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FRIDAY, June 29th, 2007, AT 12:30 PM, PT
THIS WEEKENDS IKF & ISCF ACTION!
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Shamrock Promotions Presents
"MIDWEST FIGHT FEST"
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
MORE
IKF & ISCF
ACTION THIS WEEKEND
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Ark - La - Tex - Promotions Presents
"Walkin Tall"
Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
POSTED AT
12:50 PM,
PT
First Deadline July 13th
With The Longest Drive in The USA -
California Leads All USA States!
In
the USA, you can't get much further from Orlando Florida than California unless
your coming from Oregon or Washington. or, Hawaii or Alaska of course... As it
stands, California fighters are making a statement as compared to previous years
for the annual IKF World Classic Amateur Championship Tournament.
As many here know, this years event is in Orlando Florida this coming August 10th, 11th and 12th. Last year, petty political spats and an expensive to fly in to location brought the number of fighters down for the tournament. However this year, the event is held in Orlando Florida, the site of the largest attending fighters ever for the tournament (2005) when 270 Registered to fight and 240 actually showed up to "Walk The Walk!" That year the State of California registered 9 fighters. However this year, California has already registered "16" fighters and their closest competition for the "Most Fighters from 1 State' award so far is from Georgia with 5. in 2005, Georgia registered 19.
With the first Deadline
coming in about 2 weeks on July 13th, fighter registration is already
ahead of last year when there were about 20 fighters. As of press time of this
article today we have 36 Registered Fighters... (Not counting the Semi
Contact 
Fighters) which is way
ahead of the schedule from the last 3 years. The largest number of registered
fighters from the past 3 years at the 2 weeks prior to first deadline mark was
in 2005
when we had 24 fighters registered at the 2 week mark.
As in any of the tournaments we have spoken to trainer and
fighters from all over North America and in Europe about their plans to bring
fighters. However, as in anything, the only thing that counts is taking the step
of Action and actually showing up to "Walk The Walk."
It's unknown how the other tournaments that have already taken place will effect
this years Classic. Will fighters be content with winning a tournament title
against fighters only from their region? Or will they "Walk The Walk"
at the Classic against those willing to take the Action to actually "Walk
The Walk" against the Best
Amateur Kickboxers in the World?
We will all know soon but regardless of who chooses to "Walk
The Walk" at this years Classic in Orlando Florida this year, what we
do know is that the IKF Staff and the 36
fighters registered right now will show up in Orlando to "Walk The Walk"
with the Best in the world and win the original Amateur Golden Glove of
Kickboxing World Tournament Title and become an IKF World Classic Champion! We hope many more of
you join the Fight Party with us.
We look forward
to seeing "The BEST" Amateur Kickboxers in Orlando!
2007 IKF WORLD CLASSIC BELTS?
We have already had several ask what color the World Classic Belts will be this year. Well, we can't tell you yet, but we can tell you the color has already been selected and like every year so far, this color has never been used in any of the IKF Tournaments but has been a HOT Color of request for the last several years.
We also want to add that the side plates will be very different this year as well. like the center plate, these will be gold/brass metal. We plan to post a photo of the 2007 World Classic Belt in a few weeks so keep a watch for it here on the News page!
THURSDAY, June 28th, 2007, AT 1:45 PM, PT
They Had Their Shots
Are Their Replacements Stronger Opponents?
IKF North American Muay Thai Champion Manson
Gibson (Right, 103-9-2/63)
was scheduled to rematch Heath
Harris (Left) for the IKF Pro
Muay Thai World Title this coming July 7th. However Harris had a management
shake-up with the Promoter (Dennis Warner) and wanted more money than he
had already agreed to take. So, rightfully so, Warner pulled him from
the fight and quickly found a replacement... And what a replacement he found...
Enter Denis Grachev (Right) of Russia. Grachev may be unknown to those in North America but he is well known in Europe. He recently moved to Southern California and now fights out of City Boxing in San Diego. Grachev is one of the strongest Russian kickboxers in the World. Come July 7th he will get a shot to prove to the world that he is the best in the World as he takes on Kickboxing Legend Manson Gibson.
Grachev has been Champion of Russia four times. On the international level he has quite a bio as well.
