Kane'ohe fighter Mike Malone has a plan of attack for Hong-Man Choi, a fighter also known as "The Korean Giant."

"Chop the tree down," Malone said.

Problem is, Malone will not be allowed to bring an axe — or a slingshot — into the ring Saturday when he takes on Choi in the K-1 World Grand Prix in Hawai'i.

The kickboxing event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the Blaisdell Center Arena.

The bout between Malone and Choi is not the main event, but it is the most intriguing matchup on the card.

Choi is 7 feet 2 and 355 pounds. Malone is 6 feet and 215 pounds.

"At first, I was happy that they wanted me to fight," said Malone, 35. "Then they asked if I wanted to fight Hong-Man Choi, and I was kind of hesitant. But then I figured this is an opportunity of a lifetime. If I end up beating this guy, I'll be guaranteed a nice contract with K-1."

K-1 is based in Japan, and it is considered the top kickboxing organization in the world. Saturday's card will be televised live in Japan and Korea.

Choi is one of the superstars of K-1, and not just because of his size. He has a K-1 record of 9-3, including victories over Hawai'i's Akebono, and former NFL player Bob Sapp.

"He's literally the biggest fighter in the world," K-1 promoter Mak Takano said of Choi. "But he is also a very strong fighter. In Korea, he is a legend."

On the other hand, Malone is more recognized in Hawai'i as a mixed martial arts coach. He is the head instructor of the Eastsidaz Fight Club in Kane'ohe.

What's more, Malone underwent surgery six months ago to repair a torn rotator cuff, and most of his free time is dedicated to his three children.

"I haven't been as active in the ring as I would like," he said. "But I train almost every day, so I'm ready for this."

Takano said: "This is a Rocky story, basically. Here's a good, tough, local fighter with a chance to take on one of the best in the world."

Even some of Malone's training methods are Rocky-like. In an effort to simulate Choi's extraordinary reach, Malone's training partners jab at him with poles with boxing gloves attached at the ends.

"It's hard to really prepare for a guy that big," Malone said. "I just have to make sure I keep moving — stay out of his striking distance. And I have to kick at his legs a lot, hope it wears him down."

Kaleo Kwan, one of Malone's training partners, said Malone has "a puncher's chance."

"I've known Mike since we were kids, and he's always been the guy to try something when nobody else wants to do it," Kwan said. "We're excited that he's even trying this. If he wins, it'll boost his name up to the highest level."

Malone has paid his dues in the sport, and he has the voice to prove it. Ever since he got hit in the throat during a practice session several years ago, his voice has been low and raspy.

"A lot of people think it's cool," he said. "My kids love it because I can not really yell at them."

With a budding business opportunity in the works, Malone would like nothing more than a victory over Choi to resonate his name around the world.

"I'm looking at opening a clothing store soon," he said. "So I'm hoping this fight will help."

NOTES

The highlight of Saturday's card is an eight-man super heavyweight tournament. The fighters are Mighty Mo (USA), Kyoung Suk Kim (Korea), Jan Nortje (South Africa), Julius Long (USA), Gary Goodridge (Canada), Patrick Barry (USA), Alexandre Pitchkounov (Russia) and Tatsufumi Tomihira (Japan).

There will also be a heavyweight title match between Badr Hari of Morocco and Yusuke Fujimoto of Japan.

Ticket prices range from $40 to $150, and are available at the Blaisdell box office or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.