Articles of 2006

Kickboxers in the Ring

Published

18 years ago

January 3, 2006

As anybody in the boxing business will tell you, kickboxers know nothing about defense because they think that kicks are enough to keep opponents away. Also, most kickboxers cannot punch properly and that’s why a hook to the jaw thrown by one of them is not as effective as a punch thrown by a boxer. In fact, the kickboxers who made it in the boxing ring can be counted on one hand: Troy Dorsey, James Warring and Khalid Rahilou; the most famous of them is, by far, Troy Dorsey.

Troy Dorsey – Born on November 19, 1962 in Mansfield (Texas), he was nicknamed The Destroyer because he was just that … at least in the kickboxing ring. Not many people know that his first big success was in Europe. In 1985 he participated at the world amateur championships organized in London by the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations and won the gold medal in both point fighting and full contact competition. He was the only man to accomplish two big wins in two kickboxing styles during the same event and the news was widely covered by European ring sports magazines. That same year he even came to Italy as special guest to a martial arts show. Two years later, in 1987, he won again the WAKO world amateur title, in Munich (Germany). In 1989, when he started having success in boxing – winning the NABF featherweight title – European magazines wrote many articles about him. In fact, my very first boxing article was a portrait of Troy Dorsey; it was published on November 1990. During his kickboxing career, The Destroyer compiled a professional record of 33 wins (24 KOs) and just 2 losses. He won his first world title on August 8, 1987, beating Felipe Garcia for the ISKA bantamweight championship. In 1989 Dorsey moved to Gothenburg (Sweden) to add the PKO belt to his collection. In 1994 he became a three-time champion defeating Mechell Rochette for the ISKA lightweight crown. But in 1994, Troy was already more famous as a boxer. His style was so exciting that promoters always booked him for major fights. Troy Dorsey threw hundreds of punches without ever taking a breath. This strategy put pressure on his opponents but also made him easy to being hit. That’s why his boxing record is not as good as could have been: 18 wins (13 KOs), 11 losses and 4 draws. His two battles against IBF featherweight champion Jorge Paez were so close that some big names of the kickboxing community talked about a plot to prevent a kickboxer from winning a world title in the noble art. The first Dorsey-Paez fight took place on February 4, 1990 in Las Vegas. The judges scored it 114-113 for Paez (twice) and 115-113 for Dorsey. The second match took place on July 8, 1990 always in Sin City. The IBF and WBO titles were on the line. This time, the judges called it a draw: 115-113 (Paez), 116-112 (Dorsey) and 114-114. On June 3, 1991 at Caesars Palace, The Destroyer decided to let the judges out of the process by KOing Alfred Rangel during the opening stanza to claim the vacant IBF featherweight crown. The win was celebrated in the whole world of kickboxing and also in Dorsey’s hometown, whose Mayor declared the last week of August the ‘Troy Dorsey Week’ and gave the new IBF champion the keys of the city. That was the highlight of Troy’s boxing career. He lost the title on his first defense, against Manuel Medina. Later he lost to Kevin Kelley, Jesse James Leija, Calvin Grove, Oscar De La Hoya (1st round TKO) and littleknown Eddie Hopson. He got a significant win on October 18, 1996 in Denmark defeating (8th round TKO) local idol Jimmi Bredahl for the IBO super featherweight title. That put Dorsey in the European spotlight, but in the United States nobody cared about the IBO belt. His last three fights resulted in one win (against Rudy Zavala) and two losses (at the hands of Jesus Chavez and Gabe Ruelas). After that, Dorsey opened his own Karate school in Mansfield, where he still is considered a big star. On his website, Dorsey claims to have set the record for punches thrown in a boxing match (1527 in twelve rounds), but he doesn’t specify what fight it was.

James Warring – Warring had competed in just 23 professional boxing matches between 1985 and 1997. His record was 18 wins (11 KOs), 4 losses and 1 draw. You could say that Warring was no big deal, but he won the IBF cruiserweight title and that is enough to grant him a place in history. Being the second kickboxer to become a world champion in the sweet science turned Warring into a big star. It happened on September 7, 1991 in Salemi (Italy), where Warring knocked out James Pritchard to claim the IBF crown. He successfully defended it against Donnell Wingfield (5th round TKO) and Johnny Nelson (unanimous decision) before losing it to Alfred “Ice” Cole (on points). Before the IBF title win, Warring decisioned Nate Miller to become NABF cruiserweight champion. In kickboxing, Warring won the WKA world title. In 1982, he lost a decision to legendary Don Wilson in Tokyo. In 1984, Warring was named best fighter in the world by Paul Maslak’s Star System. Four years later he was rated number one among heavyweights in PKO rankings.

