IKF PAST NEWS
This Page Includes Past IKF News for

DECDEMBER, 2005



HOME - NEWS - EVENTS - RANKINGS - SANCTIONING - JOINING - RULES & REGULATIONS - ISCF


SATURDAY, December 31st, 2005, AT 3:30 PM, PT


HAPPY
NEW YEAR
And May
EVERYONE
"Walk The Walk"
And
"Bring It ON"
In
2006




WEDNESDAY, December 28th, 2005, AT 1:30 PM, PT


DRAGON
TV!

For those of you who haven't seen any movies that 11 time Kickboxing World Champion Don "The Dragon" Wilson (Right) has starred in, now is your chance. Showtime Extreme, Showtime Family Zone, Spike TV and Starz Edge has been showing many of the Dragon Movies over the last several months.

  • On January 3rd, January 17th, January 21st and January 26th Showtime Extreme will be showing The Capitol Conspiracy (aka The Prophet )

  • On January 26th, Spike TV will show Bloodfist VII: Manhunt, the Wilson flick that also has Stephen "The Fight Professor" Quadros (MMA & Kickboxing commentator - For more info click Here and Here.) in it. and on January 27th Spike TV will show Bloodfist VIII: Hard Way Out.

  • On January 2 and the 31st Starz Edge will be showing Cyber-Tracker (With Richard Norton more info click Here)

  • On December 28th and 29th Showtime Family Zone will be showing Hollywood Safari (With John Savage )

  • On December 31st Showtime Extreme will be showing Ring of Fire III: Lion Strike. And finally, on January 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 14, 16, 19, 20, 24 & 28th Showtime Family Zone and Showtime #2 will be showing Magic Kid (aka Ninja Dragon & Tiger Kid)

To see The Dragon's upcoming TV schedule with show times and dates Click HERE!

Wilson's kickboxing record stands at 71-5-2 with 47 knockouts. We say, that it "Stands" because Don has never said he has officially retired. In fact, Don has said that if the money were offered, he would fight anywhere, any time, even at the age of 46. Wilson still holds the record as the highest paid kickboxer in the world, a $150,000 purse on the IKF Sanctioned Mass Destruction (Left) when he won his IKF Professional World Title.

To read more about Don Wilson go to his website at www.DonTheDragonWilson.com



TUESDAY, December 27th, 2005, AT 3:40 PM, PT

Pure Force... The Beginning
Tinley Park, Illinois on January 6, 2006

Pure Force the Beginning is coming to Tinley Park, Illinois on January 6, 2006 at the Holiday Inn Select Tinley Convention Center. The show features 15 sanctioned IKF Kickboxing and ISCF Mixed Martial Arts bouts.

Pure Force will feature fighters from top gyms all over the Midwest including: HCX Mixed Martial Arts/IL, Team Toro/IL, Peoria Athletic Club/IL, Minnesota Martial Arts Academy/MN, Warrior Way/MI, Team Lucky Strike/WI, Olympic Arena/IL, Southside Dojo/MI, Torres Martial Arts/IN, and many more.

Additional live entertainment to include a performance by DJ Aftermath and the Girls of Standing Ground live.

The Pro MMA Main Event bout will be between Billy Stamp (Right) of Peoria Athletic Club in Southern Illinois and Andre Garcia of Warrior Way in Detroit Michigan.

Billy has been a very active fighter with 7 fights this year and has a professional record of 4-4-1. Andre Garcia is out of Warrior Way in Michigan. Andre has made two appearances in King of the Cage (KOTC), of which one was in Australia. He is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt and a Black Belt in Sambo.

Pure Force will be held Friday January 6, 2006 at the Holiday Inn Select Tinley Convention Center, 18501 S Harlem Ave, Tinley Park Illinois 60477. Doors open at 6:PM and the event starts at 7:PM. For more info and ticket information, please contact Brian A. Thompson (Left) at (815) 730-3800 or e-mail at bthompson@productionality.com

Also, fighters looking for matches on Pure Force II "March Mayhem" March 25, 2006 in Joliet, Illinois should contact James Hill (Right) at Jhill@productionality.com For additional info please go to

www.PureForceMMA.com





FRIDAY, December 23rd, 2005, AT 11:20 PM, PT


A Thank You To Central Kickboxing For
Recognizing The Values Of The
IKF Tournament


The yearly IKF Tournament (Nationals, North American and now WORLD) has been a value for fighters of all weight classes, ages and rule styles. It has provided an EVEN playing field for all fighters to compete against the "Best of the Best" no matter who they are, what their record is or where they live. All they had to do was make their journey to the event and "Walk The Walk!"

