GLORY 21: Simon Marcus Talks Rematch With Artem Levin, Says Competing Under GLORY Rules is “Catapulting” Skills to Greater Heights
By Kelsey Mowatt
Anyone who has followed kickboxing intently over the years likely understood, that at some point, the stars would align, and Simon Marcus would face Artem Levin for a second time. While the road to their first encounter in 2013 was also filled with hurdles, considering the world class abilities of both middleweights, a rematch was inevitable.
Yes, although “Bad Bwoy’s” path to a rematch with Levin was cut short by Joe Schilling last June, Marcus locked up a bout with the champ last month, by winning a contender tourney at GLORY 20. On that night Marcus worked his way to decision wins over Wayne Barrett and Jason Wilnis, and as a result, he’ll face Levin at GLORY 21 on May 8th.
“You prepare for it like you would any title fight,” Marcus said on a recent episode of Full Contact Fighter’s podcast, when asked how he’s preparing to face Levin, now two years removed his decision win over the Russian star. “You do your best to make sure you’re at the top of your game. Personally, I don’t necessarily focus on my opponent as much. I’ve learned from past experiences what I need to work on, so I’ve been working on those areas and I’m just trying to go into the ring with my A game.”
Since the two fought at Lion Fight 9, the 28 year-old Marcus has gone 11-2-1. The 28 year-old Levin, on the other hand, has put together a 12-1 run.
“I know when I’m on my A game I’m unstoppable and I come out victorious,” the Canadian-Jamaican fighter added. “So that’s what you’ll see and that’s what I’ve been preparing for as always.”
Following GLORY’s announcement that it had signed Marcus to a deal last year, there was widespread debate, on how the decorated Muay Thai fighter would perform under the promotion’s rules. Unlike Muay Thai bouts, GLORY prohibits the use of elbows and sweeps, and limits how long a fighter can clinch.
Since Marcus faced Levin under the Lion Fighter banner, which is a Muay Thai organization, questions regarding how this will affect their rematch remain.
“No man. Actually I love it,” said Marcus, when asked if he’s grown tired of the questions regarding his ability to compete under GLORY’s rules, versus Muay Thai’s. “It’s like, I don’t know how to say this, it’s like a basketball player that someone says can only shoot, but that player knows he can drive you know?”
“People can think what they want, but when the fight happens, and when I defeat these opponents at their own game, they’re going to have a different idea,” furthered the Toronto based fighter. “So, it’s temporary when I hear that, and it doesn’t bother me at all. It is somewhat true that I was dominating with my clinch with a lot of my opponents, and the crossover to kickboxing has only elevated my game. It forces me to get better in areas that I haven’t had to use as much in the past…it’s catapulting me to be an even greater fighter.”
GLORY 21 will be hosted by the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. The main card will be broadcast on SPIKE.