Jérôme Le Banner

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Jérôme Le Banner
Born	December 26, 1972 (1972-12-26) (age 37) Le Havre, France
Other names	Geronimo, Hyper Battle Cyborg
Nationality	France
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight	120 kg (260 lb; 19 st)
Style	Kickboxing Muay Thai]
Stance	Southpaw
Fighting out of	Étretat, Seine-Maritime, France
Team	Le Banner Xtream Team, Fairtex Pattaya
Years active	1990–present
Boxing record
Total	6
Wins	6
By knockout	5
Losses	0
Kickboxing record
Total	95
Wins	75
By knockout	59
Losses	18
By knockout	10
Draws	1
No contests	1
MMA record
Total	5
Wins	3
By knockout	3
Losses	1
By submission	1
Draws	1
Other information
Official website
Boxing record from Boxrec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: December 5, 2009

Jérôme "Geronimo" Le Banner (born December 26, 1972), also known as "Hyper Battle Cyborg" or "The Bulldog of Normandy" is a French professional kickboxer and K-1 superstar, famous for his aggressive fighting style and knockout power.^[1].

Contents 1 Biography and career 2 Titles 3 Fight Record 4 See also 5 External links 6 References

[edit] Biography and career

Jérôme Le Banner was born in the French city of Le Havre, in the région of Normandy. Le Banner started training judo at the age of 6. When he was 14, Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury influenced him so much that he started practicing karate instead, while trying to incorporate techniques of Jeet Kune Do he had seen in the film. Jeet Kune Do gave him southpaw stance, which he has maintained throughout his career, even though he is right-handed.^[2]

At the age of 18, he debuted in his first Full Contact Kickboxing competitions. By 20 he held the ISKA French title and soon after that, he won the European belt against Stéphane Reveillon, and the Intercontinental belt in South Africa against Mike Bernardo.

On March 3, 1995, Jerome Le Banner made his K-1 debut, winning a five-round decision over Nokveed Devy. Two months later, on May 4, 1995 he made his first K-1 World Grand Prix appearance in Tokyo, Japan, knocking out both Masaaki Satake and Mike Bernardo, before losing to Peter Aerts in tournament finals.

On December 7, 2002 at K-1 World Grand Prix 2002, after defeating Musashi in the quarterfinals, and Mark Hunt in the semis, Le Banner faced three-time World Champion Ernesto Hoost in the tournament final. Following an evenly fought first two rounds, Hoost shattered Le Banner's arm with three round kicks in the third. Despite suffering near career-ending injury (a steel rod and eleven pins were inserted into his shattered arm^[3]), Le Banner was able to recover and returned to the ring six months later in K-1 Paris 2003, winning the fight by punch combinations over Belarusian Vitali Akhramenko.

On December 2, 2006, after his loss against Semmy Schilt at K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 finals, Le Banner announced his semi retirement from tournament fighting, restricting future appearances to K-1's Superfight events.

In early 2007, after his fight at K-1 World GP 2007 in Yokohama he was forced to have a knee surgery and was not expected to return to the ring until 2008; however due to a fast recovery K-1 announced that Le Banner will participate on September 29, 2007 at the K-1 World GP 2007 in Seoul Final 16 against Russian kickboxer Ruslan Karaev. Just two days before the fight, Karaev had to pull out and was replaced by a former Korean Taekwondo practitioner, Yong Soo Park. It took Le Banner only 0'54" seconds to knock out Park in the first round by straight punch and qualify himself for K-1 World GP 2007 Final held in December 8, 2007 held at the Yokohama Arena, Japan.^[4]

On December 8, 2007, in his ninth K-1 World GP appearance of his career, Le Banner defeated Choi Hong Man in the quarter-finals by unanimous decision before facing the reigning K-1 champion Semmy Schilt in semis. Le Banner finished the first round up on scorecards. In the beginning of the second round Schilt landed a low kick that seemed to hurt Le Banner's right knee, which he had surgery on in early 2007. The fight was eventually stopped by Le Banner's corner throwing in the towel to avoid further damage to an injured knee.

