Put Your Gloves On Mickey Because...
The IKF Is Coming To
ORLANDO!

It's Official everyone. The 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic has been moved to Orlando Florida to The Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa in the Walt Disney World Resort. The reasons for the move surrounded a better opportunity for growth of the event by having it at a major airport hub city. The other just as important reason was the better financial deal the IKF was able to attain through the Orlando location as compared to last years U.S. Cellular Center Arena location.

"We were very happy with the deal the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel worked out for us for 2004, but there were still problems with the fees the venue (U.S. Cellular Center Arena.) wanted." Said IKF President Steve Fossum. The IKF had planned to go back to the U.S. Cellular Center Arena in Cedar Rapids Iowa for the 2004 event but suddenly things changed when the Orlando location asked to put a bid in for the event in late March. "The last thing I thought we would vote to do was change locations this close to the Tournament date." Said Fossum, "But the package was so good and the location being a major airport hub pretty much took everyone over." A vote process was created for anyone and everyone to participate in. In the process, 28 trainers from around the country cast their vote by 4:PM today. Of them, 20 voted for the Orlando location while 2 stayed neutral (Not really concerned where it would be, just saying they would be there no matter where it was) and 6 voted to keep the Tournament in Iowa for 2004.

Now the IKF moves to phase two of their plane which is working to help some of the Midwest Fight Teams afford the changed venue trip. There are some great gyms and trainers in the Midwest that have been to the event for years and the IKF wants to do all they can to make sure they can still make it.

Such gyms include several MuayThai gyms such as Dean Lessei's Dubuque Martial Arts Group Team Singto in Dubuque Iowa, Mick Doyle's Mugendo Modern Martial Arts Center in Omaha, Nebraska, Ryan Blackorby's Peoria Athletic Club in Peoria, Illinois and Duke Roufus' Muaythai in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Several Full Contact style schools have also been with the Tournament a long time such as Rob Zbilski's "Z's Martial Arts" of which there are several locations around Chicago, Russ O'Connell's Cedar Valley Pro Fitness in Waterloo, Iowa and Jessey Finney's Championship Kickboxing in St Louis Missouri, just to name a few.

"We have a strong following in the Midwest so this is surly a risky move." said Fossum. "This was why I was not going to make the decision myself despite the large amount of money we would save by moving it to Orlando."

The six trainers who wanted the event to stay in the Midwest were from Iowa , Nebraska , Illinois, Wisconsin and Central Canada. Those 20 wanting to move it to Orlando were from Michigan, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Arizona. South Carolina, Pennsylvania, California and Texas. Other votes came in for Orlando after the 4:PM cut-off time from Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Louisiana, Colorado, Ohio, New York, Western and Eastern Canada and some other USA states. No one replied to the vote from Mexico.

The Host Hotel, the Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa in the Walt Disney World Resort, has 1,014 guest rooms and suites and is connected by hallway to the venue Ballroom. The rooms feature private balconies or patios. All rooms include mini-bars, newspaper delivery, coffee makers, voice mail and cordless phones which are standard amenities in all guest rooms. High-speed Internet access, Sony Playstation® video games and Web TV® are also available. For extra room to work and play, the Island Resort building houses over 100 spacious one- and two-bedroom suites. More than 20 suites in the resort's main tower offer ultimate VIP luxury - including panoramic views of Walt Disney World®. The hotel is located 17 miles from the airport and there is a shuttle fee unless teams choose to rent their own car or van.

The Orlando property will offer quite a bit more for those staying there also such as "3" Pools, Sauna, full Fitness Center, Steam Rooms, outdoor whirlpools, Tennis Courts, Volleyball, Basketball, Hot Tubs and Massage Therapy Center. The Orlando location also has 7 on-site restaurants to choose from which include Arthur's 27, Outback, Watercress Cafe, Laughing Kookaburra, Top of the Palace Lounge, Lobby Lounge and the Pool Snack Bar & Pool Bar. Our special room rate is available to Everyone associated with our group, fighters, trainers, family, friends and fans of the Sport. Our special rate is only $89.00 for a 2 bed room. Upgrades to two room suites available upon request.

As for the Main Venue Room, this is a newly remodeled 18,000 plus square foot carpeted Ballroom with about 6,000 square feet of additional workout room space where Main event Sponsor TKO will set up several heavy bag stands for the fighter warm-up areas. Along with TKO, Ringside will also be an event sponsor, made easy this year by TKO's and Ringside's catalog partnership. Other major sponsors are expected to be added to this years event which will add a lot of extras for each fighter who enters.

To Register to compete for the event, go to the Regionals Page to see where your regional event is by clicking HERE. If there is no Regional Seeding Tournament in your area, you can register directly for the Championships in Orlando by clicking HERE! Look for more info to follow soon.

Dear Coaches, Athletes, Trainers, Officials, Family Members Friends and Fans,
This will be the 6 Year Anniversary of the IKF/TKO Amateur Kickboxing Championships. The dates for the event have been confirmed for August 13th, 14th & 15th. With the exception of the potential growth rate of the event we plan to have 70 Championship bouts at this years Championships. As we have said in previous years, this event is not, and has never been promoted by just 1 individual. It's a complete TEAM EFFORT. Without regional directors/promoters there would be no local links to many of you for this great event. Without their efforts, many of you might not have known about this tournament so on behalf of us here at the IKF Headquarters we would like to acknowledge the great work of our Regional Directors. Without their great work, there wouldn't be an IKF/TKO Amateur Kickboxing Championship Tournament!

Many more individuals make this great tournament possible as well which include all the coaches and trainers who put in countless hours with their only return being the look on each of their fighters face after a much deserved victory. It is their efforts that bring the participants to the Championship Tournament Events to truly "Walk The Walk" and become a TRUE Amateur Kickboxing Champion. Without trainers, there would be no fighters. Without fighters there would be no fights. Without officials, there would be no order and without the support of family friends and the fans of this great sport, none of us would be doing what we love today in this sport. We cannot forget the great support of the sponsors who we hope to have involved with this event as well as other IKF Sanctioned Events around the world. Please support the sponsors of our IKF/TKO Championship Tournament as they have proven their desire to support our sport and "Walk The Walk" with us. Wipps will once again supply their dynamic BRAINPADS to all the fighters who weigh-in at the finals. This is a great product which receives a strong endorsement from the IKF. How strong? We sponsor a web page here on the IKF site just for fighters safety with articles about the product. See it by clicking HERE! Thanks to another GREAT TEAM EFFORT, by all involved, we will present to you

"YOUR"
2004 IKF/TKO Amateur Kickboxing Championship Tournament

And remember, there is no "I" in TEAM! Thank You ALL! Now lets all...

"WALK The WALK!"

Sincerely
Steve Fossum
IKF World President

NEWS OF 5-21-04

SEEDING & CHAMPION
Answers In Regards To This Years
2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic

SEEDING:
All 2003 USA & North American Champions still need to register to fight at this years 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic if they wish to defend their titles. To register, Click HERE. These Champions "DO NOT" have to register at a regional seeding event to be seeded for the 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic. However, if they choose to register and fight at a regional seeding event, they automatically lose their automatic top seeded position. Seeding positions are determined as follows:

• Next year (2005), number 1 below will be deleted:
  1. TOP SEED IN DIVISION: Previous years USA National Tournament Champion (Or winner of a 5 round bout on regular event after the Tournament last year)
     • REASON: Larger Tournament (Or if on a regular event, fought more rounds and strong competition). More Weight for seeding.
  2. 2003 North American Champion. MuayThai in Peoria, Illinois or Full Contact in Greenville, South Carolina
  3. Winner at a Regional Seeding Tournament in their region - Must be an actual Regional bout in the weightclass for both fighters. Not just a matched-up win.
     • Followed by a fighter at a Regional Seeding Tournament that may have won 1, lost 1, won 2 lost 1 etc.
  4. Fought in a Regional Seeding Tournament but lost.
  5. Registered for a Regional Seeding Tournament but did not have a fight.
  6. Had no Regional Seeding Tournament in their area and registered as a walkover.
  7. Had a Regional Seeding Tournament in their area but due to hardships, could not attend and received a waiver from the IKF and the Regional promoter after the fighter has paid the Regional Promoter fees to the Regional Promoter.
  8. BOTTOM SEED IN DIVISION: Any of the above but registered AFTER the first Registration Deadline of July 10th This year ALL fighters who register AFTER the first Registration Deadline of July 10th will not only be charged a late fee, but also be seeded at the bottom of their division. This rule applies to ALL CHAMPIONS too.
• ALL TIES Will be broken by "PROVEN and "VERIFIABLE" fight records. For this reason, it will assist all fighters best who include their full fight record with their fighter registration for the Finals.

SEEDING:
Last year's 2003 IKF/TKO USA National Amateur Champions will automatically be seeded as the number 1 contender in their division provided they are defending the same weightclass and rule style division as they won in 2003. Junior fighters (8-17) need also to be in the same "Age" division to defend their titles. If not, they will not be seeded number 1. to see what titles are to be defended click the links at the bottom of the Finalist Page by clicking HERE.

Fighters who fought at and became IKF North American Champions at either of the IKF North American Tournaments (MuayThai in Peoria, Illinois or Full Contact in Greenville, South Carolina) will be automatically seeded number 2 in their division if there was a 2003 IKF/TKO USA National Amateur Champion in their same division. If not, they will be seeded number 1 to defend their title. Those North American Champions who do not register will lose their title if a new Champion is crowned. If not, their title will remain in place until someone else wins it.

NEWS OF 5-24-04

POSTED AT 12:50 PM, PT

Can't Make Your
Regional Seeding Tournament?

Recently we have been asked what a fighter can do if they are unable to make their regional seeding Tournament on the way to the IKF/TKO North American Classic Championships. These reasons can vary from other event commitments, injury, vacation, etc. etc.. To Attend the North American Classic you will need to pay your Regional Director his/her $20 Fighter Registration Fee that would have been paid if you registered for your Regional. However, you will not pay the $15 fee that would have gone to the IKF from your Regional. Please either mail this $20 fee to your Regional Director and assure us he/she has received it by them sending us verification by phone or e-mail, OR send this payment in a separate check made out to the Regional Director when sending us your Championship Finals Registration Form. In this case, this will be a special form found at this link HERE. You will basically be registering as a "WALK-OVER" fighter but you will be given a higher seeding at the North American Classic than a fighter who registers as a Walkover Fighter without a Regional.

POSTED ON TUESDAY, May 25th, 2004, AT 9:30 PM, PT

For The 6th Year In A Row The IKF Presents...
2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic
Amateur Kickboxing Championships
MUAYTHAI - FULL CONTACT - INTERNATIONAL LEG KICK
-Formerly The IKF USA Nationals-
ALWAYS The Largest Amateur Kickboxing Event In North America
OVER 200 Fighters Ages 8 and up.
This Year Fighters Will Come From
United States, Canada, Mexico, Greenland, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands & Bermuda
August 13th, 14th & 15th In
ORLANDO, FLORIDA USA!

The 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic, Amateur Kickboxing Championships will be held at The Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa in Orlando Florida in the Walt Disney World Resort. The Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa has 1,014 guest rooms and suites and is connected by hallway to the 18,000 square foot venue Ballroom. The hotel is located 17 miles from the Orlando airport and has "3" Pools, Sauna, full Fitness Center, Steam Rooms, outdoor whirlpools, Tennis Courts, Volleyball, Basketball, Hot Tubs and Massage Therapy Center. Along with TKO, Ringside Products is also an event sponsor.

Last years event (The 5th year of this event) registered 216 Amateur Kickboxers between the ages of 8 and 45. Of them 115 were above the waist Full Contact American rule style Kickboxers, 69 were International leg kick rules and 32 were MuayThai fighters. The actual 200 fighters that showed up to "Walk the Walk" fought a record number, 146 bouts over 2 days to determine the best amateur kickboxers in America in their perspective divisions. In the end, there were 55 IKF/TKO USA Championship Title Belts awarded.

This year the IKF will welcome amateur kickboxers from not just the USA but from Canada, Mexico, Greenland & Bermuda (All part of North America). This event is the Largest Amateur Kickboxing Tournament in North America and has become the standard assessment for amateur kickboxers. It is the true "Golden Gloves" for amateur kickboxing.

It is the incubator for the future of the sport and has produced such Pro Stars as K-1 USA Champion
Carter Williams
of Modesto, California, USA and 3 Time National, North American, Amateur World Champion and Undefeated Pro Fighter
Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson
of Simpsonville, South Carolina, USA.

FIGHTER INFO
Regional Seeding events have been scheduled for the month of June in several regions of North America. To see if you are in one of these regions CLICK HERE. To read more about the 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic CLICK HERE or contact the IKF Kickboxing Organization at (916) 663-2467.

Due to various reasons we have less regional events scheduled for this year. Regardless, Registration Deadlines for each Regional are approaching fast and the first registration Deadline for the Championship Finals in Orlando is July 10th, 2004.

Regional Events
North Central Muaythai & International Rules Regional
Peoria, Illinois, USA, June 5th, 2004
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 26th, 2004
Contact Mr. Ryan Blackorby: (309) 657-6787
STATES INCLUDED IN THIS REGIONAL: Illinois Minnesota Wisconsin Iowa Michigan Kentucky Indiana Missouri - Above St. Louis North

Central East - Mid Atlantic Full Contact Rules Regional
Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA, June 12th, 2004
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: June 4th, 2004
Contact Mr. Craig Smith (757) 491-1733 or by e-mail at: Kickingboxing@aol.com
STATES INCLUDED IN THIS REGIONAL: Virginia West Virginia North Carolina Northern South Carolina - Columbia North Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey Delaware

South Central - AL Rule Styles - Regional
Memphis, Tennessee, USA, June 12th, 2004
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: June 4th, 2004
Contact Mr. Jeff Mullens (901) 406-2460 or by e-mail at: jmullen@memphis.edu
STATES INCLUDED IN THIS REGIONAL: Tennessee Arkansas Mississippi Louisiana Southern Missouri - St. Louis South

North Central Full Contact Rules Regional
Lake Zurich, Illinois, USA, June 19th, 2004
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: June 9th, 2004
Contact Mr. Rob Zbilski (847) 458-8333 or by e-mail at: info@teamzs.com
STATES INCLUDED IN THIS REGIONAL: Illinois Minnesota Wisconsin Iowa Michigan Indiana Central & Eastern North Dakota: Timezone Line Eastern South Dakota: Timezone Line

For all other Regional Info CLICK HERE.
All Other Regions For fighters in regions not listed above, you may register for the 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic directly as "Walkovers". To do so CLICK HERE.

HOTEL INFO:
For Reasons of Important Contact Availability, Except for the individual Fighters who live in Florida ALL fighters NEED to Stay At The Host Hotel, the Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa. At Registration we will be asking you for your room number in case we need to contact you for bout or schedule changes. Last year we had some fighters we needed to locate due to bout changes but we could not find them in the event room or in the hotel because they were at another hotel sleeping. This caused a lot of problems and we do not want to face such issues this year. The Host Hotel for this years 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic is the Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa. It is connected by hallway to the venue Ballroom. The hotel is located 17 miles from the airport and there is a $12.50 per person Shuttle Fee one way, or $25 Round Trip (Discounted for us from $29.00). We suggest Large Teams should rent a van is desired. It may cost less depending upon the number on your Team. The hotel has 1,014 guest rooms and suites that feature private balconies or patios. All rooms include mini-bars, newspaper delivery, coffee makers, voice mail and cordless phones which are standard amenities in all guest rooms. High-speed Internet access, Sony Playstation® video games and Web TV® are also available. Our special room rate is available to Everyone associated with our group, fighters, trainers, family, friends and fans of the Sport. Our special rate is only $89.00 for a 2 bed room for 2 and $99 for 3 or 4. We do not pay the $10.00 resort tax on these rooms. This has been waived. Upgrades to two room suites available upon request. Toll Free Hotel Reservation Line: 1-877-999-3223. When calling outside the U.S. or Canada, dial 972-915-7070 or you can e-mail the hotel at gmced@lodgian.com
Check-In Time: 03:00 PM Check-Out Time: 12:00 PM

For More Info on the 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic Championship Finals CLICK HERE.

Sponsorship, Program Ads and Product Booth Space
CLICK HERE.

NEWS OF 5-26-04

What's It Worth?
By Steve Fossum

Sometime on Friday, August 6th of this year, IKF Photographer Glenn Berg and I will have decided which 3,000 (+ or -) mile route to take for our trip to this years 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic in Orlando, Florida. We have 2 choices for our journey. The Northern route will take us 2,994 miles (46 hours and 3 minutes...according to Yahoo maps) while the Southern route will take us 3,124 miles (48 hours and 18 minutes ...according to Yahoo maps) I'm not sure why it's longer going the Southern route but it is...

Regardless, our 3,000 mile journey from the front door of the IKF Headquarters to this years 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic in Orlando Florida will be as always, a looooong drive.... If we take the Northern route starting off on Highway 80 East we will blast out of California within about 90 minutes and into the open desert of Nevada. Once in Nevada it will be some time before we get to any major size city. The first one we will come to though will be the bright lights of Craig Lamanna's city and home of Lamanna's 20,000 square foot "MEGA" MuayThai Center, the Muay Thai Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah. There were no fighters from Utah at last years Nationals but Lamanna says that will change this year when he brings his own team of stars! After Salt Lake the next big place is home to our good friend Dave Smith, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Last year teams in Wyoming sent 8 fighters to the Nationals but all 8 lost in the opening round of competition. After Cheyenne someone will be sleepin because it's about 1,000 miles until the next big attraction along this all too familiar journey each year.

Highway 80 eventually takes a weird turn north just outside of Lincoln, Nebraska... well, weird for us anyway... at least for this year. The road will take us up through the Brooks Mason and Mick Doyle Country where Doyle's Mugendo Modern Martial Arts Center is located in Omaha Nebraska. Last year Doyle was the only Nebraska gym to send fighters. He sent 5 fighters to the Nationals and 2 came back with National Title Belts. Bryan Corley, MTR Middleweight and Tony Stumpf, IR Light Heavyweight. After a short stop to let Uncle Brooks slap us around to wake us up, we will get a visual of where this whole thing started some 6 years ago in 1999. It's called Harrah's now but it use to be Harveys Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs Iowa.

Just outside of Council Bluffs our route suddenly turns south onto Highway 29 which works best for us since we need to go South about then. From there we jump into Iowa but not close enough to see our friends up north such as Russ O'Connell in Waterloo, Dean Lessei in Dubuque and Pat Miletich in Davenport. Last year the 3 teams in Iowa sent 16 fighters to the Nationals with 3 of them, one from each team coming back with National Title Belts. They included Mariah Betts, Team Lessei, IR Junior Division, Junior Lightweight, Nick Anderson, Team O'Connell, FCR Junior Division, Super Welterweight and Marshall Blevins, Team Miletich, MTR Light Middleweight.

As we come out of Iowa around Hamburg, Highway 29 comes into Kansas City, Missouri. Last year there were no fighters from Kansas but Team Finney of St Louis, Missouri and TEAM Voyles of Pacific, Missouri sent 14 fighters to the Tournament with 10 of them coming back with National Title Belts. Three were female and five of them were Junior Division fighters. Champions from Team Finney included Leslie McNamara, FCR Woman's Atomweight, Erin McNamara, FCR Woman's Flyweight, Marc Mayfield, FCR Super Welterweight, Kevin Engle, FCR Light Cruiserweight and Kevin Bozada, FCR Heavyweight. Team Voyles had all Junior Division (Ages 8-17) Champions. They were Brittanny Anic, FCR Junior Division Light Atomweight, Sean Felts, FCR Junior Division Junior Lightweight, T. J. Weir, FCR Junior Division Junior Welterweight, John Felts, FCR Junior Division Lightweight and who could forget, 4 Time National Champion, 13 year old Justin Lawerence (Right - 19-0/10) FCR Junior Division Light Atomweight.

As we exit Kansas City we move onto Highway 70 East towards our final destination, still some 1,300 miles away but as we go through Missouri we will be thinking of even more IKF people such as B.J. Huffman, Chuck Wolfe, Bon Terre, Dan Tharp and Jeff Ford just to name a few.

From Missouri Highway 64 takes us more East until we jump onto Highway 24 South through Southern Illinois headed for Nashville, Tennessee. Last year Illinois sent 12 fighters to the Nationals and came back with 3 National Title Belts. Those Belts belong to Sarah Ross, Team Z, FCR Junior Division Flyweight, Andy Hoffman, Team Blackorby, MTR Light Cruiserweight and "BIG" Mitch Matrasko, Team Garstki, FCR Super Heavyweight.

