From the Vault: Jerome Le Banner v. Ernesto Hoost

Welcome to From the Vault - a new series at Head Kick Legend focused on classic fights from kickboxing's past. With more and more fans discovering kickboxing every day, this series aims to revisit some of the sport's greatest fights.

ERNESTO HOOST v. JEROME LE BANNER
December 7, 2002
K-1 Grand Prix Finals

Heading into the 2009 Grand Prix Finals, one man who is not receiving much media attention is Final 8 competitor Jerome Le Banner. Viewed as little more than a minor hurdle for Schilt to overcome before making the semi-finals, Le Banner is in the midst of a serious rough patch, going 2-4 in his last 6 fights. But as any old school fan can tell you, it hasn't always been this way for Le Banner. Once considered one of the K-1 elite, Le Banner is still one of the most popular fighters in the sport, and has earned that popularity through years of hard work. Today we look back at a very different time for Le Banner.

In the 2002 Grand Prix finals, Le Banner was on an unbelievable roll, having only lost once in his last 19 fights in an upset to Mark Hunt at last year's Grand Prix. In the Final 16, Le Banner easily dispatched Gary Goodridge with a one round KO. From there, he continued his dominance, defeating the man he would later retire in 2009, Musashi in the quarter finals by TKO and gaining revenge on his rival Mark Hunt in a hard fought decision in the semi-finals. As he stepped into the ring for the final bout of the evening, it seemed that his destiny had finally come. The time was now for the wildly popular, seven year K-1 veteran to finally take the crown that everyone knew he would one day hold.

His opponent that night had taken a much more winding road to the finals. "Mr. Perfect" Ernesto Hoost was one of the most decorated fighters in K-1 history. But the three time Grand Prix champion had fallen on hard times, drawing against Semmy Schilt in October before squaring off with the still feared Bob Sapp at the Final 16. At their Final 16 meeting, Sapp defeated Hoost, effectively ending his shot at the 2002 Grand Prix title. Luckily for Hoost, when Final 8 competitor Schilt went down with an injury, Hoost received the call up, and was faced up against Sapp again in the Final 8. In the rematch, Hoost lost again, eliminated for the 2nd time from the Grand Prix. Yet again, injuries pushed Hoost forward as Sapp dropped out. After defeating Ray Sefo in the semi-finals, Ernesto Hoost was in the unlikely spot of 2002 Grand Prix finalist, despite being eliminated twice already in the tournament.

With Le Banner on a roll, and Hoost having his problems, this looked like JLB's time.

Video after the jump

As would later be revealed, Hoost's initial kick in round 3 shattered Le Banner's arm in a near career ending injury that required extensive surgery. Particularly heartbreaking for Le Banner and his fans is that he was clearly on his way to winning before the injury.  For JLB, this injury would have far reaching consequences, as he has never fully recovered and reached the same level of success before the injury.  For Hoost too this marked the end of his run at the top, as the long time veteran eased into a lighter schedule after this win, retiring in 2006.

Perhaps this is not the best fight ever in K-1 - there are moments especially in round 2 where the action gets a bit plodding. But for a sheer display of technical skill and heart, it's hard to beat.  Look at the pinpoint accuracy from Hoost in Round 3 as he targets the injured arm.  And look at Le Banner, continuing to fight despite undoubtedly being in incredible pain.  He clearly can't win, but he keeps trying.  It's an amazing showing, even in defeat.

This year, Le Banner's chances are very slim in the Grand Prix.  But if he somehow can pull off a win, it surely would be one of the most emotional Grand Prix victories in K-1 history.