Abbreviation WKN Formation October 1994 Region served Worldwide | Motto Simply The Best Founded at France | |
Founders Stephane Cabrera, Olivier Muller, Billy Murray | ||
The World Kickboxing Network (WKN) is a professional Kickboxing organization and is one of the sports largest governing bodies in the world.
Contents
History
WKN was created in late 1994 as a subsidiary of International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) to capture new markets, as ISKA's operations were concentrated in the North American market. But the predominantly American administration of ISKA considered WKN as a threat to its authority. The organizations split in late 1998. Ever since WKN operates as an independent organization. While in late 90's begin of 2000's the other federations competed with each other, the WKN has developed kickboxing on the territories where it practically did not exist. As a result WKN grew, and is active on five continents.
Facts
On September 19, 1998 WKN went in history as the first organization to promote the world championship in Muay Thai at the same event as the boxing world championship. Jérôme Le Banner vs. Espedito Da Silva for the WKN super heavyweight world title in Muay Thai featured in the undercard of Evander Holyfield vs. Vaughn Bean for the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles at Georgia Dome in Atlanta, USA.
On October 22, 2004 WKN made history in kickboxing by promoting the first ever world championship bout in Romania. Samir Mohamed vs. Alexander Kozachenko for WKN super lightweight world title headlined the Eurosport and Pro TV televised event Local Kombat 10 in the city of Brăila. The Local Kombat project evaluated into the Superkombat Fighting Championship, with its winners to date competing for the WKN belts.
On March 15, 2003 WKN made history by promoting the first ever Kickboxing event as well as the world championship bout in Nigeria. Habib Bakir vs. Fernando Loureiro for the WKN lightweight world title headlined the event that took place in the city of Lagos.
Styles
WKN sanctions the championship bouts of the following styles.
Weight Classes
WKN uses the following weight divisions.
Champions
Poland's Cezary Podraza is the first in WKN history world champion. He defeated England's Mark Waters in Katowice. Some of the notable champions are Samir Mohamed, Tyrone Spong, Jerome Le Banner, Batu Khasikov, Nathan Corbett, John Wayne Parr, Artem Levin, Riyadh Al-Azzawi, Jorge Cali, Vladimir Mineev, Andrei Kulebin, Yohan Lidon, Xhavit Bajrami, Dmitry Shakuta, Alexander Ustinov, Daniel Ghiță, Cătălin Moroșanu, Lucian Danilencu, Ionuț Atodiresei, Amancio Paraschiv, Ionuț Iftimoaie, Nicolas Wamba, Siniša Kovačić,Ekaterina Vandaryeva.
Simply The Best (TV Series)
Simply The Best - is the worlds series of international kickboxing events, broadcast by SFR Sport 5 (formerly Kombat Sport).
Season I
Season II
WKN and IVC
WKN and its president Stephane Cabrera represent the International Vale Tudo Championship in Europe, being the pioneer to promote MMA bouts on the continent. The WKN held IVC events in Finland, Spain, Czech Republic, Bosnia and Serbia.
On August 20, 2016 WKN brings IVC back to the international scene by promoting Micheletti Vs. Ortiz for the WKN super cruiserweight world title in the main event of IVC 15 in Sorocaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil.