 |
| Asham |
“I
think it will be a KO in the first round,” said the 42 year-old and Drayton
Valley resident Asham, who works as a equipment operator and truck driver.
“I
predict a short fight,” noted Benesocky, who lives just outside of Slave Lake,
works for Walmart and will turn 41 two days after the April 5th fight. “If Ian
stands with me he will be standing with a hard headed, hard hitting opponent.
If we end up on the ground he will be fighting an opponent with a solid ground
game. My prediction is a TKO win for me at 3:24 seconds of the first round.”
Although
both men predict that the bout won’t make it out of the opening round, both
Asham and Benesocky believe their determination, as well as their skills, are
the keys to their success.
“I'm
just a brawler,” said Asham. “My best skill is the fact that because of my size
people don't expect a lot out of me...I don't know much about Tom other than we
had fought most of the same guys. I think I will have the advantage standing.”
“I
would say I'm well rounded, meaning equal in skills whether fighting stand up
or on the ground,” added Benesocky. “I hit hard, have solid submissions and
have never been knocked down or out. My best asset is my will. Unless locked up
solid I will not give up for any reason.”
“I
know Ian is a big guy and we shook hands once and he wished me good luck,”
furthered Benesocky, who also invited Asham to have a beer with him after the
bout. “I believe my advantage is my will to win and his will break first.”
The
upcoming fight will also mark the first time both Asham and Benesocky have
fought in several years. Asham will be returning to the cage for the first time
since June, 2009, while Benesocky hasn’t fought since November, 2010.
“I
missed the competition and I had been looking for a fight where a couple of
them had fell through,” noted Asham, while discussing his break from fighting.
“Then KOTC offered me a fight so I talked to some friends and decided to take
the fight. Not much is different but the people around me.”
“I
believe my head is for business, my heart is for my family, my back is for work
and my hands are for forging a legacy for my kids and their kids one day,”
Benesocky said. “Fighting in the KOTC is an avenue to do just that and I will
ferociously work towards building that legacy brick by brick or punch by
punch.”
In
fact, the last man Benesocky fought was none other than MMA legend Dan Severn,
who tapped him out with a first round, arm-triangle-choke at KOTC Canada’s 48th
event.
“Fighting
Dan Severn was a great experience. He was the toughest fight I may ever get and
it was an honour to lose to him,” Benesocky said about Severn, who also
submitted Asham in a 2008 bout.
“Two
takeaways from that fight was you can't make any mistakes against a veteran
fighter and you can be a legend in the sport and still be respectful which Dan
was from the weigh ins to the post fight interview,” Benesocky added. “Although
your enemies for a few minutes even enemies can have respect.”
The
April 5th, “Monster Smash” card will be headlined by a welterweight bout
between champion Elmer Waterhen and former champion Garett Davis, and will be
hosted by Edmonton’s Mirage Banquet Hall.
Tickets
for the event can be purchased at the Wild West Shooting Centre or
via Clubzone.com
www.goatpr.com
www.goatpr.com
