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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, August 4, 2008

Hose looks ahead to 'big fight'

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Wai'anae's Kala Kolohe Hose, top, defeated Alaska's Rolando Dominique via second-round knockout on Saturday at the Blaisdell Arena, and could meet New York's Phil Baroni on Icon Sport's next card.

GREG HONDA | Icon Spot

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Wai'anae's Kala Kolohe Hose is apparently tuned up.

After a knockout victory over Alaska's Rolando Dominique on Saturday, Hose is expected to fight for a championship again in his next bout.

"Kala's back," Icon Sport matchmaker Patrick Freitas said. "He showed that knockout power that brought him the title. We'd definitely like to see him in a big fight for our November card."

Hose beat Dominique in the second round in the main event of the Icon Sport: Hard Times mixed martial arts card at the Blaisdell Center Arena to improve to 7-2.

Hose is the Icon Sport organization's middleweight (185 pounds) world champion, but his title was not on the line Saturday. It was his second consecutive non-title bout.

Freitas said Hose could defend his middleweight title in November, or fight for a championship at a lighter weight division.

Saturday's bout against Dominique was at 180 pounds. Hose said before the bout that he would like to hold titles in both the middleweight and welterweight (170 pounds) divisions.

Freitas said the top contender to face Hose could be New York's Phil Baroni.

Hose beat Baroni for the middleweight championship in March.

On Saturday, Baroni defeated Waipahu's Ron Verdadero via knockout, and then "called out" Hose for a rematch.

"I think a lot of people want to see a Baroni-Kala rematch in November," Freitas said. "But nothing is set or signed. We'll see what can be worked out."

Also on Saturday's card, Bao Quach of California beat Pearl City's Mark Oshiro via unanimous decision to win the North American championship in the bantamweight (140) division.

Freitas said both Quach and Oshiro will remain in the future plans for Icon Sport.

"I think we can bring Bao Quach back; his wrestling and ground work is so good," Freitas said. "And Mark will be fine with us. He took a loss against a top-notch opponent, but the fans loved his performance."

In another potential bout for the November card, Freitas said Po'ai Suganuma of the Big Island could face California's Jeremy Williams for a light heavyweight (205) championship.

However, Suganuma is scheduled to fight on Aug. 15 in California, so it could depend on his performance there.

"This last card (on Saturday) was kind of low-key — we wanted to get Kala back on a winning track," Freitas said. "But we're definitely looking at a bigger event for November."

K-1 EVENT ON SATURDAY AT STAN SHERIFF CENTER

The K-1 World Grand Prix in Hawai'i card is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The highlight of the card is an eight-man heavyweight tournament. The winner of the tournament will earn a spot at the K-1 World Grand Prix finals later this year in Japan.

Hawai'i entries in the tournament are Wesley "Cabbage" Correira of Hilo, and Chris West of Honolulu.

Other entries include Siala Mou Siliga (known as "Mighty Mo"), and Eric "Butterbean" Esch. Siliga won last year's K-1 tournament in Hawai'i.

Also on the card, Kailua's Scott Junk is scheduled to face Korea's Min Soo Kim in a "Super Fight."

K-1 heavyweight champion Badr Hari of Morocco is scheduled to face Domagoj Ostojic of Croatia in the main "Super Fight."

All bouts on the card will follow modified kickboxing rules, so there will be no grappling.

Ticket prices range from $30 to $200, and are available at the Sheriff Center box office.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.