In yet another investigative first ROGUE got an exclusive insight into “Iggy’s world” at present and got the run down of what this champion in the waiting had to tell us. In Iggy’s case size does matter and it will be a matter of size when it comes down to who he signs with.

Alexei at present is fighting out of Balmoral Lee Gar, under champion trainer Lollo Heimuli. They are all happy with things and progress has been significant. The gap however is the ring time, and to be honest as far as Kiwiland is concerned there are only a handful of opponents who good enough for Ignashov. His experience and sheer class is something of a novelty for most of our heavy weight pro’s. We caught up with the “Scorpion King” as he was being put through his paces by conditioning coach Dallas Tipau @ club 135, a plush inner city location.  

ROGUE reliably learns that his contract with the K-1 which expired on the 1st of December is now under review. What’s more his manager, Igor Jushko at present is in negotiations with the fighter for a fresh term as his agent. When we popped the question to Lollo, who is no stranger to champions in both boxing and Kick Boxing, he was adamant that the interest at present is only to his training and not managerial side! He just recently parted company with former Pan African and regional pro boxing champion Shane “Mountain Warrior” Cameron.

 “I am only his trainer and I am a free agent, it’s up to Alexei to decide what he wants to do with his career. He only has one career and he has to choose what and where he wants to go. If he wishes to pursue the K1 then he is free to move on. At the moment we have a very good training regime setup and he is enjoying it”. Ignashov has indeed indicated to ROGUE that he strongly wishes to remain in the Balmoral camp for obvious reasons. What’s more Lollo adds that he will not change too much in the existing methods, but simply to add on to what has worked for him over the years. “Andrea did a great job with him, so I am just making him better from the fighter he is and move on to be more dangerous”.

What’s more the trust between the two seem to be top notch, with the duo being present at more than a handful of outings, where we spotted them chatting away and sharing few pleasantries. “I have trained so many champs, but never has a single one invited me to their place for a dinner, Alexei was kind enough and did so inside the space of weeks. We know where we stand and I am happy with the way things have gone”

The demand for the Red Scorpions signature is very high. We reliably understand that the K-1 has repeatedly made attempts to get him on board, but the issue of Jushko and terms of business seem to be in the way. ROGUE fully respects Ignashov’ confidentiality and when he is prepared and allows us to publish the “history” between himself and the estranged manager, we will. Seemingly there is and has been some turbulence and it points to numbers and dollars on the contract which was negotiated and signed for Alexei.

Dixon McIver and the KO World series have signed him up for their upcoming events and there is no exclusivity the KO league. This indeed leaves the door open for an appearance on the K-1 circuit. ROGUE questioned McIver on whether he is the present manager and denied it saying “Alexei is self managed at the moment”. It certainly will be tough for a guy who finds it hard to communicate in English, train full time and manage his own affairs.

So we thought it best to get it from the Scorpions mouth….

Q. So how is your training at the moment and give us and the fans an update please?
A. Things are very good and I am confident. I just need to have more fights so I can get back in to it one by one. Yeah, things are very good- I am happy with my training and I know I am ready to fight again

Q. You have Jason Retti first then Greg Tony in the KO WS next? What are your thoughts on both fights?
A. December fight is more to get back in the ring so that’s a good start for me- I want more fights. GT- I know GT, he is my friend and he is a good guy. I know his style and I think I will have a good win, maybe KO- we see how it goes

Q. Who is managing Alexei Ignashov at the moment?
A. Lollo is my trainer and he is great! I am negotiating with Igor (Jushko) at the moment, but if it Fails I will self manage my affairs. I have big plans and want more fights; if Igor and my negotiation fail I will approach K1 first and then see how it is

Q. So K-1 or KO, what is your preference?
A. I have a huge history with K-1 and I have beaten most of the present day fighters, I would like to be with K-1 but with KO they are giving me more fights, I want more fights so we will see how it goes- right now I want to get back in the ring

Q. How come the K-1 didn’t give you any fights of lately?
A. Ahh, that’s a problem with my manager and there is a lot of history to it. I am working on it at the moment with a proposal, but you know it is a long story, I will let you know when I can and ready to talk about it!

Q. Has Dixon and the KO approached you to manage affairs for you?
A. Yes there is a proposal, like I said I am looking at every option- I am open to all and want the best deal for me, I need more fights!

Q. So Dixon McIver could be your manager?
A. No, not at the moment- I am entertaining all proposals; I want what’s best for my career

Q. Any message for the fans out there?
A. Thank you for the support, you will see me come back very soon, better than I was ever, much better. This will be just the beginning!

Q. So K-1 Champ someday?
A. Why Not! I will be champion soon!

There you go, and you can see how itchy Iggy is for a fight. Lollo seems to have added a new dimension to his game, and the body language seems to be good for the moment. It’s amazing how these two connect, even though Alexei isn’t scholarly with his oral (and I would suspect written) English, the communication is very evident. Maybe Lollo has taught Ignashov some fluent Tongan!

Like we said in the openly professional era of fighting in the prize ring, and the information age where pretty much every thing be it good, bad or ugly is recoverable; people must be very careful on how and what they do. In this case a managerial dispute, which could seemingly drag down a fighter’s career, could be played out over time. Does this benefit anyone? Most probably not the fighter and the fans who wish to see him fight. Alleged dirty deeds can be hidden in the closet but you can’t hide them forever, especially with ROGUE. They are often surfaced and you the readership can make up your own minds after we report.

As a very democratic and impartial publication, we contacted Igor Jushko via email for his thoughts and comments but he has made no comment. We look forward to his version of events and where things are wit these negotiations of the scorpion-king. A reliable source in Europe has indeed gone on record, as to say that “Ignashov should go back to Igor and get his career back on track- that is the only way he can get to achieve his true potential”.

Furthermore details have unearthed of how this whole managerial drama has evolved and the relocation of Ignashov to New Zealand took place. Once upon a time when matchmakers, promoters and managers were all “happy families”, now it is not so. Time and money exchanging hands and bizarre clauses in contracts, outrageous fortunes in percentages for merely setting up a fight or three inside a few years has led to all this. It’s difficult to get away with a merchant of Venice like contract, where someone is a Shylock and you can’t get a pound of flesh without a drop of blood.  All will be revealed in time to come, you will only get it on ROGUE!

Parting shots:
It is very interesting that all parties concerned have treated Ignashov on a free agent basis. Not many will choose to do that. Whoever ends up managing Alexei will no doubt, do well for them as he is heading into the peak of his career. Whilst the cast of the K-1 superstars seem to be aging and stagnating to a certain level with nothing spectacular taking place in stand up leagues world wide, the time is right for Ignashov to re-enter with a bang.

The one man who stormed to a hat-trick of wins at the K-1 in Sem Schilt knows very well the power of the Red Scorpion. Some may say that was so long ago, but do keep in mind that Alexei is supposed to have become a better fighter! To put it into perspective, if the KO World Series takes off and he wins the first ever title, we could someday see a unification bout of the K-1 and K-O? Having said that if I were the K-1, I would sign up Ignashov right now with a massive relocation bonus and preserve him so inside the next two years no one would even come close to his skills!