2004 World Championship (Switzerland)Grachev also just made his Pro boxing debut this past weekend at the Guts and Glory event in San Diego, California on June 24th. It was the pro debut for both him and his opponent Rosendo Rubalcaba of Tijuana, Mexico. in that bout Grachev completely annihilated Rubalcaba and stopped him at 2:06 of the second round. After a feel-out first round, Grachev showed his amateur and ring experience by dropping the 32-year-old Rubalcaba with a left/right hook combination topped with a straight right that sent him tumbling to the canvas. Ruvalcaba beat the count by official Jose Cobian but was dropped again seconds later by a left hook and again a right hand. The final knockdown came after another devastating right hand that sent Rubalcaba to the canvas and kept him there for the better part of about five minutes.
So to answer our question in the Headline, "Are Their
Replacements Stronger Opponents?" The answer here for Gibson is
without a doubt, "YES!" Heath Harris would
have been a much easier opponent who has struggled as a Pro fighter. His bout
with Gibson was approved more on the basis of a "Challenge
Grudgematch" where as the bout with Grachev will clearly see
two TOP Contenders shooting for the TOP Spot of World Champion!
What Other
IKF Title Changes Are There?
On the other hand,
our other fight change will be the upcoming World title defense of Anthony
Bartinelli. Bartinelli (Right) had promised his first fight back (After
doing Pro Boxing) as a kickboxer would be a promised rematch for his
IKF
World Title against Zack Day. Day (Left) would have had his
promised shot at Bartinelli's title but the date didn't work out. The
first proposed date came without enough preparation notice (2 weeks) for
Day and the rescheduled date of September 3rd falls in the middle of an
already scheduled family vacation. So the question now is, "Who will
replace Day?"
It was questioned to us here at the IKF why we had "Past Up" current IKF Light middleweight FCR Champion Aaron Lassi (11-1/4, AM KB: 23-5-1/1, PRO BX: 3-0/0). To begin with, Lassi won his title on April 30th, 2005. Before this fight even took place, other issues were discussed that surrounded the Bartinelli vs Day bout. The fight between Zack and Anthony took place on November 6th, 2004, 6 months earlier. In their fight, Zack Day defeated Anthony Bartinelli by majority decision. 66-66, 68-64 and 67-65.
In the bout, Bartinelli was deducted a point in round 6 for hitting Day in the back of the head after being warned twice by referee Dan Stell. An officials review of the judges scoring on this bout was requested which took place. The three unofficial IKF Scorecards at ringside scored it 67-66 Bartanalli, 67-66 Bartanalli, and 67-67 even. After subtracting the point deduction for hitting to the back of the head, the unofficial scorecards read 66-66 even, 66-66 even, and 67-66 Day.
In the review, the
same thing was found, but no change of decision was made. Instead, both agreed
on a rematch, and because of how close the bout was, Bartinelli asked if
he could defend his title against Day if Day found a promoter to
promote it or on Bartinelli's next kickboxing fight. Well, Day
couldn't find a promoter and Bartinelli started getting better paydays
in pro boxing, so the fight never happened, but the promised word was kept.
However the various circumstances took day out of the hopeful shot.
Enter IKF Light middleweight FCR Champion Aaron Lassi. Could he be the new challenger for Bartanalli? Well, it's possible, except for one issue. Lassi is now living in Costa Rica but has trained off and on in Hawaii. Still, Lassi has made it clear to the IKF that he will be back in Hawaii for fight time, saving the promoter a costly plane ticket from Costa Rica. Since this is a Title "DEFENSE," it's not mandatory for Bartanalli to defend the title against the top contender Lassi but we doubt he will pass on Lassi's desire to fight him.
If for some reason things don't work out with Lassi, the promoter may need to look at the other Light Middleweights. The IKF rankings shows the next 4 top opponents are IKF European Champion Vinny Di Ruscio of Ireland, former IKF North American Champion Eric Regan of California, Muzammal 'Abu Zayd' Nawaz of Canada or even Shannon Hudson of South Carolina.
So to answer our question in the Headline, "Are Their Replacements Stronger Opponents?" the answer here for Bartanalli is NOW unknown. If it's Lassi, we really can't say but what we do know is that it will be a heck of a fight, as long as the "Champion" Bartanalli shows up and not the one we saw in his last kickboxing fight. As for the other 4 above.... MAN! Any of them in the ring with Bartanalli would surly prove to be a GREAT WAR!
MORE
IKF NEWS
Rubie Navarro
Accepts New Post With
IKF/PKB Division
Mrs.
Rubie Navarro The New West Coast
IKF Point
Kickboxing© Division' Representative
Wednesday June 27, 2007: IKF Point Kickboxing© Director and Founder Johnny Davis and IKF President Steve Fossum are proud to announce the appointment of longtime martial artist and ambassador for martial arts Mrs. Rubie Navarro (Right) as the New IKF West Coast Point Kickboxing Representative. "Rubie is an excellent candidate for this position. She is very passionate and knowledgeable about the martial arts!" says Davis.
She and her father Mr. Carlos Navarro (Left)
are legends in the State of California and abroad for their undying commitment
to growing the martial arts especially the sport of Kickboxing.
As owners of the Navarro's Muay
Thai Kickboxing located in San Francisco for many years, they have developed
tons of talented fighters and produced many successful events. In fact, it was
one of these events when Davis first got a glance at kickboxing in a
tournament setting and from there he developed The IKF
Point Kickboxing© Divisions. Rubie has been there
since day one assisting with the organizing and promotions of IKF Point Kickboxing©.
The timing is perfect for this exciting semi contact competition and giving to
the one most deserving makes it a great relationship. Right- Rubie's
Father Master Carlos Navarro.
As an IKF/PKB Representative, Rubie will be responsible for assisting in the continued growth of IKF Point Kickboxing in the State for the next two years as well as attend and oversee events. Rubie will assure that rules are followed as well as keep a close eye on areas of the event like contact and safety.
"We have watched Rubie run several events and have seen how caring she is with all of the competitors while at the same time letting them know not to step out of line as she emphasizes the importance to always show respect. She's not only a jewel for the sport but is highly respected among her peers and will make a strong impact on the martial arts tournament scene with IKF Point Kickboxing©." Davis added.
Rubie Navarro, began training in Chinese Kenpo Karate in 1969 and began competing in 1971. She has competed in over 1000 National and International tournaments in Kumite and Kata Divisions. She has won hundreds of awards, medals, and trophies. Rubie received her Student Black Belt on December of 1984, and she is currently a 5th Degree Black Belt in Chinese Kenpo Karate. Along with her rank, she has earned the title of "GRAND MASTER." Rubie is under the instruction of her father, Professor Carlos Navarro. She has also studied under Mr. T.L. Unisa of the Japanese - Okinawan style.
Again on behalf of the IKF Point Kickboxing Division, we would to congratulate Master Rubie Navarro for accepting this honor and looking forward to her knowledge and leadership as she continues to grow this ever fast pace sport of IKF Point Kickboxing.
Rubie is very active in teaching. She develops and coordinates Martial Arts Tournaments and is the former personal bodyguard of Dominique Di Prima from KRON-TV-4. She also serves as a personal trainer to many local and national television and recording artists. She has served on a special security task force division of Phoenix Operations and she volunteers to help train many community groups as well as helped train a well known vigilante group, "The Guardian Angels".
Mrs. Navarro can be contacted at Navarro's Martial Arts Academy, 3470 Mission St., San Francisco, CA, 94110, (415) 550-1694. Registration for the next IKF Point Kickboxing Event on the West Coast scheduled for late August will be posted soon...look here for pre-registration information.
WEDNESDAY, June 27th, 2007, AT 8:00 PM, PT
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Results From Iron Spirit's
CENTRAL EAST COAST REGIONAL SEEDING
TOURNAMENT
June 9th, 2007 -
Simpsonville, South Carolina, USA
MORE FIGHT NEWS
Last Second Rule Change?
Not Happening Here!
We have fielded several calls here over the last couple of days from fighters asking us if we would pull a last second rule change with the new Ringstar Fight Shoes at this years IKF World Classic Amateur Championship Tournament. After saying "No" to the fourth caller we had to ask them "Why are you worried about us changing the acceptance of the shoes at the tournament?" Our last caller informed us that at a tournament he and his guys were at this past weekend, the tournament organizers announced they could not use the shoes in competition, after they had already confirmed the shoes would be allowed. Simply put, this angered them a lot and they wanted to make sure we (The IKF) wasn't going to pull the same thing. Well, again, we assure everyone here, that the IKF would not or will not do such a thing and we are sorry some of you had to face this last second change that simply wasn't fair to those of you who had planned to wear the shoes.
We do find it a little odd, strange or awkward that this announcement was made at this tournament after we here at the IKF had just made our announcement of the approval for the shoes in IKF competition just last week... More so since the sanctioning body of this tournament had already confirmed and approved the shoes for this event and then to go back on their word and change the rule on the day of the event just wasn't fair to the fighters. Especially if there was some "Political" motive behind the decision, which there appears there was... This makes it even more sad for the fighters involved.