Jerome fought Schilt again at the K-1 World GP 2008 in Fukuoka for the K-1 Super-Heavyweight title. Jerome ended up losing a controversial majority decision.

As a finalist Jerome fought at the K-1 World GP 2008 Final 16 against young Japanese fighter, Junichi Sawayashiki. Although Jerome was unable to knock the young fighter out he won a unanimous decision. At the Finals Jerome lost by TKO to the eventual champion Remy Bonjasky.

On September 26 Jerome fought Japanese rival Musashi at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final 16. Despite all the injuries Jerome had accumilated over his long K-1 career Jerome knocked down the Japanese veteran to claim a unanimous decision. In his eleventh appearance at the K-1 World Grand Prix Final Championship he fough Semmy Schilt. Jerome lost to Semmy for the 4th time in his career by first round TKO. After the fight Jerome stated that he plans to continue to fight in the World Grand Prix Final even though there was suspicion before the fight that this would be his last World Grand Prix appearance.^[5]

[edit] Titles

• 2002 K-1 World Grand Prix Runner Up
• 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix in Osaka Champion
• 2000 K-1 World Grand Prix in Nagoya Champion
• 1996 I.S.K.A. World Super Heavyweight Thaiboxing Champion
• 1995 K-1 World Grand Prix Runner Up
• W.K.N. World Muay Thai Super Heavyweight Champion
• French & European Kickboxing Champion