(I’m taking this information from an old article of mine, because it’s very hard to find them on the internet. When a sport is perceived to be minor, it is that way in everything. Kickboxing doesn’t have a website where you can find the records of the fighters. The websites of the sanctioning bodies don’t have a section with the list of their world champions in each division. Only some of the champions, on their own websites, publish their records. I would like to tell to the major players in the kickboxing world: wake-up!)

Going back to James Warring, today he is a respected boxing referee.

Khalid Rahilou – He had much more success in boxing than Troy Dorsey and James Warring, but Rahilou fought only once in the United States and that’s why so few people have ever heard of him. Born in Morocco in 1966, Rahilou spent most of his ring career in Europe. In 1987, he became world amateur kickboxing champion during the WAKO tournament held in Munich (Germany). As a professional, he won the French and European titles. He was famous in Italy for regularly defeating the best Italian kickboxers and nobody was surprised to see him succeed in the sweet science. As an amateur, he participated at the 1988 Olympics with the Moroccan boxing team. As a pro he compiled a record of 37 wins (14 KOs) and 5 losses. He became French, European and WBA world light welterweight champion. He gained respect keeping busy. He won the Euro belt on June 4, 1994 with a split decision over Valery Kayumba in France. Rahilou successfully defended the title against Gert Bo Jacobsen (twice), Patrick Ballesta, Pasquale Perna and Soren Sondergaard. On January 11, 1997 Rahilou beat Frankie Randall (11th round TKO) becoming WBA world champion. Rahilou successfully defended the title against Marty Jakubowski (TKO 7) and Jean Baptiste Mendy (unanimous decision). On October 10, 1998 Rahilou was defeated on points by Sharmba Mitchell. Almost three years later, Rahilou became WBA international light welterweight champion destroying Ferenc Szakallas in one round. Rahilou’s next fight was a points loss to Souleymane M’Baye, in 2002. After that, the Moroccon superstar decided to hang up the gloves.

Boxer vs Kickboxer: Art Jimmerson vs. Don Wilson

It happened in Cocoa Beach, Florida on June 22, 1987. Boxer Art Jimmerson agreed to fight kickboxer Don Wilson. I don’t know if Jimmerson was allowed to throw kicks, but it was a mismatch from the start because Jimmerson was a mediocre cruiserweight while Wilson was one of the best kickboxers in the world. How could Jimmerson hope to beat him? In fact, he didn’t. Wilson won by 6th round KO. In the following years, Jimmerson kept being a nobody. Don Wilson became one of the best kickboxers in history. Their records, say it all. Between 1985 and 2002, Art Jimmerson fought 51 boxing matches: 33 wins (17 KOs) and 18 losses. Don Wilson competed in kickboxing between 1974 and 1991, then fought one match in 1999 and a last one in 2000. His total record is made of 81 fights: 71 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws and 3 no-contests. He scored 47 KOs, 41 with his punches and 6 with his kicks. He became world champion in three divisions: light heavyweight, super light heavyweight and cruiserweight. Don Wilson made a name for himself in the Americas, Europe and Asia. I remember his fight in Milan, in 1989: he destroyed Giuliano Grillo in two rounds. It was my first ringside experience and Don Wilson was the first world champion of any sport that I interviewed.

I’d like to know what you readers think about kickboxing and if you would like to see a boxer vs. kickboxer match. In that case, who would you pick to fight a kickboxer?

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Luca De Franco

Articles of 2006

Peter/Toney Ii: Peter Has The Brutal Punch

Published

17 years ago

December 31, 2006

Adam Berlin

Samuel Peter claims he has dynamites in my two hands?

Heavyweight contenders Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter and James Lights Out? Toney get it on a second time this Saturday from the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Fla. (Showtime).

The hard-slugging Peter, unlike Toney, is one of those strong, silent types notorious for letting their fists to the talking one the opening bell sounds, but the Nigeria Nightmare is as confident as ever and determined to turn Lights Out’s lights out for good.

I have got dynamites in my two hands,? said Peter, according the Lagos, Nigeria Vanguard, and I will crush James Toney once and for all. The Toney camp made the mistake of their lives by protesting and seeking a rematch. I am ready to teach him a bitter lesson.?

Sam Peter walked away with the W for Peter/Toney I at the Staples Center in LA last September, but it was by disputed split decision a verdict so disputed, there was even a dispute about the dispute which forced the WBC’s hand into mandating Saturday’s rematch.