Those who have attended the IKF Tournament know that it is much more than "Just another Event!" Last years record breaking year saw 240 Amateur Kickboxers from around USA and Canada make it to Orlando Florida, USA to "Walk The Walk" and strive to be a Champion. A combination of ALL the other Kickboxing tournaments in the USA and Canada put together still don't equal the number of fighters at last years IKF Tournament. This is a record the IKF Tournament keeps "Every Year" and is proud of.

Today we would like to show some appreciation for someone who has also noticed something the IKF tournament provides... Opportunity, and a place to SHINE! A special "Thank You" to the crew at the CKO - Central Kickboxing Organization (www.centralkickboxing.org) over in Japan for the recent article they did entitled, IKF Nationals: Pipeline to the K-1 USA. The CKO is not a sanctioning body but it has served (In our opinion) as one of, if not the best DETAILED information sources for the many K-1 events around the world. Although the article is only focused on the Heavyweight Men, it's a very good article. Now we need to bring even more exposure for all the other ages, weights and rule style fighters so they can all receive the recognition they truly deserve.

If you haven't read the article you can go to it by Clicking Here.


PS: And a

MERRY CHRISTMAS
To You ALL!



TUESDAY, December 20th, 2005, AT 10:40 PM, PT


It's Official...

And The Winner Is...

US Cellular Center & Crowne Plaza Hotel
In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

It had come down to 5 locations of the over 160 Bid Proposals we received from around North America. Two locations in Iowa, one from Indianapolis, Indiana. One from Nashville, Tennessee. One from Naperville, Illinois and One from Joplin Missouri.

In the end, it was the combined efforts of the US Cellular Center (Right, The same Event Arena used for the 2003 IKF/TKO Nationals), the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel (Left) and the Cedar Rapids Convention Visitors Bureau in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA.

The US Cellular Center is a beautiful 28,000 square foot "Stadium Seating Arena" which has held the title of the FINEST Venue we have ever had over all the years of the tournament. There is a total of 16,200 square feet on the actual arena floor, and add in the Stadium Seating area and there is plenty of seating for spectators. It is one of the most impressive entertainment venues in the Midwest. It also has 4 locker rooms for the participants and plenty of warm-up area surrounding the outside of the arena bowl. As far as sporting events, in the past it has hosted the UFC, Taekwondo Nationals and many Wrestling Championships and even WWF wrestling (Now WWE), not to mention many stars like the Harlem Globetrotters as well as concerts including KISS, Prince, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Amy Grant, Diana Ross, Pantera, Motley Crue, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Styx, AC/DC, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Diamond Rio, Martina McBride, Gaither Homecoming, Barry Manilow, Chicago, Bon Jovi, Blue Collar Comedy, Chicago, Beach Boys and Bob Dylan.

The 275 room Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel is also Fantastic! The 16-story hotel is situated in the heart of downtown Cedar Rapids is conveniently located just 10 minutes (eight miles) from Cedar Rapids Airport (Eastern Iowa Airport). The Hotel will provide Free Shuttle service for all tournament Attendees (Fighters, trainers, officials and of course, fight families and fans!)

It is connected by hallway to the US Cellular Center and connected by 12-block skywalk system to numerous shopping and dining options and 2 theatres, the Theatre Cedar Rapids and the IMAX Theatre. All 275 rooms in the 16-story hotel feature cable TV and in-room movies, coffee maker, hair dryer, ironing board/iron and there are of course, non-smoking rooms available. There is also a business center, fitness center, indoor pool, and sauna. Top of the Five rooftop restaurant and Front Street Lounge, serving lighter fare, are both open 7 days a week. The room rate for a weekend at the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel is usually $140.00 per night, however our special IKF Kickboxing rate will only be $99.00 per night.

The Hotel layout will be able to provide the IKF Headquarters Suite for all event organizations duties and a Hospitality Suite for after event gatherings. The "Hospitality Suite Host" will be named soon. The hotel layout also allows the IKF to block off a private floor for all the Officials to book their rooms on.