[edit] Fight Record

Kickboxing Record
75 Wins (59 (T)KO's, 16 decisions), 18 Losses, 1 Draw, 1 No contest Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time 2009-12-05 Loss Semmy Schilt K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final Yokohama, Japan TKO (Ref. Stop/two knockdowns) 1 1:27 2009-09-26 Win Musashi K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final 16 Seoul, South Korea Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2009-03-28 Loss Ewerton Teixeira K-1 World GP 2009 in Yokohama Yokohama, Japan 2 Ext R. Decision (Split) 5 3:00 2008-12-06 Loss Remy Bonjasky K-1 World GP 2008 Final Yokohama, Japan TKO (Arm injury) 2 0:53 2008-09-27 Win Junichi Sawayashiki K-1 World GP 2008 Final 16 Seoul, Korea Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2008-06-29 Loss Semmy Schilt K-1 World GP 2008 in Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan Decision (Majority) 3 3:00 Fight was for K-1 Super Heavyweight title. 2007-12-08 Loss Semmy Schilt K-1 World GP 2007 Final Yokohama, Japan TKO (Leg injury) 2 1:02 2007-12-08 Win Choi Hong-man K-1 World GP 2007 Final Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2007-09-29 Win Yong Soo Park K-1 World GP 2007 in Seoul Final 16 Seoul, Korea KO (Right punch) 1 0:54 2007-03-04 Loss Junichi Sawayashiki K-1 World GP 2007 in Yokohama Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2006-12-02 Loss Semmy Schilt K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2006-09-30 Win Choi Hong-man K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Osaka Opening Round Osaka, Japan Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00 2006-05-13 Win Remy Bonjasky K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Split) 3 3:00 2005-11-19 Loss Peter Aerts K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 Tokyo, Japan Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00 2005-09-23 Win Gary Goodridge K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Osaka - Final Elimination Osaka, Japan TKO (Three knockdowns) 1 2:13 2005-07-02 Win Dimitry Podgaisky Le Grand Tournoi 2005 Paris, France KO (Right hook) 1 1:49 2005-05-27 Win Cyril Abidi K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Paris Paris, France TKO (Referee stoppage) 5 2:53 2005-04-30 Win Oliver van Damme Post Tenebra Cup 2005 Geneva, Switzerland KO (Left hook) 1 Retains WKA World Super Heavyweight title. 2004-12-04 Win Hiromi Amada K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 Tokyo, Japan KO (Low kicks) 2 1:03 2004-09-25 Loss Francois Botha K-1 World GP 2004 in Tokyo Tokyo, Japan TKO (Corner stoppage) 3 3:00 2004-07-17 Win Terrence Reasby K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Seoul Seoul, Korea KO (Knee strike) 1 0:53 2003-09-21 Win Shaka Zulu K-1 Survival 2003 Japan Grand Prix Final Yokohama, Japan KO (Right low kick) 2 1:10 2003-06-14 Win Vitali Akhramenko K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Paris Paris, France KO (Right punch) 2 0:28 2002-12-07 Loss Ernesto Hoost K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Tokyo, Japan KO (Right mid-kicks) 3 1:26 Fight was for K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 title. 2002-12-07 Win Mark Hunt K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Tokyo, Japan Decision 3 3:00 2002-12-07 Win Musashi K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Tokyo, Japan KO (Punches) 2 0:51 2002-12-07 Win Gary Goodridge K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Elimination Tokyo, Japan KO (Right cross) 1 0:42 2002-08-28 Win Don Frye PRIDE Shockwave Tokyo, Japan KO (Right hook) 1 1:30 2002-07-06 Win Sinisa Andrijasevic France TKO (Corner stoppage) 4 2:00 Retains ISKA Full-contact World Heavyweight title. 2002-05-25 Win Mark Hunt K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Paris Paris, France TKO (Corner stoppage) 2 3:00 2002-03-03 Win Hiromi Amada K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Nagoya Nagoya, Japan KO (Right punch) 1 1:42 2001-12-08 Loss Mark Hunt K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final Tokyo, Japan KO (Right hook) 2 2:32 2001-08-19 Win Marc de Wit K-1 Andy Memorial 2001 Japan GP Final Saitama, Japan KO (Right cross) 2 1:45 2001-06-24 Win Stefan Leko K-1 Survival 2001 Sendai, Japan Decision 5 3:00 2001-04-29 Win Adam Watt K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Osaka Osaka, Japan KO (Punch rush) 1 0:46 Wins K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Osaka tournament. 