We will be too far south to shout out to the other known teams of the IKF such as Jim Klauba, Joe Gangi, Glenn Hudson, Sky Drysdale, Jimmy Blann and Ronnie DeLeon just to name a few. we will enter Tennessee around Clarksville on Highway 24 and into Nashville. Only one fighter entered the tournament last year, William Whitlow of Memphis, Tennessee. However he lost his opening bout to eventual champion Andy Hoffman by split decision 29-27, 29-26, 28-29. After Glenn humms a few notes at the Grand Ole Opry we will head out South-East on Highway 24 towards Georgia. We will enter Georgia near the town of Chattanooga where we eventually jump onto Highway 75 South. We will shoot straight through Marietta Georgia but according to the map, the city of Atlanta will tour us around the city rather than through it. But we still may need to stop in to say hello to a few of the Georgia faithful like Brett Moses, Mark Selbee and the crew of LA Boxing - Georgia. Others such as Mike Carlson, Ken Hudson, Gary Brown, Eddie Monger, Mike Wood and Scott Hicks just to name a few may be a little too far off the path to say hello to, but we will be sure to think of 'ya all' as we come through. We may get close enough to Macon Georgia where we can honk at Matthew Waller, and the same goes for James Corbett and his Valdosta Martial Arts Center in Valdosta but can't promise they will hear us. Last year Georgia sent 16 fighters to the Nationals and 3 came back with National Title Belts of which 2 of the 3 were women. Those Belts belong to Susan Wood, Team Wood, FCR Woman's Super Lightweight, Terrie Hicks, Team AMAA, FCR Woman's Super Welterweight and John Greubel, Team LA Boxing, FCR Welterweight.

As we enter Florida on Highway 75/93 we still have about 200 miles to go. Last year Florida sent 2 fighters to the Nationals and only 1 came back with National Title Belt, Jarett "JP" Perelmutter of Ft. Lauderdale, IR Light Welterweight.

If all goes as planned, sometime on Sunday, August 8th after something like 2 straight days of solid driving ( 46 hours 3 minutes according to Yahoo Maps.... ) we will pull up to the front door at the Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa and start the next big mission, unloading and setting up camp. Once we get set up, we will continue the additional work needed to prepare the place for those we created this weekend for, "The BEST Amateur Fighters in North America!"

So the question now is,
"What is it worth to all of you to get there?"
I doubt anyone else will make the 3,000 mile drive Glenn and I will, and don't forget, once the 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic is over, we still have to drive 3,000 miles back home. Gas alone just to get there for our trip will be around $700.00 one way while flying there would only cost us about $200 each from Sacramento, California. But to us there is far more to it than convenience and money saved in travel. As many remember, in 2000, UPS (United Parcel Service - Who was actually our Shipping Sponsor for the event...) lost all of the 75 Championship Belts between here and Council Bluffs, Iowa. NONE of the Title winners were awarded their National Championship Belts that year which meant fighters fought their hearts out and those who won had nothing to take home with them. Lucky for us someone had brought their 1999 Championship belt to the event so we just used it over and over again to award in the ring. Sure, the Champions all got their belts a few weeks later when UPS finally found them. However, despite all this, I personally vowed at that event that I would never again allow any fighter to leave the event without their deserved award.

Nothing hurt worse than to see not just the adults, but the Junior fighters walk away with nothing. So, for the last 3 years, I have drove to this event. In 2001, Glenn made the trip with me when we hosted the event in Olathe (Kansas City) Kansas. To give you an idea to compare this years event venue to the one in Olathe that year, the event room in Kansas was only 6,600 square feet in size. In Orlando, we will be in a Ballroom that is over 18,000 square feet in size plus another 5,000 square feet of warm-up space just outside the door.

In 2002, I made the trip solo to Davenport, Iowa to the Radisson Hotel and River Center. A trip of a little over 1,800 miles. The River Center to us was too big (35,000 sq ft) but had plenty of open space for warm-up area. Last years drive to the 2003 National Tournament was about the same, a tad over 1,800 miles. With me, IAA Director Frank Curtis made the trip to the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the dynamic U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids Iowa. (Frank is the one who makes all the belts for the IKF.) As many know, we would have been going back there this year if not for a matter of several thousand dollars... and a better offer from Orlando for the Tournament. It would have also been about 1,200 miles closer for us to drive too. But this event has never been about convenience for us... and this event never will be. It's about creating the best stage for THE BEST amateur fighters and providing them an opportunity to be able to truly call themselves "THE BEST" when they win it!

This year those who win will be able to call themselves "'THE BEST In NORTH AMERICA!"" Yes, there will be some who say "Well he/she is not the best because I wasn't there..." My response is, "You could have been, but you choose not to." No attacks intended, but this is simply the truth. The SAME words have been spoken for 5 straight years by us here, and all the other camps and fighters who have made the sacrifices to travel to and attended this event from throughout the nation. Anyone and EVERYONE can attend this event but who will is the question every year? You need no prior qualifications, no minimum bouts, not even a winning record. Come August 14th, the first day of competition, all of the past means nothing. It's ANYONE'S Title to win now! The question is, "Will you be there?" If not, where will you be...and what will you be doing...? Instead of trying to be THE BEST?

There have been numerous fighters who entered this event with NO FIGHTS, only to walk away as Champions on Sunday. Fighters with losing records who have done the same. On the other hand, there have been great fighters with great winning records who have been surprised by the great competition and lost in the first round of the bracket on Saturday.

Some will be cutting weight all week leading up to the event just to secure their spot in their division knowing if they don't make weight, even after their allowed time limit to do so, they made the trip for nothing, which has happened only once in the tournament history. Some fighters will fight up to 3 times over the weekend while some may only fight once or twice. ALL the division brackets this year must have a minimum of 3 fighters in them to be a confirmed bracket. This way we are assured of great competition for all. Some will need to be awake early Saturday morning enough to bob and weave as well as kick and punch if they want to make it to the next round and of course, Championship Sunday. Some will stay in the event room all day just waiting for their moment to enter the ring. For those who win on Saturday, it's still not easy. Some will leave the ring victorious but with physical injuries that leave them questioning whether to return on Sunday... But as they think of the prize, all get back in the ring to "Bring it ON!"

No, this event is not about convenience and it's not about "What is Easy." If promoting this event were so easy, Everyone would be doing one. But we don't see any other events even close to this for Amateur Kickboxers in North America. Why? Because it's a lot of work and not to mention, expensive to do. The North American title belts alone this year will be a little over $230 each. Do the math on that number alone and with an estimated 60-80 Champions to award belts to, this number gets up above $13,000 and could be over $18,000 pretty easily. This event isn't about what is cheapest, what is easy or what is convenient. This event is about being a WINNER for all of us involved. As the saying goes, "Winners DO what losers won't!" So true a saying and we know that us here at the IKF want to be Winners!

There will be sacrifices made by many to make it to this event. Time off work, expenses for travel. You name it, we too can think of a thousand reasons why an Amateur fighter would not be able to make this event. Too far away, flight too expensive, can't get off work, can't afford the entree fee, afraid to fight unknown competition, will be somewhere else, will be fighting somewhere else that weekend, has other plans or even those who will say, "The IKF isn't good enough for me to go." Well my friends, this event has far outgrown the three letters "I-K-F." It is far bigger than any one person too. Far bigger than you or I and many others. This event is not about "1" organization or "1" person. This event is far more than that. It was not created by 1 person and it is not achieved every year by one person. This event is about "ALL of Kickboxing" and ALL who help to make it happen. The officials who will make this trip are "THE BEST in North America!" Most making the trip from their own expenses just to be with THE BEST! The trainers who give their valuable time for their fighters dreams will also be known as "The BEST in North America!" Of course, we can't forget those in the ring, the fighters, who ARE THE BEST! But those outside the ring play just as important of a role, the family, friends and fans who support each and every one of them. Speaking of support, lets not forget all of the sponsors of this event and sponsors of the many Fight Teams who have made themselves a part of the best thing for our sport... In North America!

This event is greater than any other event!
Yes, "ANY" Other!
No offense to those "Other" big events but lets look at what we have here...

• Where else is there an event of this size where truly EVERYONE is a part of it's success?
• Where else will you see over 200 of the "Future's" Greatest Amateur Kickboxers (Not semi contact or forms but REAL KICKBOXING!) all in action in one room on the same weekend?
• Where else will you find the greatest trainers at their best, ALL at the same time in one room on the same weekend?
• Where else will you find the greatest officials at their best, ALL at the same time in one room on the same weekend?
• Where else will you see over 50 Champions be crowned on the same weekend?
• Where else will you see fighters from all around North America fighting on the same weekend?
• Where else will you find the 'REAL "Who's Who" in the kickboxing world of North America in ACTION on the same weekend?

This event is about being on the GREATEST Stage in North America for Kickboxing! Still, there will be reasons why some will not be able to make it to this event. And of those thousand or so reasons why someone may not be able to make it, we can only think of one reason why they should...

"To be Called the BEST in North America!"
Fighters, trainers, officials and of course, the friends, family, sponsors and FANS of our Great Sport, KICKBOXING!

I guess the prize just needs to be worth more than the sacrifice to us all. I can assure you, when I see the first Title Belt wrapped around the first fighter on Championship Sunday, I will be reminded, WHY it was all worth the sacrifices made here. We will be there not just because of amateur kickboxing, but Kickboxing as a whole DESERVES such a stage where we can all see, in a fare event judged by the greatest of our peers and in front of those peers, who really are "THE BEST!"

NEWS OF 5-10-04

Wouldn't It Be Great...
By Steve Fossum

Wouldn't it be great if we went a whole week on the Kickboxing Message Board without attacks at other people and other events? It sure would. Recently on the Kickboxing Message Board there has been a lot of discussion about an IKF Regional Tournament and another organizations National Tournament, both taking place in Virginia in June. To avoid more attacks, (We have removed a lot of these from the Message Board) let me address a few things.