Samuel Peter is the biggest thing to hit African boxing since Ghanaian superstar Azumah Nelson rocked the feather and junior welterweight divisions. The President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Prince Olaide Adeboye, admitted, according to allAfrica.com, We are rooting for Samuel Peter, of course. He is one boy we believe in to bring back the country’s lost glory in professional boxing. I am personally making arrangement to be at the ringside to see him fight Toney again. I was at the first fight in Los Angeles in September.

Peter has the brutal punch, and to me he was the clear winner of the first fight. But the WBC Board of Governors, of which I am a member, voted 21-10 for a rematch. There was nothing those of us Africans on the board could do in the circumstances. But I believe Peter will confirm he is better than Toney and will then go ahead to meet the champion and claim the belt for Nigeria and Africa.?

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Articles of 2006

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings for Asia

Published

17 years ago

December 31, 2006

Scott Mallon

There are claims that boxing is dying. Hogwash. The heavyweight division isn’t the only division in boxing and 2007 promises to be a banner year in boxing; especially for boxers hailing from Asia.

While Asia isn’t Vegas or Atlantic City, it is a region packed of diamonds in the rough; undiscovered gems and potential superstars who wait for their moment in the sun.

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Asia

1) Manny Pacquiao – There’s no way to dispute Pacquiao is the best fighter in Asia, if not all of boxing. He’s exciting, he wins with Je Ne Sais Quois and is definitely “the man” in boxing.

2) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam – Although his competition leaves much to be desired, his longevity and skills are undeniable. He is currently Thailand’s only world champion and is undefeated in ten years. Need I say more?

3) Chris John – A victory over Juan Manuel Marquez, however controversial, shows he belongs at the top of the heap. He easily outpointed Renan Acosta to close out 2006 and should have no trouble defending against Jose Rojas in February. A fight with Pacquiao would not be a good move on his part but a rematch with Marquez would not hurt – especially if he defeats the Mexican again.

4) Hozumi Hasegawa – Hidden away in Japan, Hasegawa is a sharp punching southpaw who put former champion Veeraphol Sahaprom to sleep. He recently bested Genaro Garcia and his herky-jerky style will give fits to any one who steps in the ring with him.

5) Masomori Tokuyama – Tokuyama has never shied away from a good fight and although he only fought once in 2006 (UD12 Jose Navarro), he ledger shows wins over Katsushige Kawashima (twice), Gerry Penalosa (twice) and In Jin Chi (twice). A fight with Hozumi Hasegawa is a distinct possibility in 2007.

6) Nobuo Nashiro – With only seven fights under his belt he took on WBA champion Martin Castillo – and defeated him. Although he’s only fought a total of nine fights, nearly all have been against quality opposition. A victory in a rematch with Castillo would cement his claim as the king of the 115-pound division.

7) Yukata Niida – This light-hitting minimumweight defended his title twice in 2006, winning a technical decision against unbeaten Eriberto Gejon (Tech Win 10) and the other on points over Ronald Barrera (W 12). Scheduled to meet Katsunari Takayama early next year – the best has yet to come for this WBA belt holder.

8) In Jin Chi – Won back the title he lost to Takashi Koshimoto in January from Rudolfo Lopez. While there’s little uncertainty to his skills, at thirty-three, 2007 may provide some insight as to just how much he has left.

9) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai –Sor Nonthachai is an exciting, top-shelf fighter with an iron chin. Has no trouble making mincemeat of mid-level opposition and deserves a title shot in 2007. Time is running out.

10) Rey Bautista – He’s young, relatively inexperienced in big-time boxing, but will continue to shine in 2007. One of the better prospects in boxing, he should snag a title in 2007.

Asian Fighters Ranked in Ring Magazine

Pound for Pound:

Manny Pacquiao (Philippines): #2

Jr. Lightweight

Manny Pacquiao (Philippines): #1
Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai: #9

Featherweight

Chris John (Indonesia) #1
In Jin Chi (Korea) #3
Takashi Koshimoto (Japan) #5
Hioyuki Enoki (Japan) #7

Jr. Featherweight

Somsak Sithchatchawal (Thailand) #4

Bantamweight

Hozumi Hasegawa (Japan) #2
Veeraphol Sahaprom (Japan) #3
Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (Thailand) #6
Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (Thailand) #10

Jr. Bantamweight

Nobuo Nashiro (Japan) #1
Katsushige Kawashima (Japan) #7
Pramuansak Phosuwan (Thailand) #10

Flyweight

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Thailand) #1
Takefumi Sakata (Japan) #7
Daisuke Naito (Japan) #10

Jr. Flyweight

Koki Kameda (Japan) #1

Minimumweight

Yukata Naiida (Japan) #2
Eagle Kyowa (Japan/Thai) #4
Katsunari Takayama (Japan) #5
Rodel Mayol (Philippines) #7

Boxing in Thailand

There’s no shortage of boxers in Thailand. With a huge pool of Muay Thai fighters to draw from and several talented amateur boxing prospects turning pro after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Thailand seems destined to remain a boxing powerhouse in Asia.

