Free Agent: Alive and well....

Alexei Ignashov is still very much in kick boxing top five most wanted. The latest round of managerial drama’s and contract signing announcement confirm this. Over the last twenty hours a Dutch source made public that he has signed with Team Hardcore, roguemag.com can confirm that he is still on free lance terms, a free agent.

Henk Kuipers, who owns Team Hardcore—managerial agent for Tyrone Spong coached by legendary Lucien Carbin was supposed to have signed up Ignashov on his team. However after speaking with both Ignashov and his trainer Lollo Heimuli we learn that it is not the case. “Alexei has one fight lined up in Holland on a team Hardcore promotion but we learnt of that recently, very recently. He has not signed with anyone and still a free agent. It is something new to us”. Heimuli, who has been his trainer and mentor over the last year or so was surprised at this,. “There may be people who have dealt with us in the past trying to sign deals on his behalf but that shouldn’t happen. We will have a press release for you soon enough—Alexei is still a free agent”

Ignashov who was named on the 5th October super card in Holland to fight Bjorn Bregy as headline act was surprised at this announcement and made a stern comment, “I have to say I knew nothing of this fight and I have no knowledge of this management deal. I think Dixon (McIver) may have approached them for a deal but I would like to say to anyone only to contact me direct with regards to any fights or contracts. Lollo and I are working well as a team and will do so in the future”. It is yet another twist but an all too familiar name in Dixon McIver, who seems to have a vital link here.

Details aren’t clear on how such a deal or managerial “signing up” would have taken place if Ignashov knows nothing of it. Possibly a case of jumping the gun or is it something more? We have obtained documents which were sent to promoters in Europe, explicitly stating his free lance status. It is consistent with Ignashov’s latest statement. 

Team Hardcore were not available for comment but are expected to do so very shortly.

When roguemag.com contacted McIver he had this to say, “It is best he moves to a recognised team but I don’t think anything has been finalised, if such a deal is to take place in regards to Ignashov being managed”. We will have more on this highly dramatic topsy-turvy tale, for a fighter’s signature. It keeps Ignashov’s brand name and hopes of landing key fights very much alive and well.

The list of names that have managed or potentially want to manage is growing by the day. Igor Jushko, Sergei Sonkin, The man with no name and now Henk Kuipers. Who is next? George Bush?

Don’t be one bit surprised if several other names throw their hand at claiming or wanting to manage the “Red Scorpion”. Maybe Gorbachev or Clinton could make a comeback from retirement, at the rate things are going with so much politics coming into play—it’s best a retired politician look after his affairs.

Team Hardcore boss Henk Kuipers