1: BYPASSING THE IKF REGIONAL IN YOUR REGION
If you have an IKF Regional in your area but also another event, and for whatever reasons (It doesn't matter here what they are) you want to attend the other event or you just don't want to go to the regional in your region, we have no problem with this. However, if you plan to go to the 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic, you will need to pay the $20 Regional Directors fee. to do so, you will register using the page at this link: Regional Waiver Registration For The IKF Classic

2: THE STAGE HAS BEEN PROVIDED
To add to number 1, I find it kind of odd that so many in the North East in the past have always complained they didn't have an IKF Regional in their region, thus, always putting them at a low seed at the Championship Finals. Well, now you have one, and I understand some of you would rather go to another event to win belts. Thats fine, but consider your support here of your Regional Director that has spent his own money, time and effort to bring you this Regional Tournament Many of you always ask us to support you, or ask this promoter to get you a fight on his other events, yet you don't feel it works both ways. In turn, you simply don't support him and some of you, don't even have the professional respect and courtesy to simply return his phone calls. There is something to think about there.

3: DATES AND TIMING
As for the "DATE" and "TIMING" of the IKF Central East - Virginia Regional Tournament, there was NO INTENTION to cross with another event in the same state. ALL IKF Regionals have always been done in either May or June. ALL must be completed by July 1st. This meant that Craig Smith had NO CHOICE to move his event away from the other. It had to be done in June. So get off the "attacking Craig for his date" issues. We here at the IKF should take the blame for this if there is any because WE told him it had to be done by July 1st.

4: RULE STYLE
As I understand, this other tournament in question has mainly been a supporter of leg kick and muay thai fighters. Yes, they have had some full contact, but mainly leg kick and muay thai styles. Mr. Smith's Regional is ONLY Full Contact rules. Which means, if you want to attend the 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic in Muay Thai or International Rules, you will "NOT" have to pay that $20 Regional directors fee we mentioned above. This is because the fighters in these rules styles, still do not have a regional in their area. Instead, you would register for the 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic as a "Walkover Fighter". To do so, go to this link: Join Walkover.

5: LISTING FIGHTERS
Last year the person who heads up this other tournament in question "Promised and assured me personally" that he would list ALL registered participants of his event WEEKS prior to it. The reason for this was so others could see who their competition was, who was scheduled to fight who, and more so, to assure they had competition so they would not make a trip there for nothing. So I ask, "Where is this list?"
We here at the IKF have ALWAYS made our Fighters List PUBLIC to everyone on the IKF pages for the IKF Championships. In addition, Mr. Smith has chosen to make his list public as well which you can see on this page: HERE.
So it would be nice to see a list for Every Tournament so everyone can see who is attending and who, if anyone, there competition will be. No, boxing does not do this, but hey, I will always believe that we are BETTER than those organizing boxing. At ANY LEVEL! So lets "BE BETTER! WE ARE KICKBOXING!"

6: WHICH IS BETTER
Which of these two events in question are better? Simple answer, Neither.
These are two separate events, two separate organizations, two separate promoters. NEITHER should be slammed and neither should be made out to look better than the other. From what I have been told, Brian Crenshaw (R) has done a great job with the WKA Nationals event over the years. Simply put, BOTH are providing opportunities for fighters. Because of this, it is not our job or Craig Smith's (L) job or Brian Crenshaw's job to FORCE you to go to one over the other. YOU as a fighter and trainer shall choose which you desire and we "DO" support your choice at taking the opportunity to fight on either event so there should be NO BICKERING about this issue.

7: OPPORTUNITIES
Years ago, NONE of us had an opportunity to go to ANY Amateur Tournament. Now the amateur fighters have been offered 2 and sometimes three choices to attend tournaments around North America to become the best. We should ALL be thankful of these opportunities no matter what alphabet letters are at the top of the poster. The fact is, WE ARE ALL KICKBOXING! Lets try to SUPPORT each other rather than destroy each other! Support for each other will only mean more growth of our sport. If we pull out our guns and shoot it out there will be less of us and less of our sport. Lets support our growth and the growth will reward us all in the end. Besides, it never hurts to be able to put SEVERAL Titles on your fight bio. That is ALWAYS an impressive site to see!

8: IN CLOSING
Support and Opportunity.
These two things are what this whole topic is all about. Support those who you "WANT" to support you. This goes both ways so don't expect others to do for you what you are not willing to do for them.
To succeed in life, sometimes we need to grasp at every available opportunity. Make our own path and go for it. I have two sayings on my desk that say,
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I... I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." by Robert Frost.
And
"Sometimes you can get where you want to go by just going there." - Unknown Author.
Odly enough, these phrases have helped us here in the IKF to push forward into new ventures that grow our company as well as the sport overall. Some succeed, but as the natural balance of life goes, some of course will fail, but still, we are never afraid to try and we never give up! Sometimes such choices will require sacrifices, but you will have to determine for yourselves if the sacrifices are worth the exchange of the reward from the opportunity.

I hope all this makes sense and is not taken the wrong way where some of you will still feel you have to argue what I have said here. I wish Brian Crenshaw the best of luck with his WKA Nationals. I wish Craig Smith the best of luck with his IKF "Full Contact Rules" Regional Tournament.
Now... Lets move on...

POSTED ON WEDNESDAY, June 2nd, 2004, AT 8:10 PM, PT

On Any Given Sunday

"The saying in football is that on any given Sunday any team can win. The champions of our sport will have no easy time at the IKF Nationals as the best of the best come to meet the challenge. Fighters rise to the task when faced with great talent and our returning champions surely provide that. Don't hand out the belts quite yet as new talent will certainly emerge and increase the field of fighters to watch. As Jesse Finney puts it "Stay positive". I am positive there will be great fights for all the belts and we will enjoy the best tournament in America. Looking forward to seeing all of you."
By Uncle Brooks - Better known As Brooks Mason

They...ROCKED US!
We Started the Event With The Song "We Will Rock You!" And They DID!

On Saturday morning, the 2003 IKF/TKO USA National Amateur Championship Tournament opened with the lights down low and 10 seconds of silence for the recent loss of MuayThai star Alex Gong. From the darkness, the lights focused on the American Flag as Mary Lee Malmberg (Director of Sports Tourism of the Cedar Rapids CVB) broke the silence with the National Anthem. The moment she was done, the sound system in the massive U. S. Cellular Center Arena blasted out the song "We Will Rock YOU!" setting the stage for the greatest Amateur Kickboxers in America to do just that, ROCK US! And it DID!

As the music played, each fighter took their last breath of air as a spectator and all became champions who all met on this weekend to "Walk The Walk" in the U. S. Cellular Center Arena in Cedar Rapids Iowa at the Greatest IKF National Amateur Tournament to date and very possibly, the Greatest Amateur Kickboxing Tournament EVER!

Or will this year be the Greatest...?

Every year at the end of the summer, REAL Championship Kickboxing takes on a whole new fee. The word "Champion" has a whole new meaning. This has always been a great event not because of the effort of one promoter or the talents of one fighter. This has always been a great because of the efforts of "EVERYONE" associated with the IKF on this given weekend who put in time to make it all possible. From those who run gloves or cleaned floors to the stars of the show, the Champions! Everyone represents a chain that will hold us all strong throughout the entire weekend. Doing their jobs, each will prove in their own way to be the Team's strongest link and through the efforts of the many we will all shine in the success of it.

This year, when the lights in the Empire Ballroom are turned down, only two squares will be visible to those in attendance. The two squares under the ring lights in the middle of the arena where the best amateur kickboxers in North America will take the stage to "Walk The Walk!"

Over the next two days, inside these squares, champions will be made and legends will be born. Some will be new Champions crowned while some will fight to successfully defend their titles of the year before All who enter the ring this weekend will forever be known, as those in the past have, as the "Best Amateur Kickboxers In America and this year, in North America!"

There will be "MANY" stories to tell when it is all over, but the question is, "Will your story be one of the winning ones?" Lets take a look back at the 2003 IKF/TKO National Amateur Champions and who they faced in their Sunday Title Bout to win their IKF Championship Belt. Keep in mind that none of these Champions need to fight at a Regional event to attain top seeding unless change weight, rule style or in the case of Juniors, their age division. Let's see who has earned the right to be called...

The BEST
Amateur Kickboxers
In AMERICA
In 2003!

JUNIOR GIRLS

• IR: Junior Featherweight 60.1-65 lbs. 10-12 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Megan Pfliiger of Kuna, Idaho, USA, (Trained by Troy Pfliiger) defeated Lynsey Reimer of Dubuque, Iowa, USA (Trained by Dean Lessei) by TKO (Corner threw in towel) at :20 seconds of round 2.
• IR: Junior Lightweight 65.1-70 lbs. 8-9 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Mariah Betts of Dubuque, Iowa, USA (Trained by Dean Lessei) defeated Allie Oudthone of Jacksonville, Arkansas, USA (Trained by Prathet - Muay Thai) by TKO (Corner threw in towel) at 1 minute of round 1.
• FCR: Junior Cruiserweight 90.1-95 lbs. 11 & 12 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Alyssa DeFazio of Phoenix, Arizona, USA (Trained by Clement & Rhonda Vierra) defeated Bianca Solis of Nampa, Idaho, USA (Trained by Chris Reyna) by unanimous decision 30-27 on all 3 judges cards.
• FCR: Light Atomweight 100.1-105 lbs. 13 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Brittanny Anic of St Louis, Missouri, USA (Trained by Benny Voyles) defeatedJackie Artaga of Plainview, Texas, USA (Trained by Tommy Alcozar) by unanimous decision 30-27 on all 3 judges cards.
• IR: Atomweight 105.1-110 lbs. 17 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Jody Esquibel of Albq., New Mexico, USA (Trained by Mike Winkeljohn) defeated Amber Baillie of Peoria, Illinois, USA (Trained by Ryan Blackorby) by split decision, 29-28, 29-28 and 27-30.
• IR: Flyweight 115.1-120 lbs. 13-14-15 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Rochelle Williams of Camp Verde, Arizona, USA (Trained by Richard Williams) defeated Lauren Herrig, Dubuque, Iowa, USA (Trained by Dean Lessei) by unanumous decision, 30-23, 29-26, 29-24.
• FCR: Flyweight 115.1-120 lbs. 12 & 13 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Sarah Ross of Algonquin, Illinois, USA (Trained by Rob Zbilski) defeated Laura Jo Wessels of Beloit, Wisconsin, USA (Trained by Peter Hetrick) by unanimous decision, 30-27 on all 3 judges cards.
• FCR: Featherweight 125.1-130 lbs. 16-17 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Nicole Hess of Alexandria, Virginia, USA(Trained by Mike Hess) defeated Rachelle Heslop of Douglasville, Georgia, USA (Trained by Mike Wood) by unanimous decision 30-27 on all 3 judges cards.