The country is known for having tough, determined and disciplined fighters who give their all whenever the step in to the ring. However, consistently losing while fighting abroad and padding their records with no-hopers has done nothing to enhance their reputation.

Whether because of a lack of marketability, a lack of funds or their unwillingness to travel abroad, the vast majority of boxers from Thailand remain a mystery to fans in the west. If anything though, the boxing scene involving Thai fighters will be active. In fact, it’s one of the most active in the world; since 2000, the number of fights has nearly doubled in the country.

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Thailand – August 2006

1) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam
2) Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym
3) Somsak Sithchatchawal
4) Wandee Singwancha
5) Sirimongkol Singwancha
6) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai
7) Veeraphol Sahaprom
8) Pramuansak Phosuwan
9) Terdsak Jandaeng
10) Oleydong Sithamerchai

Current Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Thailand

1) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Flyweight) – Definitely the top dog in Thailand

2) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai (Super Lightweight) – He’s a seasoned fighter who has proven himself in the big-time. He’s one Thai who can fight outside of Asia. He has an abundance of skills and one-punch power. His overall ability and ease in dispatching anyone other than championship caliber get him the runners-up spot.

3) Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (Super Bantamweight) – After losing to Vladimir Sidorenko he’s bounced back. He’s young, he can punch, but the former interim champion needs to prove himself against a name fighter.

4) Somsak Sithchatchawal (Super Bantamweight) – Was his win over Monshipour a fluke or was Celestino Caballero just that good? Did Sithchatchawal catch Monshipour at the right time and can he rebound from the devastating loss? The jury is still out.

5) Wandee Singwancha (Flyweight) – He doesn’t have much of a punch which will be his downfall in the end. He can box, as was evidenced in his recent victory over Juanito Rubillar, but this won’t be enough. He can no longer make the Jr. Flyweight limit and with no punch he’ll have a hard time competing against the “big boys.” Although he’s now rated second by the WBC, he doesn’t deserve to be.

5) Sirimongkol Singwancha (Super Lightweight) – Get this guy a fight. He’s better than Jose Armando Santa Cruz and would have beat up Inada had the fight taken place. He’ll fight anyone but his biggest obstacle is staying motivated fighting tomato cans in Thailand. Like many Thais, he needs a fight against a name opponent.
6) Wandee Singwancha (Flyweight) – He doesn’t have much of a punch which will be his downfall in the end. He can box, as was evidenced in his recent victory over Juanito Rubillar, but this won’t be enough. He can no longer make the Jr. Flyweight limit and with no punch he’ll have a hard time competing against the “big boys.” Although he’s now rated second by the WBC, he doesn’t deserve to be.

7) Pramuansak Phosuwan (Super Flyweight) – A genuine tough guy. Always calm and focused no matter how heated the battle. But at thirty-eight, he’ll be in trouble should he fight one of the division’s elite.
8) Veeraphol Sahaprom (Bantamweight) – Will be lucky to get another crack at the title. Although he has a puncher’s chance of winning a belt, that’s about all he has left at this point. A third shot at Hasegawa is unlikely.

9) Oleydong Sithamerchai (Minimumweight) – He’s fought better than the usual opponents faced by Thais at his level and he moves up one spot with the departure of Terdsak Jandaeng. He lacks the punch and is in the wrong division to become a superstar. He’ll need to defeat a name opponent to convince me.

10) Saenghiran Lookbanyai / Napapol Kittisakchokchai (Super Bantamweight) – These two square-off in early March, supposedly to see who deserves a shot at Israel Vasquez. Kittisakchokchai has the edge in experience but some feel Lookbanyai has the edge in heart and is the favorite.

Neither has defeated a top twenty fighter and yet are ranked number one and two respectively in the WBC’s world.

