Zurk Ready To Fight Again 10/3/12
By: Scott Leber
Updated: October 3, 2012
Roscoe, Illinois-It'll be a who's who of great Rockford fighters stepping into the cage Saturday at the BMO Harris Bank Center for the Rumble On Elm Street. All the big names will be there including one big name from the past.
Get ready for the rebirth of Zurkamania.
"Everyone's excited. They want new Zurkamania shirts," said Tim Mazurkiewicz.
Mazurkiewicz is known as 'Zurk' by his fans. They haven't seen him fight since 2003. He's out to show that at age 40 that his fighting spirit still lives along with his quick moves.
"I've broken a few noses with that one," said Mazurkiewicz after delivering a punishing punch to a heavy bag after a quick spin move.
Zurk has seven championship belts as a kickboxer. He won six national titles and one world title during his career. He also won boxing's gold gloves. But fans remember him best as the guy who got his start by winning the Rockford Toughman competition in 1998. Not bad for a former Air Force guy who never dreamed of being a fighter.
"It went far beyond my expectations. I was going to school to be a lawyer and I ended up being a kickboxer," said Mazurkiewicz.
Zurk has rounded back into shape working out with Team Green at Todd Green's gymnasium in Boone County.
"He's definitely coming along. He looks real good," said Green. "He's got a lot of snap in his right hand."
Zurk has dropped 65 pounds since he started working out again. Part of his motivation is his kids.
"My kids have never seen me in shape, so now it's like 'Daddy's in shape.' I used to have a beer belly."
Zurk won't be fighting just for himself and his kids Saturday. He'll be fighting to inspire a generation that's starting to get up there in years.
"I've been inspiring a lot of people to that over 40 group. They're saying win one for the old guys."
Mazurkiewicz will have a kickboxing match against another local fighter Saturday Chris Appleton of Rockford.
Mean Mike LaBree will fight in the main event Saturday against 6'7 Rick McGraw of Southern Illinois. Andrew Navickis and Josh LaBree are also scheduled on the fight card.
The doors at the BMO will open at 5pm Saturday. The fighting will begin at 5:30. The Rumble Series began ten years ago under Sky Drysdale. Todd Green now runs the series. The sanctioning body for the card is Rockford's Kage Concepts which is owned by Clay Goodman.
Get ready for the rebirth of Zurkamania.
"Everyone's excited. They want new Zurkamania shirts," said Tim Mazurkiewicz.
Mazurkiewicz is known as 'Zurk' by his fans. They haven't seen him fight since 2003. He's out to show that at age 40 that his fighting spirit still lives along with his quick moves.
"I've broken a few noses with that one," said Mazurkiewicz after delivering a punishing punch to a heavy bag after a quick spin move.
Zurk has seven championship belts as a kickboxer. He won six national titles and one world title during his career. He also won boxing's gold gloves. But fans remember him best as the guy who got his start by winning the Rockford Toughman competition in 1998. Not bad for a former Air Force guy who never dreamed of being a fighter.
"It went far beyond my expectations. I was going to school to be a lawyer and I ended up being a kickboxer," said Mazurkiewicz.
Zurk has rounded back into shape working out with Team Green at Todd Green's gymnasium in Boone County.
"He's definitely coming along. He looks real good," said Green. "He's got a lot of snap in his right hand."
Zurk has dropped 65 pounds since he started working out again. Part of his motivation is his kids.
"My kids have never seen me in shape, so now it's like 'Daddy's in shape.' I used to have a beer belly."
Zurk won't be fighting just for himself and his kids Saturday. He'll be fighting to inspire a generation that's starting to get up there in years.
"I've been inspiring a lot of people to that over 40 group. They're saying win one for the old guys."
Mazurkiewicz will have a kickboxing match against another local fighter Saturday Chris Appleton of Rockford.
Mean Mike LaBree will fight in the main event Saturday against 6'7 Rick McGraw of Southern Illinois. Andrew Navickis and Josh LaBree are also scheduled on the fight card.
The doors at the BMO will open at 5pm Saturday. The fighting will begin at 5:30. The Rumble Series began ten years ago under Sky Drysdale. Todd Green now runs the series. The sanctioning body for the card is Rockford's Kage Concepts which is owned by Clay Goodman.