JUNIOR BOYS

• IR: Junior Flyweight 50.1-55 lbs. 8-9 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Jonathan Perez of Plainview, Texas, USA (Trained by Tommy Alcozar) defeated Michael Blake of Dubuque, Iowa, USA (Trained by Dean Lessei) by unanimous decision 30-26 on all 3 judges cards.
• FCR: Junior Lightweight 65.1-70 lbs. 10 - 11 - 12 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Sean Felts of Pacific, Missouri, USA (Trained by Benny Voyles) defeated Ben Russell of Falls Church, Virginia, USA (Trained by Mike Hess) by unanimous decision 30-27, 29-28, 29-28.
• FCR: Junior Welterweight 70.1-75 lbs. 9 - 10 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Mario Solis of Nampa, Idaho, USA (Trained by Chris Reyna) defeated Devin Smith of Beloit, Wisconsin, USA (Trained by Craig Monyelle) by split decision 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.
• FCR: Junior Welterweight 70.1-75 lbs. 11 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION T. J. Weir of Robertsville, Missouri, USA (Trained by Benny Voyles) defeated Raul Mortinez of Plainview, Texas, USA (Trained by Tommy Alcozar) by unanimous decision, 29-28, 29-28, 30-27.
• FCR: Junior Light Heavyweight 80.1-85 lbs. 12-13 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Michael Holcomb of Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA (Trained by Craig Smith) defeated Edson Renteria of Plainview, Texas, USA (Trained by Tommy Alcozar) by unanimous decision, 30-27 on all 3 judges cards.
• FCR: Junior Cruiserweight 90.1-95 lbs. 9 - 10 - 11 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Aaron Rendon of Plainview, Texas, USA (Trained by Tommy Alcozar) defeated Phreddy Capers of Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA (Trained by Craig Smith) by unanimous decision, 30-27 on all 3 judges cards.
• FCR: Light Atomweight 100.1-105 lbs. 11-12-13 Year Olds
  1. CHAMPION Justin Lawerence of Pacific, Missouri, USA (Trained by Benny Voyles) won his 4th IKF National Tournament Title when he defeated Andre Camarena of Norcross, Georgia, USA (Trained by George Allen) by unanimous decision 30-25, 30-25, 30-26.
• IR: Super Atomweight 110.1-115 lbs. 14-15 Year Old.
  1. CHAMPION Ernesto Sierra of Camp Verde, Arizona, USA (Trained by Richard Williams) defeated Zein Al-Ziyadi of Detroit, Michigan, USA (Trained by Elliot Cooper) by unanimous decision 30-27 on all 3 judges cards.
• IR: Bantamweight 120.1 lbs. - 125 lbs. 14, 15,16 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Umear Haq of Lorton, Virginia, USA (Trained by Mike Hess) defeated Kole Campbell of Twin Falls, Idaho, USA (Trained by Brian Higgins) by unanimous decision, 29-27, 30-26, 30-26.
• FCR: Lightweight 130.1-135 lbs. 14 & 15 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Matt Puckett of Jacksonville, Arkansas, USA (Trained by Prathet - Muay Thai) defeated William Phillips of Greer, South Carolina, USA (Trained by Kevin Hudson) by unanimous decision, 29-27 on all 3 judges cards.
• FCR: Lightweight 130.1-135 lbs. 16 & 17 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION John Felts of Pacific, Missouri, USA (Trained by Benny Voyles) retained his 2002 title when he defeated Koda Sanborn of Waterloo, Iowa, USA (Trained by Russ O'Connell) by TKO at 1:29 of round 1.
• FCR: Super Welterweight, 147.1 lbs. - 153 lbs. 16-17 Year Olds
  1. CHAMPION Nick Anderson of Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA (Trained by Russ O'Connell) defeated Mike Spelz of Chicago, Illinois, USA (Trained by Jim Klauba) by split decision 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.
• FCR: Light Middleweight, 153.1 lbs. - 159 lbs. 16-17 Year Olds.
  1. CHAMPION Jeff Turner of Detroit, Michigan, USA (Trained by Elliot Cooper) defeated Jason Barrett of Moultrie, Georgia, USA (Trained by James Corbett) by TKO at 56 seconds into round 2.

ADULT WOMEN

• FCR: Atomweight 113.1 - 117 lbs
  1. CHAMPION Leslie McNamara of St Louis, Missouri, USA (Trained by Finney's Kickboxing) defeated Elizabeth Ortega of Elgin, Illinois, USA (Trained by Rob Zbilski) by unanimous decision, 30-27 on all 3 judges cards.
• FCR: Flyweight 117.1 lbs., - 120 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Erin McNamara of St Louis, Missouri, USA (Trained by Finney's Kickboxing) defended her 2002 title when she defeated Suzanne Anderson of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA (Trained by C. B. Bunkholt) by unanimous decision 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.
• MTR: Bantamweight 120.1 lbs. - 124 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION: Katie Meehan of Denver, Colorado, USA (Trained by Aaron Williams & Clarance Thatch) was the only walkover winner of the 2003 Nationals when her opponents Alison Moore (2002 IR Champion) of New York, New York, USA (Trained by Steve Ventura) and opponent Alona Kipp of Casper, Wyoming, USA (Trained by Jarred Nab) were both no shows at the event. Although not confirmed, it is possible Williams did not show because of a massive power outage in the north/east USA and parts of Canada that shut down many airports (Including New York) on Thursday before the event.
• FCR: Featherweight 124.1 - 128 Lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Kornelija Numic of Dallas, Texas, USA (Trained by Doyle Gaylor) defeated Stephanie Kernan of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA (Trained by Michael Lind) by unanimous decision 29-28, 30-27, 30-27.
• FCR: Super Lightweight 132.1 lbs. - 137 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Susan Wood of Douglasville, Georgia, USA (Trained by Mike Wood) defeated Andrea Zalas of Simpsonville, South Carolina, USA (Trained by Ray Thompson) by unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.
• MTR: Super Lightweight 132.1 lbs. - 137 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Kathleen Bem of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (Trained by Ray Sarkine) defeated Avigail Yahudah of Athens, Georgia, USA (Trained by Scott Hicks) by unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 30-27.
• IR: Light Welterweight 137.1 lbs. - 142 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Amy Wilson of Alexandria, Virginia, USA (Trained by Mike Hess) defeated Jill Schmidt of Avon, Indiana, USA (Trained by Ray Barkine) by unanimous decision 29-28 on all 3 judges cards.
• FCR: Super Welterweight 147.1 lbs - 153 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Terrie Hicks of Augusta, Georgia, USA (Trained by AMAA) defeated Chrisanne Roseleip (2002 Defending Super Welterweight Champion) of Denver, Colorado, USA (Trained by Clarence Thatch) by split decision 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.
• FCR: WOMAN'S TOURNAMENT - Middleweight 162 lbs. - 172 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Jenna Droluk of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA (Trained by Randy Pogue) defeated Bobbie Brown of Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA (Trained by Gary Brown) by TKO at 1:56 of round 2.