2001-04-29 Win Ebenezer Braga K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Osaka Osaka, Japan KO (Left punch) 1 1:03 2001-04-29 Win Pavel Majer K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Osaka Osaka, Japan KO (Left punch) 1 2:15 2001-03-17 NC Mike Bernardo K-1 Gladiators 2001 Yokohama, Japan No Contest 1 3:00 2000-07-30 Win Ernesto Hoost K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Nagoya Nagoya, Japan TKO (Corner stoppage) 1 3:00 Wins K-1 World GP 2000 in Nagoya tournament. 2000-07-30 Win Nicholas Pettas K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Nagoya Nagoya, Japan TKO (Referee stoppage) 1 3:00 2000-07-30 Win Mark Hunt K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Nagoya Nagoya, Japan Decision 3 3:00 2000-07-13 Win Shawn Johnson ISKA Championship Kickboxing Las Vegas, NV KO (Left cross) 1 Retains ISKA Full-contact World Heavyweight title. 2000-05-28 Win Jan Nortje K-1 Survival 2000 Sapporo, Japan KO (Left hook) 1 1:07 2000-04-23 Win Francisco Filho K-1 The Millennium Osaka, Japan KO (Left punch) 1 2:02 2000-03-17 Win Paris Vassilikos ISKA Championship Kickboxing Las Vegas, NV KO (Right hook) 2 1:09 Retains ISKA Full-contact World Heavyweight title. 1999-12-05 Loss Ernesto Hoost K-1 World Grand Prix 1999 Tokyo, Japan KO (Right hook) 2 0:26 1999-12-05 Win Peter Aerts K-1 World Grand Prix 1999 Tokyo, Japan KO (Left hook) 1 1:11 1999-10-05 Win Matt Skelton K-1 World GP 1999 Final Elimination Osaka, Japan KO (Right hook) 1 1:59 1999-09-19 Win Espedito da Silva WKN World Championship Kickboxing Atlanta, GA KO (Right hook) 1 Wins vacant WKN World Muay Thai Super Heavyweight title. 1999-02-27 Win Rob van Esdonk Les Stars Du Ring Marseilles, France 1998-07-18 Win Sam Greco K-1 Dreams 1998 Japan KO (Right hook) 2 2:07 1998-05-24 Win Zijad Poljo K-1 Braves 1998 Japan TKO (Ref. stop/left cross) 3 2:52 1997-11-09 Loss Ernesto Hoost K-1 Grand Prix '97 Tokyo, Japan KO (Right hook) 1 1:15 1997-09-07 Win Rick Roufus K-1 World GP 1997 Opening Japan TKO (Ref. stop/left high kick) 3 2:05 1997-07-20 Loss Peter Aerts K-1 Dreams 1997 Japan KO (Right high kick) 2 1:19 1997-04-29 Loss Ray Sefo K-1 Braves 1997 Japan TKO (Ref. stop'right hook) 1 1:31 1997-02-01 Win Maurice Smith Le Choc des Champions Paris, France Decision 5 3:00 Retains ISKA Full-contact World Super Heavyweight title. 1996-12-08 Draw Sam Greco K-1 Hercules 1996 Japan Decision draw 5 3:00 1996-10-18 Win Ernesto Hoost K-1 Star Wars 1996 Japan TKO (Right hook) 2 2:57 1996-09-01 Win Takeru K-1 Revenge 1996 Japan KO (Right cross) 4 2:49 1996-06-01 Win Curtis Schuster Le Choc des Champions Paris, France Decision 5 3:00 Wins ISKA Full-contact World Super Heavyweight title. 1996-03-10 Loss Mirko Filipovic K-1 World GP 1996 Opening Osaka, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1995-12-09 Loss Andy Hug K-1 Hercules 1995 Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1995-09-03 Win John Kleijn K-1 Revenge II Japan KO (Right hook) 2 1:10 1995-05-04 Loss Peter Aerts K-1 Grand Prix '95 Tokyo, Japan KO (Right body shot) 1 1:37 Fight was for K-1 World Grand Prix 1995 title. 1995-05-04 Win Mike Bernardo K-1 Grand Prix '95 Tokyo, Japan KO (Right low kick) 2 2:05 1995-05-04 Win Masaaki Satake K-1 Grand Prix '95 Tokyo, Japan KO (Left straight punch) 3 2:32 1995-03-03 Win Nokveed Devy K-1 Grand Prix 1995 Opening Japan Decision (unanimous) 5 3:00
MMA record
3 Wins (3 (T)KO's), 1 Loss, 1 Draw Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 2006-03-15 Win Jimmy Ambriz K-1 Hero's 4 Tokyo, Japan KO (Punch) 1 2:04 3-1-1 2005-12-31 Win Alan Karaev K-1 PREMIUM 2005 Dynamite!! Tokyo, Japan KO 2 1:14 2-1-1 2005-03-26 Win Yoshihiro Akiyama K-1 Hero's 1 Saitama, Japan KO (Knees) 1 2:24 1-1-1 2004-12-31 Draw Bob Sapp K-1 PREMIUM 2004 Dynamite!! Tokyo, Japan Decision draw 4 3:00 0-1-1 2001-12-31 Loss Tadao Yasuda Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2001 K-1 vs. Inoki Saitama, Japan Submission (Forearm choke) 2 2:50 0-1
Boxing record
6 Wins (5 (T)KO's, 1 disqualification), 0 Losses Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 2009-11-13 Win Ladislav Kovarik Deauville Casino Deauville, Calvados, France KO 2 6-0 2009-05-23 Win Werner Kreiskott Deauville Casino Deauville, Calvados, France TKO 4 1:59 5-0 1998-11-14 Win Ferenc Deák L'Espace François Mitterrand Mont-de-Marsan, France DQ 2 4-0 1998-06-20 Win James Henderson The Moon Nightclub Tallahassee, FL KO 4 0:37 3-0 1998-04-10 Win Jerry Reynolds United States TKO 1 2-0 1998-02-24 Win Tudor Panait Oporto, Portugal TKO 4 1-0 Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

[edit] See also

• List of K-1 events
• List of K-1 champions
• List of male kickboxers
• List of kickboxing organizations

[edit] External links

• Official Website
• Le Banner's Official K-1 profile
• Interview with Jerome Le Banner
• JLB Biography at IMDB

[edit] References