SUNDAY, November 16th, 2003, AT 1:30 AM, PT

CLASS ACT!
The ONLY Words To Describe Last Nights
2003 IKF Amateur North American
Full Contact Rules Tournament
In Greenville, South Carolina, USA!

As last night came to a close I tried to determine what kind of headline I would use to write this article. Sure there were the many headlines that may have described any of the 2003 IKF North American title bouts. There were even more possible headlines to describe the nights IKF World Title Main event. However, as I walked the floors of the Palmetto Expo Center as the ring crew was putting away the last pieces of the fight ring, I realized something even more powerful... What can be accomplished when great people work together. "Class Acts!"

I cannot say enough about Ray Thompson's (Right) Upstate Karate Team! Words alone cannot describe the teamwork of them all. From the person with the smallest job all the way to the responsibilities of Master Ray Thompson himself, his promotional team of Iron Spirit Promotions put on an event that was nothing short of impressive and indeed "Class Acts!"

I cannot say enough about our on location IKF TV Crew headed up by Tim Bachman and his team from Remote Control Productions. (Tim of course along with Clayton Gibson, Kevin Smith, Peda Samuel, Scott Bachman and Elliot Long Jr.) These guys have been with us since day 1 of the IKF TV Program and are surly here to stay! Not only do these guys do the most professional job in the business but they do so with personality and professionalism which makes them all of course, "Class Acts!"

I cannot say enough about the officials of tonights event that provided every bout with some of the best officiating I have ever seen at an event. Referees Danny Stell and Gary Brown kept the fighters safe while the judges scored the bouts with the best judgement they could provide. Sure, there might have been some questions on some of the scores, but this is why they call them judges, and they all (Lee Branham, Dan Stell, Peyton Russell, Ronnie Copeland, Tony Gouge, Randy Pogue, Mark Selbee and Mike Carlson) scored what they saw to the best of their ability. In the end, we were given 8 new IKF North American Champions and a new IKF World Champion. Their efforts can only be described one way, "Class Acts!"

I cannot say enough about all the fighters involved who traveled to the event at their own expense to "Walk The Walk" and become 2003 IKF North American Champions. I am not speaking of just those who won, but also how those who lost took their loss with poise and pride, that they were part of something great. That for on that night, they battled to be the best in North America. Some walked out of the ring with IKF Title belts, while they all walked out of the ring as "Class Acts!"

And finally, I'd like to remind everyone that all of us involved in the IKF have been blessed with the most trusted, honest and sincere man in the sport of kickboxing. He is my friend, my associate and my co-host with the IKF Kickboxing TV Show. We have shared more good times than we deserve, and I can only hope for more of them. He is also a champion trainer and a man that served and protected our country as a United States Marine. He is all these things but he is more... He is Brooks Mason, and he is "Class Acts!"

OK, you may think I'm overdoing it, but for the nearly 2,000 who were in attendance last night, they know I'm not making any of this up. Even they saw what the sport of kickboxing can be if everyone works together as a team and provides the right stage, the right circumstances, the right moment for those in our sport to shine as the stars they deserve to be and walk proudly as participants in a sport that deserves far more recognition than it has received in the past 5 years. This is a sport that is far more exciting than ANY boxing you will ever see and a ton of others as well. The stars of our sport (Which include all kickboxers and trainers) deserve a stage like Ray Thompson's Team provided them last night and I can only hope that every promoter will take note to make their next event more than a big room with a boxing ring in the middle surrounded by chairs, but a true stage to present these stars to the world in a way that those in attendance, like last night, will never forget for the rest of their lives.

This was KICKBOXING ladies and gentleman! Kickboxing the way the IKF World Team wants it! Plenty of great fighters, great trainers, big hits, great officials, a dynamic stage, TV, Titles and a packed house! This is the way kickboxing deserves to be! If you were not in attendance in Greenville South Carolina last night, you missed something great! I don't think I've been this excited since the IKF National Amateur Tournament! In fact, I'm rambling so much, maybe it's time I just shut-up and get you all to the nights results so you can judge for yourself!

PRELIM BOUTS

MEN'S Cruiserweight Division:
In the first of 2 prelim bouts yesterday morning, Adrian Turpin of Anderson, South Carolina, USA (10-8/1, 187, 6', 35) defeated Telly Strayhorn of Cove City, North Carolina, USA (0-2/0, 186, 5'8", 25) by unanimous decision.

MEN'S Super Heavyweight
In the other morning prelim bout Michael Dean (Right) of Momence, Illinois, USA (1-1/0, 310, 6'2", 33) and Thomas Casey of Greer, South Carolina, USA (0-1-1/0, 245, 6'2", 36) did some hittin on the road before they did their hitting in the ring. When the two were pulling into the venue parking lot they crashed into each other with their cars. Neither was hurt but they were both a little shook up. By fight time, Dean seemed to use his size to his advantage as he defeated Casey by unanimous decision 29-28 on all 3 judges cards.

SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
Michael Dean
Momence, Illinois, USA

MEN'S Super Heavyweight
In the nights opening bout, Michael Dean of Momence, Illinois, USA (2-1/1, 310, 6'2", 33, Rob Zbilski) met up with and defeated Kevin Corron of High Point, North Carolina, USA (1-1-1/1, 250, 6'2", 17, Ronnie Copeland.) by TKO at end of 3rd round.

HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
Charles Baines
Temperanceville, Virginia, USA

MEN'S Heavyweight
In the second bout of the night, Charles Baines of Temperanceville, Virginia, USA (12-1/3, 210, 5'10", 31, Craig Smith) defeated a strong and tough Spencer Tart of Archdale, North Carolina, USA (8-3/4, 203, 5'10", 45, Ron Chewning) by majority decision, 47-47, 48-46, 48-46.

WOMAN'S LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION
Stephanie Kernan
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA

WOMEN'S Lightweight
The first of 2 woman's bouts of the night saw Stephanie Kernan of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA (9-3/1, 131, 5'6", 27, Michael Lind) defeat Bergit Corron of High Point, North Carolina, USA (1-0/0, 132, 5'6", 42, Ronnie Copeland.) at break of round 1 & 2.

LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION
Zack George
Watonga, Oklahoma, USA

MEN'S Lightweight
At the 2003 IKF/TKO USA Nationals, some thought Zack George of Watonga, Oklahoma, USA (6-1/3, 136, 5'6", 19, Scott Mincey) had a questionable win for his title against Robert Elledge. Well, Elledge opted to fight on a local card in California Friday night before this event I'm sure he now wished he was here. His fighter no showed leaving him without a fight. Probably good for him because a very different Zack George showed up last night in South Carolina as George looked like his winning multi time World Champion trainer Scott Mincey as he picked apart Chad Morgan of Providence, North Carolina, USA (0-1/0, 135, 5'7", 18, Ronnie Copeland) in way to winning the 2003 IKF North American title by TKO at 1:29 of round 1, by 3 knockdown rule. Look out Robert, George is a changed fighter... And you two are sure to meet again down the line!

MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
Clint Martin
Augusta, Georgia, USA

MEN'S Middleweight Division:
Clint Martin of Augusta, Georgia, USA (2-2/1, 160, 6'2", 22, Mark Grubel) finished 4th place at this years IKF/TKO USA National Amateur tournament. However, he, like George came to this event as a different fighter as he won the title by defeating Michael Harris of Trinity North Carolina, USA (5-6-1/1, 159, 5'11", 24, Ronnie Copeland) by unanimous decision, 50-45, 49-45, 49-45.

WOMAN'S LIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
Jenna Droluck
Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA

WOMEN'S Light Middleweight
This was one of those bouts you were just glad you were not a judge on. Terrie Hicks of Augusta, Georgia, USA (8-5/4, 159, 5'7", 38, Mike Carlson) was the 2003 IKF/TKO USA National Super Welterweight Champion while her opponent, Jenna Droluck of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA (8-1/1, 159, 6', 25, Randy Pogue) was the 2003 IKF/TKO USA National Middleweight Champion. This bout was a coin toss to many but according to our three judges, the win went to Jenna by split decision, 49-46, 46-49 & 47-49. What a great bout by two great woman's champions. A bout we may see again soon.

CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION
Bill Jadine
Mondovi, Wisconsin, USA

MEN'S Cruiserweight Division
After being deprived last year of the 2002 IKF North American title, Bill Jadine of Mondovi, Wisconsin, USA (11-3/1, 194, 6'3", 25, Michael Lind) had no such plans this year. However we can assure you he forgot just how tough Adrian Turpin of Anderson, South Carolina, USA (10-8/1, 184, 6', 35, Ben Turpin) was. Although the scores don't show it, this was a great bout that saw plenty of action by both but in the end, there had to be a winner and it was Jardine by unanimous decision, 49-47, 50-45, 49-46.

WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION
Marcelo Bezon
Wavonda, Illinois, USA

MEN'S Welterweight
All of the IKF North American Title bouts were scheduled for 5 rounds. However, try telling that to Shannon Hudson of Greer, South Carolina, USA (19-9/8, 150, 5'8", 24, Kevin Hudson) and Marcelo Bezon of Wavonda, Illinois, USA (7-1/0, 150, 5'8", 30, Shihan Gangi). These two ended 5 with a majority draw which forced a 6th round. This still wasn't enough as this round ended in a split decision draw. Finally in the 7th round, or second sudden death round, Bezon took the win and the title. This was the first ever north American tournament overtime victory and the longest bout to date in IKF Amateur history! More on this bout in a special article next week.

FEATURE MAIN EVENT

IKF
Amateur FCR Light Cruiserweight
WORLD TITLE

There will be a special feature article about this bout later this week but for now, lets just say that this bout was EVERYTHING it lived up to be! Plenty of action from two of the worlds best Class Act fighters! In the end, Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson of Simpsonville, South Carolina, USA (33-0/18, 184, 6', 20, Ray Thompson) defeated Kevin "Hitman" Engel (26-4/10, 181, 6'2", 22, Jesse Finney) by unanimous decision to win the IKF Amateur World Title!
Judge Ronnie Copeland of North Carolina scored it 50-42.
Judge Randy Pogue of Pennsylvania scored it 50-42.
Judge Mike Carlson of Georgia scored it 49-45.
Engel took a standing 8 count in round 2 from a multiple punch flurry by Thompson. In round 3 Engel took 2 standing 8 counts and missed his kicks. A spinning side that Thompson landed in Engel's stomach put Engel down for what looked to be the end, but Engel rose to his feet and continued on. In the feature article later this week, we will focus on the true warrior spirit these two fighters fought on with to the end. Wait for the feature article this coming week on how this great bout played out by these two GREAT Champions!