ADULT MEN

• FCR: Featherweight 124.1 lbs. - 128 lbs
  1. CHAMPION Nelson Lebron of Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA (Trained by Craig Smith) defeated Dallas Croweof Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA (Trained by Kevin Hudson) by split decision 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.
• IR: Lightweight 128.1 lbs. to 132 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Bill Dexter of Charleston, West, Virginia, USA (Trained by Butch Hiles) defeatedDavid Oudthone of Jacksonville, Arkansas, USA (Trained by Prathet - Muay Thai) by TKO at 1:19 of round 2.
• FCR: Super Lightweight 132.1 lbs. to 137 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Zac George of Watonga, Oklahoma, USA (Trained by Scott Conan Mincey) defeated 2002 defending champion Robert Elledge of Roseville, California, USA (Trained by Dave Marinoble) by split decision 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.
• IR: Super Lightweight 132.1 lbs. to 137 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Brent Hess of Alexandria, Virginia, USA (Trained by Mike Hess) defeated Hassan Makky of Dearborn, Michigan, USA (Trained by Elliot Cooper) by TKO at :34 seconds into round 3.
• FCR: Light Welterweight 137.1 lbs. to 142 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Doyle Gayler of Kaufman, Texas, USA (Trained by Chuck Best) successfully retained his 2002 title when he defeated Derrick Jones of Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA (Trained by Leroy Curtis) by unanimous decision 30-27 on all 3 judges cards.
• IR: Light Welterweight 137.1 lbs. to 142 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Jarett "JP" Perelmutter of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA (Trained by Mike Hess) defeated Virgil Begay of Albq., New Mexico, USA (Trained by Mike Winkeljohn) by unanimous decision 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.
• FCR: Welterweight 142.1 lbs. to 147 lbs
  1. CHAMPION John Greubel of Alanta, Georgia, USA (Trained by LA Boxing) defeated Marcelo Bezon of Wavonda, Illinois, USA (Trained by Shishan Gangi) by majority decision 28-28, 29-27, 29-27.
• FCR: Super Welterweight 147.1 lbs. to 153 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Marc Mayfield of St Louis, Missouri, USA (Trained by Finney's Kickboxing) successfully defended his 2002 Title when he defeated Shelton Barnes of Mundelein, Illinois, USA (Trained by Jim Zbilski) by unanimous decision 29-26, 29-26, 28-27.
• IR: Super Welterweight 147.1 lbs. to 153 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Clifford Larson of Camp Verde, Arizona, USA (Trained by Richard Williams) defeated Dylan Leonard of St Louis, Missouri, USA (Trained by Finney's Kickboxing) by unanimous decision 30-27, 29-28, 29-28.
• MTR: Super Welterweight 147.1 lbs. to 153 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Joe Cruz of Albq., New Mexico, USA (Trained by Mike Winkeljohn) defeated Liajdub Vang of Des Moines, Iowa, USA (Self Trained) by TKO at 1:25 of round 3.
• FCR: Light Middleweight 153.1 lbs to 159 lbs
  1. CHAMPION Anthony McGaughey of Norman, Oklahoma, USA (Trained by Scott Mincey) successfully defended his 2002 title and won his 4th IKF USA National Tournament Title when he defeated Shannon Hudson of Greer, South Carolina, USA (Trained by Kevin Hudson) by unanimous decision, 30-27, 29-28, 30-27.
• IR: Light Middleweight 153.1 lbs to 159 lbs
  1. CHAMPION Clint Rhodes of Albq., New Mexico, USA (Trained by Bill Packer) defeated Josh Wilson of Twin Falls, Idaho, USA (Self Trained) by unanimous decision 29-28 on all 3 judges cards.
• MTR: Light Middleweight 153.1 lbs to 159 lbs
  1. CHAMPION Marshall Blevins of Davenport, Iowa, USA (Trained by Pat Miletich) defeated David Flurry of Dubuque, Iowa, USA (Trained by Dean Lessei) by TKO at 1:40 of round 2.
• FCR: Middleweight 159.1 lbs to 165 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Travis Buchholz of Fall Creek, Wisconsin, USA (Trained by Michael Lind) defeated Nathan Bagby of Plano, Texas, USA (Trained by Geoff Laun) by unanimous decision 30-27 on all 3 judges cards.
• MTR: Middleweight 159.1 lbs to 165 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Bryan Corley of Omaha, Nebraska, USA (Trained by Mick Doyle) defeated Steve Rapinski of Wyandotte, Michigan, USA (Trained by Elliot Cooper) by split decision 30-27, 30-27, 28-29.
• IR: Super Middleweight 165.1 lbs to 172 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Derrick Burnsed of Roseville, California, USA (Trained by Dave Marinoble) defeated Roberto Carrillo, Camp Verde, Arizona, 13-3, 166, 30, Richard Williams, by split decision 29-28, 29-28, 27-30.
• FCR: Light Heavyweight 172.1 lbs to 179 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION John Vakidis of Dallas, Texas, USA (Trained by Steve Goin) defeated Sean Crowe of Waterloo, Iowa, USA (Trained by Russ O'Connell) by TKO at the end of round 2.
• IR: Light Heavyweight 172.1 lbs to 179 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Tony Stumpf of Omaha, Nebraska, USA (Trained by Mick Doyle) Successfully defended his 2002 National Title in the largest bracket of the event (The full limit of 8 fighters) and fought the most rounds (10) of every fighter thanks to having to fight a 4th round tie breaking round in his opening bout. He won the title when he defeated Jason Moore of Trenton, Michigan, USA (Trained by Elliot Cooper) by split decision 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.
• FCR: Light Cruiserweight 179.1 lbs to 186 lbs
  1. CHAMPION Kevin Engle of St Louis, Missouri, USA (Trained by Finney's Kickboxing) defeated 2002 National Champion Bill Jardine of Mondovi, Wisconsin, USA (Trained by Michael Lind) by unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 30-27.
• IR: Light Cruiserweight 179.1 lbs to 186 lbs
  1. CHAMPION P. J. Reilly of Grand Junction, Colorado, USA (Trained by Matt Wood) defeated Rob Matthews of (2002 Defending Light Cruiserweight Champion) Denver, Colorado, USA (Trained by Clarence Thatch) by split decision 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.
• MTR: Light Cruiserweight 179.1 lbs to 186 lbs
  1. CHAMPION Andy Hoffman of Hanna City, Illinois, USA (Trained by Ryan Blackorby) defeated Joel Donnelly of Davenport, Iowa, USA (Trained by Pat Miletich) by unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 30-27.
• MTR: Cruiserweight 186.1 lbs to 195 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Dan Pemble of Marquette, Michigan, USA (Trained by Kak Koonnala) Successfully defended his 2002 National Title when he defeated Yahosuah Yahudah of Athens Georgia, USA (Trained by Scott Hicks) by unanimous decision 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.
• FCR: Heavyweight 195.1 lbs. to 215 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Kevin Bozada of St Louis, Missouri, USA (Trained by Finney's Kickboxing) defeated Mark Adams of Douglasville, Georgia, USA (Trained by Mike Wood) by unanimous decision 30-26 on all 3 judges cards.
• IR: Heavyweight 195.1 lbs. to 215 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION Steven Simmons of Greenley, Colorado, USA (Trained by James Pisani) defeated Dusty Miller of Norman, Oklahoma, USA (Trained by Scott Mincey) by unanimous decision 30-27, 29-28, 29-28.
• MTR: Heavyweight 195.1 lbs. to 215 lbs.
  1. CHAMPION John Castle (Right) of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (Self Trained) defeated Chuck Baxter of Dubuque, Iowa, USA (Trained by Dean Lessei) by TKO at 1:50 of round 3.
• FCR: Super Heavyweight 215.1 lbs. and up.
  1. CHAMPION Mitch Matrasko of Glendale Hts, Illinois, USA (Trained by Larry Garstki) defeated Eric Lalone of Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA (Trained by John Moncayo) by split decision 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.

So... Will your name be listed as CHAMPION for 2004? Only time will tell, but before that happens, first you need to get there. So make your plans, your reservations and most importantly, TRAIN HARD! Because at the 2004 IKF/TKO North American Classic, there will be no easy wins. Everyone who enters the ring will be there to prove to us all that on that day, THEY are THE BEST in North America and they will be more than ready to "Walk The Walk!"

THURSDAY, June 10th, 2004, AT 2:55 PM, PT

Blackorby & All
ROCK The Midwest!!
RE/MAX Kickboxing Invitational

North Central MuayThai/International Rules Regional Tournament & PRO Bouts!
JUNE 5th, RiverPlex Sports Arena, Peoria, Illinois, USA

IKF Peoria, Illinois, USA: So Whats New? IKF Promoter Ryan Blackorby (Right) once again offers a big fight party in the Midwest for the "BEST" and of course, "They ALL ROCKED!" Yes, last Saturday, June 5th Blackorby hosted his annual RE/MAX Kickboxing Invitational sponsored by RE/MAX Unlimited and and Miller Lite.

The event featured the IKF North Central Regional Seeding Tournament for MuayThai and International Rule fighters to attain higher seeding for the 2004 IKF North American Classic in August in Orlando, Florida, USA. Along with the Amateur Regional bouts Blackorby put together 3 great Pro MuayThai bouts. In one of them there was a little controversy as to why it wasn't for an IKF Title. More on that later...

To the Fights!
As reported by Mr. Kurt Podany

The first set of bouts were fought during the daytime portion of the event. The night time show is listed below.
Preliminaries

• MTR Adult Mens 195-186 lbs.
  • Mike Aref vs. Kevin Elmore: Aref, 28, from Ryan Blackerby's camp fought Elmore, 25, from Indianapolis, IN trained by Ray Sarkine. Aref won by decision with powerful punches and aggressiveness.
  • Charles Pemble vs. Justin Abatie: Pemble 48, from Marquette, MI under Kak Koonala fought Abatie 23, from Pekin, IL. The fight went 3 rounds with a unanimous decision. Pemble won with forward aggressiveness, powerful hooks on the inside.
• MTR Adult Men 159-153 lbs.
  • Shawn Maki vs. Japhory Walton: Maki, 26, from Marquette, MI under US Muay Thai fought Walton 32, from Brooklyn Park, MN under Greg Nelson. Shawn won this preliminary bout with good positioning and superior clinch techniques.
  • Steve Radinski vs. Mark Jones: Radinski, NR, from Detroit, MI under Elliott Cooper moves ahead due to his opponent was a no show at bell time
• MTR Junior Boys Exhibition 60 lbs.
  • Tyler Wuebker vs. Luke Lessei: Wuebker, 8, from Carroll, IA fought Lessei, 8, from Dubuque, IA. Both fighters trained under Dean Lessei. Luke won his match over Tyler in a unanimous decision.
• MTR Mens 147-142 lbs.
  • Saul Mitchell vs. Brian Skjold: Mitchell, 31, from Shakopee, MN under Nat McIntyre fought Skjold, 26, from Marquette, MI under Kak Koonala. Saul won with a unanimous decision using powerful boxing skills followed by knee work.
• MTR Mens 172-165 lbs.
  • Adam Frankow vs. Tony Head: Frankow 26, from Minneapolis, MN under Greg Nelson fought Head, 36, from Indianapolis, IN under Ray Sarkine. Tony took all 3 rounds with superior boxing skills & power
• 90 lbs.
  • Jayme Brower vs. Austin Thomas: Brower, 10, from Carroll, IA under Pete Peterson fought Thomas, 8, from Dubuque, IA under Dean Lessei. Austin won the fight with aggressive, forward techniques and a set of hands that appeared unstoppable by Brower.
• 186-179 lbs.
  • Dan Pemble vs. Chandler Lowe: Pemble, 22, from Marquette, MI under Kak Koonala fought Lowe 34, from Park Forest, IL under Ryan Blackerby. Pemble's powerful kicks and punches sent Lowe, crouching over. The fight was stopped by referee, Kurt Podany at 1:18 in the 1st round due to an accidental knee to Lowe's chin.
• Junior Boys 95-90 lbs.
  • Jesse Runyon vs. Jasper Sudelska: Runyon, 12, from New Haven, IN under Raul Llopis fought Sudelska, 9, from Dubuque, IA. Runyon won by decision all 3 cards with his punching power and combinations.
• 153-147 lbs
  • Alvaro Rojas vs. Aki Sato: Rojas, 22, from Romeoville, IL under Ricardo Perez fought Sato, 27, from Indianapolis, IN under John Castle. Alvaro won this fight to go to the finals with good boxing skills and knees to the body. Great combinations.

