PunchDrunkGamer.com - UFC, MMA, Kickboxing, Glory, Xbox One, Video Games, PS4, PC and Entertainment Forums

GLORY SPORTS INTERNATIONAL (GSI), the owner and rights holder of the GLORY World Series championship kickboxing promotion and other related businesses, has agreed to terms with Dutch-based competitor, ‘It’s Showtime,’ led by the renowned European fight manager and kickboxing promoter Simon Rutz.

The landmark deal will effectively place all of the world’s top kickboxers, or stand-up fighters, under the same promotional umbrella. GSI will absorb other assets from and take over management of ‘It’s Showtime.’

“This is what the world of stand-up fighting has been waiting for - all the top fighters competing in the same series each time to find out who is really the very best,” said Marcus Luer, Managing Director of GSI. "GLORY World Series will be the ultimate platform and testing ground for these fighters to showcase their talent and skills. It doesn’t get much more exciting than this!

“By adding ‘It’s Showtime,”’ continued Luer, “GLORY has truly established itself as the No. 1 kickboxing league in the world. This is what the fans have been waiting for and we are here to deliver it. GLORY will soon announce a new series of events and a modernized tournament format for the rest of the year and for 2013.

“The matchmaking possibilities will create some amazing fights and fans will truly see the best competing against the best across all weight classes. We are changing the landscape of this global sport.”

Bad news for K-1.

ON the Glory deal, IT’S SHOWTIME CEO Simon Rutz said: “For many years our companies have been fighting each other, having a war of words.

“War, most of the time, is never good. The war stops now. We have sold our company to Glory.

“The reson why is that I strongly believe that Glory is the future. Glory has all of the elements to be number one in the world fighting business.

“Everybody wants to see the best fighters in the world in one team, and now we have it.

“It wasn’t good that we had two competing organisations – 50% of the fighters fighting here, 50% there.

“Now we have the best fighters and the best promoters in the world, and the best audience.

“What was also important was that we found good investors, and now we have that.

“I understand that some people will be wondering what is going on with all of this news.

“But believe me, this is the biggest step in kickboxing history.

“From this moment on, we will see the best fighters fighting each other and not in competition.

“I’m really proud that we can form what I believe will be the best company in world kickboxing history.”

Bas Boon, president of Glory Sports and Golden Glory, added: “We have the best fighters, period. Glory will set a new standard in the kickboxing world.

“The president of Glory Bas Boon thanks Pierre Andurand chairman of Glory and Scott Rudmann of Nectar Capitals. For more information visit the Glory website www.gloryworldseries.com

“Watch out for some spectacular fights in future.”