The Korean heavyweight fired back at Azjargal’s claim that he could beat him within a minute as tensions boiled over during the AFC 43 media day.
Hyun Man Myung was already confident about his return at AFC 43.
Now it appears to be personal.
The Korean heavyweight came face-to-face with Mongolia’s Tserendash Azjargal during the AFC 43 media day ahead of their October 9 boxing special match at Inje Speedium. What began as an exchange of predictions quickly escalated into a heated confrontation that eventually became physical.
At the center of the tension was a prediction Myung had heard from his opponent.
According to Myung, Azjargal had claimed he could defeat him within one minute.
Myung wasn’t particularly impressed.
“Can you really beat me?” Myung asked when the two crossed paths during the event.
The exchange set the tone for what would follow.
Myung Fires Back With His Own Prediction
Hyun Man Myung documented the media day on his YouTube channel, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at his arrival, interactions with other figures in Korean combat sports and eventually his confrontation with Azjargal.
Even before the official faceoff, Myung repeatedly brought up his opponent’s one-minute prediction.
During the press conference, he responded with one of his own.
Myung said he expected to finish Azjargal in the first round.
The confidence should come as little surprise considering the rules of the matchup.
Myung built his reputation as one of South Korea’s most recognizable heavyweight strikers, competing extensively in kickboxing before also fighting in MMA. AFC 43 will put him opposite Azjargal in a three-round heavyweight cage-boxing special match rather than a traditional MMA contest.
Azjargal, meanwhile, enters as an AFC champion from Mongolia.
On paper, the matchup brings together two accomplished heavyweights from different combat-sports backgrounds. At media day, however, the discussion quickly became much simpler.
Both men believe they can finish the other early.
Myung Originally Expected a Different Opponent
Tserendash Azjargal wasn’t necessarily the opponent Myung expected when discussions surrounding his return began.
During the press conference, Myung said he had originally expected to face Do Hyun Kim.
Myung claimed that he viewed Kim as a suitable opponent for his comeback before the matchup changed due to a reported knee injury.
He wasn’t shy about expressing his frustration.
Myung jokingly accused his original opponent of “running away” before turning his attention toward the man now standing across from him.
His comments toward Azjargal were even more dismissive.
Myung repeatedly joked that he barely knew who his opponent was and suggested that he had little interest in the matchup before the tension surrounding the fight began to build.
Azjargal’s prediction appears to have changed that.
Faceoff Turns Physical
By the time the two heavyweights stood face-to-face, there was little need to manufacture tension.
Myung confronted Azjargal again about the claim that he could beat him within a minute.
Words were exchanged. The distance between them disappeared. Then came the physical contact.
The two heavyweights began pushing and making contact with one another as people around them attempted to keep the confrontation under control. Myung’s shirt was ripped during the altercation, and the exchange became heated enough that organizers eventually brought their portion of the media day to an end.
Korean reports from the event confirmed that the two engaged in a physical confrontation during the press conference as tensions surrounding the heavyweight special match escalated.
Afterward, Myung admitted that some of the exchange may have looked entertaining from the outside, but said he was genuinely irritated by what happened.
Even the ripped shirt became part of the story.
Myung joked that it was expensive — and that media day had been the first time he had worn it.
“We’ll Show It in the Fight”
Once things settled down, Myung returned to the point that ultimately matters.
There isn’t much left to accomplish through talking.
The two heavyweights will have the opportunity to settle their differences on October 9 when AFC celebrates its 10th anniversary at Inje Speedium in Gangwon Province.
AFC 43 is scheduled to feature eight fights, with AFC welterweight champion Kim Sang Wook defending his title against Japan’s Kotetsu Nakakado in the main event. Myung and Azjargal’s heavyweight boxing special match is positioned as another of the card’s featured attractions.
For Myung, the buildup has already given his return a different edge.
He arrived at media day expecting the usual press conference, promotional activities and faceoff.
He left with a ripped shirt, a visibly heated rivalry and a first-round prediction hanging over both heavyweights.
Azjargal believes he needs only a minute.
Myung believes the fight won’t make it out of the opening round.
On October 9, they won’t need the press conference to settle the argument.
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