FederationThe World Professional MuayThai Federation สหพันธ์มวยไทยอาชีพโลก was formed February 2004 by the association of professional boxing of Thailand . The PAT is the only organization officially recognized by the Thai government. The WPMF was founded to promote and support the Muaythai worldwide,...
Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion - 2007 K-1 World Grand Prix FinalK-1 World Grand Prix 2007 FinalK-1 World Grand Prix 2007 Final was a martial arts event held by the K-1 on Saturday December 8, 2007 at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. It was the 15th K-1 World GP Final, the culmination of a year full of regional elimination tournaments...
3rd Place - 2005 W.K.N.World Kickboxing NetworkThe World Kickboxing Network is a professional kick boxing and thai boxing organization and is one of the largest professional sanctioning organizations in the world, represented in more than 100 countries....
Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion (1st title defence) - 2002 K-1 World Grand Prix FinalK-1 World Grand Prix 2002K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final was a kickboxing event promoted by the K-1. The event was held at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan on Saturday, December 7, 2002 in front of 74,500 spectators. It was the tenth K-1 World Grand Prix final, involving ten of the world's top fighters , with all bouts...
Runner Up - 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix in Osaka Champion
- 2000 K-1 World Grand Prix in Nagoya Champion
- 2000 I.S.K.A.International Sport Karate AssociationThe International Sport Karate Association is one of the major international bodies regulating karate and kickboxing matches, and is based in the United States...
Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion (3rd title defence) - 2000 I.S.K.A.International Sport Karate AssociationThe International Sport Karate Association is one of the major international bodies regulating karate and kickboxing matches, and is based in the United States...
Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion (2nd title defence) - 1999 K-1 World Grand Prix FinalK-1 World Grand Prix 1999K-1 Grand Prix '99 Final Round was a martial arts event promoted by the K-1 organization. It was the seventh K-1 World Grand Prix final involving eight of the world's best fighters, with all bouts fought under K-1 Rules. The eight finalists had all qualified via elimination fights at the K-1 World...
3rd Place - 1998 W.K.N.World Kickboxing NetworkThe World Kickboxing Network is a professional kick boxing and thai boxing organization and is one of the largest professional sanctioning organizations in the world, represented in more than 100 countries....
Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion - 1997 I.S.K.A.International Sport Karate AssociationThe International Sport Karate Association is one of the major international bodies regulating karate and kickboxing matches, and is based in the United States...
Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion (1st title defence) - 1996 I.S.K.A.International Sport Karate AssociationThe International Sport Karate Association is one of the major international bodies regulating karate and kickboxing matches, and is based in the United States...
Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion - 1995 K-1 World Grand Prix Final Runner Up
- 1994 I.S.K.A.International Sport Karate AssociationThe International Sport Karate Association is one of the major international bodies regulating karate and kickboxing matches, and is based in the United States...
Full Contact Intercontinental Champion - 1994 R.C.F.A. World Super Heavyweight Champion
- 1994 I.S.K.A.International Sport Karate AssociationThe International Sport Karate Association is one of the major international bodies regulating karate and kickboxing matches, and is based in the United States...
Full Contact European Champion - 1992 I.S.K.A.International Sport Karate AssociationThe International Sport Karate Association is one of the major international bodies regulating karate and kickboxing matches, and is based in the United States...
Full Contact French Champion - 1990 Full Contact French Junior Champion in Gymnase Japy, ParisParisParis is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
Awards
- 2009 Pantheon of Sports and Martial Arts Hall of Fame in Tokyo, Japan
- 2007 K-1 World GP 2007 Final MVP and best fight of the tournament versus Hong-Man Choi
- 1997 Karaté Bushido Magazine Gold Katana of the best Muaythai fighter at 12th Martial arts Festival, ParisParisParis is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, BercyPalais Omnisports de Paris-BercyOpened in 1984, Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, often abbreviated as POPB or Bercy, is an indoor sports arena on boulevard de Bercy located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris...
Professional wrestling
- 2011 IGF Super Luxurious 200 Million Yen Belt Champion (current)
Fight record
| Kickboxing Record | |
|---|---|
| MMA record | |
| Boxing record | |
| Pro Wrestling record | |
Legend: |
|
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Scorpion | Elias | French Major Film |
| 2008 | Astérix aux jeux olympiques | Claudius Cornedurus | French Major Film |
| 2008 | Disco | Rodolphe | French Major Film |
| 2008 | Babylon A.D. | Killa | French Major Film |
| 2010 | Fatal | Hervé Willard | French Major Film |
| 2010 | Bruc. La llegenda | Baraton | Spanish Major Film |
| 2011 | Oubli | Bob | French Short Film |
| Les Mouvements du bassin | Charles | French Major Film (post-production) | |
| 2012 | Les Infidèles | French Major Film | |
| Exterminatus | Orias | French Short Film (post-production) | |
| Braquages | French Major Film | ||
See also
- List of K-1 events
- List of K-1 champions
- List of male kickboxers
- List of kickboxing organizations
External links
- Profile at K-1K-1K-1 is a defunct world-wide kickboxing promotion based in Tokyo, Japan founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a formerKyokushin karate practitioner. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San Shou, kickboxing, western-style boxing, and other martial arts...