The US Cellular Center is simply down an elevator and a hallway from everyone's hotel room.

"Ultimately the final factors came down to dates, facility and our past working relationship with Mary Lee Malmberg, the Director of Sports Tourism at the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau." Said IKF President Steve Fossum. "The Cedar Rapids bid offered as much or more than all the other bids and with an availability date of July 28-30th, it was a major factor in the final decision."

The July date was a major factor because in the past two years, many attending clubs asked for the event to be moved earlier in the summer so more Juniors could attend.

For more info about the 2006 IKF North American Classic, Amateur Kickboxing Championship Tournament, Click HERE! Please note that some pages have yet to be updated from 2005.








THE WORLD IS WELCOME!
Many don't realize this but when you see a WORLD Amateur Championships in Europe, 98% of the attending countries have ALL their travel and entree fees paid by their government. Few of you reading this know that many of the participants make very little and could never afford to make such travel on their own. Often the plane ticket alone is as much as some make in a years wages. Since the USA does not have such a perk, (Where the USA Government funds amateur Kickboxing) it would be hard to have a LEGIT Amateur World Championship Tournament here in the USA.

However, we have had "MANY" request from around the world from "AMATEUR" teams to participate. At last years NAC in Orlando, Florida, Mr. Fossum asked if those attending would like to see a WORLD tournament where Amateurs from around the world can attend. Nearly everyone yelled a positive "YES!"

So, this years 2006 IKF North American Classic will still be called a "North American Classic Tournament"... At least for now. However, ANY AMATEUR Fighters who wishes to attend the event from ANYWHERE around the World will be welcome to come "Walk The Walk" with the rest of us!

Yes, we will be very strict on making sure these fighters have NEVER fought as a Professional fighter. There may even be some fighters who will be disqualified once at the finals if we discover they fought as a professional fighter once there and they have lied on their applications. Still, the offer has been made. Further discussions with our tournament staff will determine whether we re-name the Tournament the IKF WORLD CLASSIC or not, so watch here for more info on the actual name issue...

With that being said, we challenge every True "AMATEUR" Kickboxer from around the World to get prepared for the Greatest Amateur Kickboxing Championship Tournament YET!

Fighters... It's time for us all to stop "Talking The Talk!" If you think you are the BEST Amateur Kickboxer in the World, It's time for you to come join us, and prove so to the WORLD as we all "WALK The WALK" at this coming years 2006 IKF North American (World) Classic Amateur Kickboxing Championship Tournament! We look forward to seeing you all there...



FRIDAY, December 16th, 2005, AT 11:20 AM, PT

MIDWEST
FIGHT FEST
Kansas City, Missouri, USA


IKF/ISCF Missouri, USA
Tonight, December 16th, IKF & ISCF Promoters Jesse Finney, his Shamrock Promotion Team and Benjamin Nogueras Jr. and his The Blue Corner Promotions Team will once again team up to host "MIDWEST FIGHT FEST". The event will take place at the Clarion Hotel located next to Arrowhead Stadium at 9103 E. 39th Street, Kansas City, Missouri. The event will feature IKF Amateur Kickboxing, ISCF Amateur Mixed Martial Arts and Amateur Boxing.

For more info on this event please call Mr. Jesse Finney at (314) 608-3104 or by e-mail at jesse@finneyskickboxing.com or see their website at www.ShamrockPromotionsLLC.com or contact Mr. Patrick Harrington of the Blue Corner Group at pharrington@thebluecorner.com or Mr. Benjamin Nogueras at bnogueras@thebluecorner.com or go to www.TheBlueCorner.com



WEDNESDAY, December 14th, 2005, AT 7:00 PM, PT


The Waiting is Almost Over!

For those wondering, it appears we will soon be making the announce of the winning location for the 2006 IKF North American Classic Tournament by the end of this week. We have narrowed down the selections from over 160 bid proposals to a final 10. By tomorrow, this list will cut to a final 5. If there are still a few unanswered questions about the final 5 bid locations, at the latest we may wait until Tuesday, December 20th. Regardless, we will have our location finalized within a week.

As many requested, we have tried to push the event date earlier. The date we are looking to confirm is August 11th, 12th and 13th. We hope this is a good date for those Juniors who may be starting school in August. Keep a watch here for the winning location for the 2006 IKF North American Classic Tournament!



It will be announced SOON!





FRIDAY, December 9th, 2005, AT 9:30 PM, PT


44-0!
Thompson Stays Perfect In World Tournament!
Six American Fighters Travel To Szeged, Hungary For World Tournament

There are few people who don't know who Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson of Simpsonville South Carolina is here in North America. Before last week, few knew him in Europe. However after last weekend, many will never forget him.

Thompson and 5 other USA fighters traveled to Szeged, Hungary to compete in an open tournament (amateurs and pros fighting each other) hosted by the European organization WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations or formerly, World All-Style Karate Organization), December 1st through the 5th. Thompson defeated opponents from Italy, Great Britain and Latvia before knocking off a Russian in the gold medal finals of the light cruiserweight class for 179.1-186 pounds.

Thompson became the first American kickboxer since the 70's to take home a gold medal from the event. His overall combined (Amateur & Professional) record is now 44-0 with 25 wins coming by KO or TKO.

Unlike most of the other countries attending the event, Team USA did not have to go through any elimination or qualification process to attend the tournament. This is mainly because WAKO does not sanction any "Kickboxing" events in North America. They do sanction a few karate and semi contact events in the North East. Because of this, there were no WAKO qualifying events for fighters to fight on.

Instead, Team USA was selected by Mike Anderson (Right) of Florida who was the founder of WAKO years ago. Although Anderson does not head WAKO now, he is still a part of the event. Anderson asked Thompson's father, Ray to be the coach for the U.S. team which also had Rob Zbilski of Chicago, Illinois and Ronnie Copeland of North Carolina along. Copeland had planned to fight but an injury took him out of the Tournament so he attended the event as a cornerman with Ray and Rob.

Zbilski of course was there for his Champion Tommy Bach (Left). However, to give you an idea of how tough the competition was, Bach, who is the "Current" IKF Pro World Champion, won his first bout but lost his second. This was the case of several World Champions from other organizations as well.

Other members of the USA Team did not do as well as Thompson either. Peyton Russell, (Right - 2002 IKF North American Amateur Champion, - 2002 IKF USA National Amateur Champion, and 2021 IKF USA National Amateur Champion,) who is now a pro fighter here in the USA lost in the first round.

Terri Hicks (2003 IKF USA National Amateur Champion and 2004 IKF/TKO North American Amateur Champion,) also lost in the first round as did Stevie Dement. At this years IKF NAC Tournament, Hicks lost to Jamie O'Hare of St. Louis, Missouri, USA by split decision 29-28, 29-28 & 27-30.

The one other shining star for Team USA was Multi time IKF Woman's Champion Jenna Droluk (Left) of Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Droluk put her name in the WAKO history books as she won her first two bouts but lost a tough bout in the final. The second place finish gave her the Silver Medal, making her the first American woman to ever Medal at the European Tournament.

At the 2004 IKF/TKO Amateur North American Classic, Droluk defeated Jennifer Thyssen of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA by unanimous decision 29-27, 30-26 & 30-26. At the 2003 IKF North American Championships she defeated Terrie Hicks of Augusta, Georgia, USA by split decision, 49-46, 46-49 & 47-49. At the 2003 IKF/TKO USA Amateur Nationals she defeated Bobbie Brown of Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA by TKO at 1:56 of round 2.

After 3 IKF Tournament Titles, Droluk was finally dethroned this year with a surprise defeat by Jennifer Fowler of Sunnyvale, California, USA. After 3, the scores were 30-27 Droluk, 29-28 Fowler and 29-29 for a split decision draw. Fowler went on to win the round 4 tie breaking round by unanimous decision to take the title.

The WAKO World Championships are held every two years. Only national teams are represented, and each country may allow only one competitor for each weight class. The event featured over 1,200 competitors. Around 220 were actually full contact kickboxers, the others were semi contact and point fighters. The WAKO sanctioning organization was paid over $100,000 as a sponsorship/sanction fee by Hungry to oversee the event while the Hungarian Kickboxing Federation paid for the event expenses... Imagine what the IKF Tournament would be like if we were given that kind of $$ to put on our event...











PAST IKF NEWS CLICK HERE!

HOME - NEWS - EVENTS - RANKINGS - SANCTIONING - JOINING - RULES & REGULATIONS - MERCHANDISE - ISCF - MMA