jewels that is" says Tonkin. "He also manages to win just about every judges' decision he fights to, so unless LeBanner manages to put him away early in the first fight, it is going to be very tough to beat him."

"Bonjasky has put a recent slump behind him and should edge past LeBanner," says Tim Leidecker of Germany's GroundAndPound. "I think Bonjasky and Aerts are poised to meet in the final, with the "Flying Gentleman" getting revenge for last year's semifinal exit at the hands and feet of Aerts, to win his third K-1 World GP Final."

Castagnini sees it another way: "LeBanner very hungry and aggressive and based on Bonjasky's last performance, LeBanner should be too strong. Could this be Jerome's year?"

According to Brice Hoarau of France's MuayThaiTV, it definitely is: "I think this could be 'LeBanner Time'! Not because he's a better fighter, not because he has more power, not because his skills are better -- because objectively Bonjasky is the best technician in the tournament. It will be 'LeBanner Time' only because he wants it more! In Aerts' bracket I don't think the finalist will finish two fights without injuries, but if LeBanner fights in the final he will be at 130%! His iron mind will give him the victory this year!"


And there we have it. Significant support for Hari, Bonjasky and LeBanner, but a clear majority predicting the indefatigable veteran Peter Aerts will battle through the field to victory in the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 Final.

Also strongly in Aerts' favor is an ongoing fan poll on the K-1 Japanese Website. At time of writing, Aerts has garnered a commanding 47% of votes for pick to win; while Bonjasky, LeBanner and Hari trail with 13-15% each and the other four hopefuls share the remaining 10%.

But no matter how many dozens of sportswriters or thousands of fans believe Aerts will win the K-1 World GP; there remain seven men possessed of very different opinions. And at the Yokohama Arena on December 6, those seven men will lace up their gloves and step into the ring determined to prove a lot of people wrong.

For comprehensive coverage of the K-1 World Grand Prix Final visit the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp)