The single 'strangest story' in the history of kickboxing has to be Bob's 'The Beast' Sapp's Two Underdog Tko wins against one of the best strikers in the world.
In the late nineties to the beginning of 2000, two men stood over the supreme as the Consensus Best Kickboxers in the world – Mirko 'CRO COP' Filipovic and Ernesto 'Mr. Perfectly 'HOOST.
HOOST had surpassed 'Cro Cop' three times between 1996 and 2000; Prior to their fourth confrontation in the final elimination of the K-1 World Grand Prix 2002, the Croatian withdrew with injury … no one saw what happened next.
Photo by foc kan/wireimage
Bob Sapp vs Ernesto Hoost called the 'strangest story' in kickboxing
Lumbing in, because the replacement of the Late Notice Bob was 'The Beast' Sapp, who only had two professional kickboxing on his record (one victory, one loss)-this would certainly be an easy victory for 86-16-1 former champion Hoost, right? Wrong.
Although he weighed more than 100 pounds than HOOST and with essentially no kickboxing experience compared to the then triple world champion, SAPP was convinced that he would score the Underdog upset.
On October 5, 2002, the two finally closed the horns, with SAPP who immediately ran over the ring and used his huge frame to put pressure against the ropes before they unload a hail shower of bumps.
The combinations of SAPP had opened one, two – too many cuts around Hoost's face for the doctor of the Ringsside, who waved out of the match between rounds for what was the biggest upset that the promotion had ever seen.
While SAPP was proclaimed the winner via the first round of TKO, Hoost argued that 'The Beast' had committed several mistakes that the civil servant had missed; The promotion moved to book the Rematch for December.
The most shocking upset in the history of kickboxing continues
The Dutch superstar was determined to take revenge and made a strong start in the Rematch, so SAPP dropped to the body with a slick combination early in the first round.
Nevertheless, the lightning struck again in the second, with SAPP Conning Hoost and unleashed a flurry of clubs around his guard – the former champion eventually crumbled under the pressure, where SAPP scored a second consecutive TKO victory.
Ironically, Sapp would later withdraw from the same tournament, with reference to exhaustion and a broken hand; He was replaced by Hoost, who then won the final.
HOOST got his wish and the two fought again two months later on December 7 during the Grand Prix Tournament Finals. HOOST was determined to correct his mistake and dropped Sapp early with a body shot. SAPP recovered and gave the favor back and then ended with a barrage of … pic.twitter.com/wtqn393g24
– Glory Kickboxing (@glory_WS) March 18, 2025
View tweet
In the years that followed, Hoost would continue to claim the success of the world championship, while SAPP dropped to 12-19 when a professional kickboker-Die only served to emphasize the insanity who were his two victories over the Lord 'Mr. Perfect'.
As approved by Glory Kickboxing: “To this day, Kickboxing fans still don't know how Sapp Hoost beats twice.
“Many consider Bob Sapp as among the worst hunters as ever participating in a Grand Prix tournament, and many consider Hoost as one of the best. Yet Sapp Hoost beats … twice.”
Comments