In Kittisakchokchoi’s lone shot at the big-time, he was TKO’d in 10 by Oscar Larios. His dreadful performance against Larios and lack of quality opposition leads me to believe Saenghiran might have more of a shot at beating him than some suspect. Regardless, neither of them lasts longer than six rounds with Israel Vasquez.

Honorable Mention: Wethya Sakmuangklang, Denkaosan Kaovichit, Devid Lookmahanak, Nethra Sasiprapa, Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo, Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym

Thai Fighters Ranked in Ring Magazine

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam: #1 Flyweight
Pramuansak Phosuwan: #10 Jr. Bantamweight
Veeraphol Sahaprom: #3 Bantamweight
Ratanachai Sor Vorapin: #6 Bantamweight
Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym: #10 Bantamweight
Somsak Sithchatchawal: #3 Jr. Featherweight
Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai: #9 Lightweight

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Articles of 2006

Iceman Stops Tito Ortiz Win Streak

Published

17 years ago

December 31, 2006

David A. Avila

LAS VEGAS—UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck “Iceman” Liddell’s fists proved too much for Huntington Beach’s Tito Ortiz who was stopped in the third round before a sold out crowd at the MGM Garden Arena on Saturday.

The punching machine Liddell (20-3, 13 KOs) repeated his victory in UFC 66 over the much-improved grappler Ortiz who has improved his punching and blocking. Ortiz was trying to avenge his loss of April 2004.

Despite all the new weapons displayed by Ortiz it wasn’t enough as Liddell pummeled the former champion and retained his title with a technical knockout at 3:59 of the third round. Referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the bout.

“This was the most satisfying victory of my career,” said Liddell, 36, of Santa Barbara. “Tito came back real tough.”

Ortiz (15-5, 8 KOs), a former wrestler, worked on his boxing technique knowing he would need it against the former boxer Liddell. But Liddell’s experience allowed him to find the right moment to pounce on Ortiz.

“I had him hurt, I just kept throwing punches,” said Liddell who also knocked down Ortiz in the first round with a left hook.

Ortiz was gracious in defeat.

“Chuck is the best fighter Pound for Pound in the (mixed martial arts) world,” said Ortiz, 31, who suffered a gash on the side of his left eye from a punch. “I’m disgusted by myself. I let my fans down.”

Other bouts

Underdog Keith Jardine (12-3-1) knocked out Forrest Griffin (13-4) at 4:41 of the first round in their light heavyweight showdown. A right uppercut followed by a left hook wobbled Griffin who was sent to the floor by a barrage of punches. On the ground Jardine landed right after right until referee John McCarthy stopped the fight for a technical knockout.

“I couldn’t believe he was hurt,” said Jardine about Griffin who is known for his resiliency. “I was so nervous coming into this fight, but now I know I belong here.”

Canada’s Jason McDonald (18-7) choked out Chris Leben (15-3) in a middleweight bout that was up for grabs. Though Leben seemed to control the fight with stunning left hands, once the fight went to the ground McDonald managed a chokehold at 4:03 of the second round. Referee Steve Mazagatti saw Leben was unconscious and stopped the fight.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski (12-5) caught Brazil’s Mario Cruz (2-2) with a sneak right hand while both were tangled on the ground. Then the Belarusian pummeled Cruz until referee Herb Dean stopped the fight at 3:15 of the first round.

Third season winner of the Ultimate Fighter television reality season Michael Bisping (12-0) of Great Britain won by technical knockout over Eric Shafer (9-2-2) at 4:29 of the first round. A knee knocked Shafer groggy then Bisping knocked him to the ground and pounded him. Referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the bludgeoning.

Thiago Alves (16-4) caught Peru’s Tony De Souza (15-5) with a knee as he attempted to dive for his legs in a welterweight contest. After that it was pretty much over as Alves pummeled De Souza at 1:10 of the second round forcing referee John McCarthy to halt the bout.

Gabriel Gonzago (7-1) proved too strong for Carmelo Marrero (6-1) in a heavyweight bout. At 3:22 of the first round Gonzago of Massachusetts manipulated his way into arm bar forcing Pennsylvania’s Marrero to tap out.

Japan’s Yushin Okami (19-3) pounded Georgia’s Rory Singer (11-6) into submission at 4:03 of the third round of a middleweight bout. Okami seemed the more-rounded fighter with effective kicks to the head and more accurate punching.

Christian Wellisch (8-2) jumped to a quick start with an accurate left hook that rattled Australia’s Anthony Perosh (5-3) in a heavyweight bout. During the first round it seemed the Sacramento fighter might end the fight but the Aussie hung tough. Wellisch won by unanimous decision.

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