Championship Bouts

• IR Junior Girls 60-55 lbs.
  • Mary Ann Flury vs. Haley Rothmeyer: Flury, 8, from Dubuque, IA under Dean Lessei fought Rothmeyer, 8, from Carroll, IA under Pete Peterson. Mary Ann won with a unanimous decision with busy hands and a great cross punch.
• IR Junior Boys 150-145 lbs.
  • Joel Merrick vs. Willie Runyon: Merrick, 14, from Carroll, IA under Pete Peterson fought Runyon, 15, from New Haven, IN. Willie won the championship with combinations from hands and feet with powerful effect on Merrick. It was a unanimous decision in all three rounds to Runyon.
• MTR Adult Mens 137-132 lbs.
  • Armente' Gordor vs. Matt Shannon: Gordor, 19, from Chicago, IL under Greg Nelson fought Shannon, 18, from Westside, IA under Pete Peterson. Armante' had this fight won with stunning kicks, especially RT round kick, and boxing skills. He kept Shannon bucking up and in Armente's range. A very messy fight with a 5 minute recovery due to a shot to the groin in the 2nd round. Referee, Kurt Podany, eventually stopped the fight at 1:26 in the 3rd round for TKO winner Armente'.
• Women's 142-137 lbs.
  • Katie Vegel vs. Jerica Veach: Vegel, 24, from Minneapolis, MN under Greg Nelson fought Veach, 14, from Dubuque, IA under Dean Lessei. This bout became the ladies fight of the tournament. Very exciting with Katie's superior clinch work and Jerica's straight right cross and body crunching front kicks. Veach won in a 4th round tie-breaker. WOW
• IR Adult Mens 179-172
  • Jason Moore vs. Damion Hackett: Moore, 24, from Detroit, MI under Elliott Cooper fought Hackett, NR, from Glidden, IA under Pete Peterson. Damion gets a standing 8 in the first round and Moore wins by unanimous decision for all 3 cards.
• MTR Adult Womens 118 lbs.
  • Lauren Herrig vs. Karin Jacobson: Herrig, 14, from Dubuque, IA fought Jacobson, 31, from Minneapolis, MN. Lauren won all 3 cards with her aggressive knee work and positioning.
• MTR Adult Mens 142-137 lbs.
  • James Shin vs. Tim Sieloff: Shin, 22, from Indianapolis, IN fought Sieloff, 26, from Champaign, IL who is self-trained. Sieloff lost all 3 rounds to Shin's positioning and set up of techniques.
• MTR Junior Boys 60 lbs.
  • Luke Lessei vs. Mike Blake: Lessei, 8, fought Blake, 9, both from Dubuque, IA under Dean Lessei. Lessei lost to the punching numbers and power of Blake. It went the full 3 rounds going to Blake.

Junior Womens Exhibition:
Mariah Betts vs. Kayla Carpenter: Betts 10, weighed in at 74 lbs, IA fought Carpenter 11, weighing in at 118 lbs. Both fighters are from Dubuque, IA under Dean Lessei. The '*non recorded' split decision went to Betts for the win.
(*) Due to the weight spread, the bout was not a sanctioned bout.

Night Show Riverplex Finals and Professional Fights

Amateur Regional Finals

• MTR Adult Mens 147-142 lbs
  • Saul Mitchell vs. Jim Bleau: Mitchell who won in the morning preliminaries, fought Bleau 19, from Ishpeming, MI under Kak Koonala. Saul won with a split decision. He had wild movements, a cocky attitude and snake-like strikes. Bleau was out positioned and out gunned.
• 159-153 lbs.
  • Shawn Maki vs. Steve Radinski: Maki, who won in the morning preliminaries fought Radinski, NR, from Detroit, MI under Elliott Cooper. Another split decision going for Radinski's favor. Radinski had powerful punches, great hooks followed by a good cross. Great positioning and a tough fighter.
• MTR Womens 127-122 lbs.
  • Amber Gallager vs. Suzanne Binder: Gallager, 24, from Morton, IL under Ryan Blackerby fought Binder, 24, from Indianapolis, IN under Ray Sarkine. Amber marched right in and stole this one with powerful hooks and straight rights. Referee, David Rodgers, stopped the bout 1:51 in the 2nd round. Good call ref, Suzanne did not want to return for the 3rd round.
• MTR Adult Men 153-147 lbs.
  • Andy Brandle vs. Alvaro Rojas: Brandle, 18, of Clinton, WI fought the morning winner Rojas. Rojas had his hands full but won by a split decision. His powerful boxing skills and long knee payed off to be the winner.
• 179-172 lbs.
  • Kyle Groenwold vs. John Michael Rogers: Groenwold NR, from Delavan, IL under Ryan Blackerby fought Rogers, 29, from Minneapolis, MN under Greg Nelson. This fight was as close as they get. Kyle, with accurate long range tools and Mike, with great clinch work and a powerful right leg kick. The judges saw it go to Kyle by a split decision.
• MTR Adult Womens 112 lbs.
  • Tammy Anderson vs. Sarah Lawson: Anderson, 25, from Indianapolis, IN under Ray Sarkine fought Lawson, 29, of Minneapolis, MN under Greg Nelson. Tammy wanted this one bad. She was very aggressive in the clinch and knees. But, it was her relentless punches in the 3rd round that won her a unanimous decision.
• MTR Adult Mens 195-186 lbs.
  • Mike Aref vs. Charles Pemble: Both fighters fought in the preliminaries. Pemble's attack was hard and fierce. His body strength a sure factor. But Aref held out with his long range punches. They were effective enough to win 2 out of 3 judges.
    • REVIEW: This bout has been asked to go under review by Mr. Pemble due to the uneven scoring that occurred due to an officials time out for what Pemble thought was a questionable low blow. Pemble had thought that an eight count was expected instead since he felt Aref was out on his feet. Due to this, the IKF is awaiting a reply from the referee and representative as well as a fight video from Mr. Pemble to see if the decision of this bout should be reversed or scores adjusted for any reason.
• 172-165 lbs.
  • Tom Grimmer vs. Tony Head: Grimmer, 24, from Pewokee, WI under Oscar Medina fought Head, the winner of the morning preliminary. This fight was stopped by referee, David Rodgers, 1:42 in the first round due to a devastating kick to Tony's head. Grimmer had hit Tony early with the same kick giving Head a standing 8. The second time was a winner for a knockout.
• 165-159 lbs.
  • Bill Stamp vs. Andy Uhlenkamp: Stamp, 24, from Bloomington, IL under Ryan Blackerby fought Uhlenkamp, 18, from Westside, IA under Pete Peterson. Stamp cleaned up in the 1st round with a knockout. Referee, David Rodgers, stopped the bout 1:32 in the 1st round. Stamp's right hand was too much.
• 215-195 lbs.
  • Chuck Baxter vs. Lance Mathis: Baxter, 31, from Dubuque, IA under Dean Lessei fought Mathis, 38, from Minneapolis, MN under Greg Nelson. Baxter won the 3 judges with his big punching combinations. The south-paw knew how to throw a leg kick. This was an exhausting match for both fighters.

Professional MuayThai Fights

• 170 Lb Division: Derrick Noble vs Peter Blythe
  • Noble under Ryan Blackerby fought Blythe of Canada. Noble's first Pro fight started his career with a bang. He destroyed the Canadian with hand combinations, hooks and crosses. Bylthe received 2 standing 8 counts before referee, Kurt Podany stopped the bout 2:45 in the 1st round. Lookout Pros!
• 154 Lb Division: Jeremy Harminsen vs. Eric Wu
  • Harminsen (IKF Pro MTR US Middleweight Champion at Right) weighed in at 154 lbs to Wu's 147 lbs, but Harminsen didn't need weight to factor in his lethal arsenal of strikes. Wu moved backwards in defense as Harminsen hit with precision and accuracy in everything he did. Two standing 8's from not defending himself led to a 10 count and waived off as referee, Kurt Podany stopped the bout in 1:58 in the 1st round.
• 132 Lb Division: Raul Llopis vs Nat McIntyre
  • This fight came with the controversy of whether or not McIntyre (R) should be allowed a professional match against a 3 time champion like Llopis (L). The question was answered Saturday night. YES!
    What a fight it was. As Great as it gets. Both fighters started out smart, ranging and feeling each other out. Llopis with lightening fast combinations, putting his feet behind his hands. McIntyre with great movement and countering ability followed by a punishing right-leg leg kick. Slowing Llopis' movement in the later rounds. Both fighters had their hands full and the tension in the corner between rounds was high. McIntyre under Greg Nelson, showed with his solid positioning and always answering the blows. But, the judges saw Llopis' combinations landing with accuracy and McIntyre not backing up an inch. Llopis did not win every round in the judges eyes, but it was enough to win the fight. This one deserves an encore.
    Thanks go to Ryan Blackerby for putting on a great show.

IKF Response To Unapproved Title
To best explain all this we will offer a time line of all the particulars that lead up to this decision:

• When this IKF Pro U.S. Title bout was approved it was between Raul Llopis and a fighter named "MATT" McIntyre. We had been informed of an impressive record from a trusted and reliable source of the fighter named Matt McIntyre.
• However, about 10 days prior to the event we were informed that the fighter "MATT" McIntyre was actually a fighter named "Nat" McIntyre and the actual the information we had received had been mixed through the channels of communication.
• We next discovered that "Nat" McIntyre was the same fighter as who we were told was "MATT" McIntyre.
• It was soon after this that we next found out that "Nat" had just fought for a WKA AMATEUR Title on May 14th, 2004 in New York City, New York. (Click here for verification.). In this bout McIntyre had defeated amateur fighter Rob Bell by TKO at 54 seconds of 5th Round.
• What this meant to us was that Nat McIntyre was still an "AMATEUR" fighter and would be making his PRO DEBUT on Mr. Blackorby's event and fighting for a "PRO" Title. This of course could never be approved and on the slim chance it would have, we would have never heard the end of it, sanctioning a PRO Title fight with a fighter making his PRO DEBUT. Yes, other organizations have done this and continue to do this just for the sanctioning fee money and or just to over hype the local fighter, fighting for a title.
• According to IKF Title Requirements, it was now our knowledge that Mr. McIntyre did not have a pro record to qualify him as a contender for this title. Any Pro Title for that matter.
• We next took this another step, contacting Mr. McIntyre's trainer directly. His trainer informed us that Mr. McIntyre had 3 pro fights. We asked him to e-mail us the information about these bouts such as when they were, who he fought, what the decision was. This was done... Well, most of it. What we received was information about 3 bouts Mr. McIntyre fought. They were:
  1. Gawilla Stadium, Thailand: Nat McIntyre VS Nopawn "JR" Po Sa (Pawn Sawn Kiat Busaba)
  2. Shooto Japan: Nat McIntyre VS Katsuhisa Akasaki, 2/6/03
  3. San Diego, California: Nat McIntyre VS OT
• Of the 3 bouts we were informed of, none of them had the results which meant, even if he did have 3 Pro bouts, we still didn't know what his record was and only 1 had a date to it.
• we next e-mailed Mr. McIntyre's trainer back asking for the bout results. Although we received a return receipt of the e-mail, we never received any response to inform us of the results of these 3 bouts which in turn left us without knowledge of Mr. McIntyre's PRO record.
• This brought us back to square one. We had two fighters who we knew had good MuayThai experience scheduled to fight each other. We were never planning to outright "Cancel" the bout but the approval of the title was obviously in question due to Mr. McIntyre's Pro Fight Record. In the end we had to stick to the rules and regulations as set down by the title board. The bout would go forward but there would be no title.
• IN CLOSING: "In Hindsight" now after the fight, we are sorry such a great bout was not sanctioned for an IKF Pro Title. Do we feel we made the wrong decision? Absolutely not! Here's why. If this were for an IKF Pro Title, and it ended the way it did with Raul Llopis winning, the critics of our sport would have been front and center with negative comments towards several here, not just the IKF.
  • To the IKF of course, we would have been accused of sanctioning this title just to put money in our pockets from the sanctioning fees and not standing by our title contender requirements. We would have been attacked as well as laughed at for allowing a fighter with an unknown PRO record to fight for ANY IKF Pro Title. Keep in mind here that we STILL don't know the results of Mr. McIntyre's 3 Pro bouts we were informed of. He could have lost all 3 giving him a Pro record of 0 wins and 3 loses for all we know. We will go one step farther, we admire Nat McIntyre Greatly! Nat was a 1999 IKF/Ringside USA National Tournament Champion! However, just because we know and admire Nat doesn't mean we can just play the "Good Ol Boy" game and waive all requirements so he could have a shot at an IKF Pro Title. In a situation similar to this one, we learned that lesson long ago, paid the price, corrected it and will never make such an error again.
  • Down the road, Raul Llopis could also be attacked by others who may say, "Sure your a Title holder, but heck, you beat an amateur or a pro with no wins." Such people of course would individuals who DID NOT see this great fight, thinking Mr. McIntyre's performance was less than it was.
  • Or worse yet, some could have attacked Mr. Blackorby saying "You just wanted to match Raul up with someone without much experience for an easy win and a title belt." Again, Such people of course would individuals who DID NOT see this great fight, thinking Mr. McIntyre's performance was less than it was.
  • Or worse yet, as MANY other non IKF Promoters do today, some could have accused Mr. Blackorby of just matching a title bout on his event without qualified contenders just to hype his event. Of course, we all know this event didn't need any extra HYPE.
  • However, as many here know, this is the main reasons some promoters don't sanction with the IKF. Because they don't want to have to use "Top Contenders" for the title bouts on their events, and or they want THEIR unranked guy to fight another unranked guy for a big, made up title, even a World Title sometimes. Simply put, "Why do it right when I can cut corners and get anything I want!" This of course is what is hurting our sport. "Too many Champions that never qualified for the title they hold in the first place."
• Mr. Blackorby's event did not need any "False Hype!"
  Raul Llopis didn't need an easy opponent, his ability speaks for itself.
  But there is more to this as Mr. Podany already said, Nat McIntyre "IS" a GREAT Fighter, and is a fighter who should be strongly considered for this or any IKF Pro Title in this division! We all know this "NOW" because we know the performance of McIntyre. Such a conclusion could not have been determined prior to their meeting in the ring.
  What if we did sanction this bout as an IKF Pro US Title and Llopis KO'ed McIntyre in the opening round? No he didn't, but still, "What If?"
  What would people be saying today?

For more info contact Mr. Ryan Blackorby at (309) 657-6787.
Mr. Blackorby is the owner and head Muay Thai Kickboxing coach at the Peoria Athletic Club. Ryan has been actively promoting amateur and professional kickboxing for the last five years. For more info go to www.peoriaathleticclub.com

FRIDAY, June 11th, 2004, AT 3:30 PM, PT

Helpful Info For The
2004 IKF North American Classic

This news post is for those who have been asking questions such as, "Who is Eligible to compete at the 2004 IKF North American Classic this August 13th, 14th and 15th in Orlando, Florida?" Or anything else. We hope it helps.

• WHO CAN ATTEND
  • AMATEUR Fighters ONLY! To see our stance on what we (IKF) Classify as an AMATEUR Fighter please CLICK HERE
  AGE DIVISIONS
  • Junior Fighters: Ages 8 to 17 years old
  • Adult Fighters: Male and Female ages 18 to 45.
  • *Possible Masters Division to be added:
    • Ages 45-55? To be Approved by the Florida Boxing Commission.
• RULE STYLES
  • There are 3 rule styles to compete in at the North American Classic.
    • Full Contact
    • International
    • MuayThai
• COUNTRIES
  • United States
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Greenland
  • Puerto Rico
  • Virgin Islands
  • Bermuda
• DEADLINES & REGISTRATION
  • The "FIRST" Deadline for Registration is July 10th, 2004.
  • For other Deadlines & Registration Forms Please Click HERE.
• EQUIPMENT:
  • TKO Sports Group will provide the fight gloves for all fighters.
  • TOP TEN will provide Headgear for those who do not have their own.
  • FIGHTERS: You must provide their own: Handwraps & Tape, Groin or Pelvic Protectors, Chest Protectors (Female only) Fitted Mouthguard and your fight clothing.
  • CORNERMEN: You must provide your own bucket, water bottle, towels, corner cutman equip.
• REGISTERED FIGHTERS PAGE
  • Click HERE.
• HOTEL INFO
  • Click HERE.
• WEIGHT DIVISIONS
  • Click HERE.
• AIRPORT INFO
  • Click HERE.
• VENUE INFO
  • Click HERE.
• TICKET INFO
  • Click HERE.
• VIDEO TAPING
  • Click HERE.
• EVENT & FIGHTER PHOTOGRAPHY
  • Click HERE.
• ITINERARY - SCHEDULE
  • Click HERE.
• CHECK-IN & WEIGH-IN
  • Click HERE.
• FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
  • Click HERE.
• PAST TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS
  • Click HERE.
• FACTS & STATS OF PAST TOURNAMENTS
  • Click HERE.
• TOURNAMENT RULES
  • Click HERE.
• SEEDING & MATCHMAKING
  • Click HERE.
• VENDOR BOOTHS - PROGRAM ADS - BANNERS - SPONSORSHIP
  • Click HERE.

SUNDAY, June 13th, 2004, AT 12:35 AM, PT

Preliminary Write Up For The
IKF
Central East FCR Regional Tournament
FULL RESULTS TO COME THIS WEEK!
By IKF Representative Ray Thompson (Below Right)

The IKF Central East - Mid Atlantic FCR tournament is in the books. IKF Promoters Craig Smith and Tom Poey and there staff were fantastic promoting there first regional together. The event was held at Poey's School of Martial Arts in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This regional set a new record for number of registered fighters for any past IKF regional tournament. The previous record for the most registered fighters in "One Rule Style" in a regional tournament was set in on June 22nd, 2002 (Results & NEW RECORD From IKF North Central FCR Regional Tournament) by IKF North Central Promoter Rob Zbilski when he registered 72 Full Contact Rules Fighters. I am not 100% on these numbers yet (waiting on the confirmed info from Craig and Tom) but I believe this regional registration topped out at 74 fighters. A more complete write up is to come early next week after receiving the info on the event.

The fighters were fantastic! The venue was compact and VERY crowded and the fighters were confined in a very small space which made for some very nervous situations which is why I made the comment on how the fighters were fantastic. Not one negative fighter situation in the whole tournament. It was great. You see this was my first crack at representing the IKF at a regional event and I couldn't have a better regional to get my feet wet at. There were a few glitches, which is common on every show but there wasn't a single glitch that wasn't taken care of immediately. Thanks to this website and its information content we were able to take care of 95% percent of the problems by a few clicks of the mouse and the other 5% were taken care of by the touch of the key pad on my mobile phone. This website and IKF President Steve Fossum were on hand to see that all regionals had the information and support that was needed to make them run as smooth as possible. This rookie IKF Representative would like to thank Steve Fossum and his web staff for being there this weekend even on your day off, if there is such a thing. I would also like to thank personally all the IKF Officials for taking there time this weekend to assure that this regional was run smoothly and efficiently. The referees, Tray Wyatt, Clark Walters and Ronnie Copeland worked hard to see that the fighters were kept safe and the fights ran smooth. The judges, Jim West, Randy Pogue, Kevin Hudson, Shannon Hudson, Ronnie Copeland and several others that I must apologize for not remembering who they are saw to it that the fights were judged fairly and impartially. The time/score keeper and kick counters remained on the job until every last bout was completed. Sorry guys for not remembering your names either but it has been a long day and it is 2:AM (East Coast Time) when I wrote this and I can barely remember my name.

None the less you all were FANTASTIC!! As I wrote earlier there will be a complete write up early next week on the winners of the various divisions and maybe a little color commentating of a few of the bouts that rocked the house in Virginia Beach this weekend. Oh, I'd also like the thank Ms. Stephanie Glasson (July, 04 Playboy Playmate of the Month) for coming by and supporting all the fighters this weekend. Stephanie you really brightened up the place. Stephanie also informed me that she is a true blue kickboxing fan and that she really enjoyed all the great fights this weekend. She is looking forward to the next event. Who knows she might just show up at the 2004 IKF North American Classic in Orlando, Florida this coming August. I know I will see you all there!
Sincerely,
Ray Thompson

For more info please contact Mr. Craig Smith at (757) 491-1733 or by e-mail at Kickingboxing@aol.com

SUNDAY, June 13th, 2004, AT 10:20 AM, PT

Results Of The
IKF
South Central Regional Tournament
Results Reported By IKF Representative Jeff Mullen

IKF Regional Director Jeff Mullen has reported a successful IKF South Central Regional Tournament to us with around 30 fighters registered and nearly all getting in the ring to gain their top seeded position for the 2004 IKF North American Classic as well as gain ring experience. Here are the Regional Tournament results:

• Regional Finals:
  • 179 lb Muay Thai: Will Whitlow defeated Chris Thompson by unanimous decision.
  • 127 lb International Rules: Micah Hughes defeats Randy Hall unanimous decision
  • 70 lb. Junior FCR (9-10 yrs): Thomas Eppley defeats Tanner Shuffield by unanimous decision
  • International Rules Super Heavyweight: Brian Wells wins by forfeit when the two other fighters in his bracket had to pull out suddenly:
    • Donnell Peavy was paged to work.
    • Curtis Bell</