To avoid further questions and inquiries by anyone here, here are the conditions of the Ringstar Fight Shoes for the IKF World Classic Tournament:
MORE
FIGHT NEWS
POSTED AT
11:55 AM,
PT
Catch Some
Dragon Action
In 7 Films In 9
Days....
There's plenty of "Dragon
Action" coming up in the next two weeks. former IKF World Champion 
Don "The
Dragon" Wilson will be all over the TV screen for the
next few weeks. However, what the listings don't indicate is how often the Dragon is really on. In the last week alone we
caught 3 or 4 Dragon Movies, but
if you missed any of them, here's a schedule to go by;
For a listing of all the "Dragon Action" movies, click HERE.
See Don "The Dragon" Wilson at this years 9th Annual 2007 IKF World Classic Amateur Championship Tournament in Orlando Florida, August 10th, 11th and 12th.
TUESDAY, June 26th, 2007, AT 2:20 PM, PT
IKF
Amateur World
Champion
Clifford Larson
To Make Pro
Boxing
Debut!
Cliff Castle Casino, Arizona, USA
Top Rank Offer Is Irresistible!
He was the first IKF Native American World Champion (Amateur) and is now hoping to someday become a Native American Boxing Champion. Chances are good for this "Real Warrior!"
On April 29th, 2006, at the Yavapia Apache Nation in Camp Verde, Arizona USA Clifford Larson shocked the world when he defeated Darren Snell of Calgary Alberta, Canada by TKO at 1:01 of round 3. to many it was an improbable win over highly favored Canadian Kickboxing champion. The victory earned Larson an IKF - International Kickboxing Federation Amateur World Title and the respect and admiration of his fellow Native Americans.
They, according to Larson, will share his title. His championship win marks the first IKF World Title won by a Native American participating in the sport of kickboxing. Recently, the 25 year old tribal member announced a two bout contractual agreement with Top Rank Boxing Promotions. Both contests will be held at Cliff Castle Casino.
His debut encounter is scheduled for June 29th at the popular
Camp Verde Arizona Casino/Resort. In retrospect, Larson lost his first
seven kickboxing fights and could
have decided "No Mas," but new manager/trainer Richard
Williams (Left) convinced him to reinvent himself. When Larson
returned to the ring he was a "Warrior," more aggressive and
confident. The wins started coming and the effort was awarded with a
championship.
Clifford will meet Ray Harris in his boxing debut.
As for a return to kickboxing, rumors persist that he is intrigued with a possible offer to fight on the same card as current IKF Pro Light Middleweight World Champion Anthony Bartinelli. The chatter has already begun. No comment doesn't mean: "No Deal." Telefutura will televise the June 29th Stargaze Pavilion held event and further details can be obtained by going online at www.CliffCastle.net
Doors open at 3:30; first fight commences at 4:30 p.m. Members of the media are advised to contact Gail Kruschke at (928) 567-7991. Ticket prices range from $25 for general admission to $50 & $75 fir ringside.
Once Larson's bout is over Richard Williams will shift his focus in creating his Arizona Team for this years IKF World Classic Amateur Championship Tournament this coming August in Orlando, Florida. Like every coach, Williams has big plans for his team this year and hopes to bring home plenty of IKF Gold.
Don Smith Boxing Columnist, (602) 264-6372.
MONDAY, June 25th, 2007, AT 6:30 PM, PT
Looking
For Some Motivation Leading Into The
9th Annual
2007 IKF
World Classic Amateur Championship Tournament?
LOOK NO FURTHER... Just Click Below...
What It Takes To Be
NUMBER
1
MORE
NEWS OF 6-25-07
Like Every Year...
The
"Countdown"
Begins To
The
2007
IKF
World Classic
Amateur Kickboxing
Championship Tournament!
As all of us prepare for the 9th Annual 2007 IKF World Classic Amateur Championship Tournament lets take a look at where we are today as well as a look into the past. Today we are 19 days prior to the first Registration Deadline (July 13th) for this years 2007 IKF World Classic Amateur Championship Tournament. Currently we have 17 Registered Fighters... (Not counting the Semi Contact Fighters) Not to worry though if this number sounds low because we are actually already ahead of schedule with the current 17. The numbers we offer below will assure everyone that this is normal for this Championship Tournament.
We are now entering into our 3 week marathon to the first registration deadline which is July 13th. This is our busiest time of the year here at IKF Headquarters. After the first deadline date passes, we have another "Marathon" of sign-ups. These are usually the fighters who wait to see who's in what division.
Here are some stats to go by...
By final
registration deadline in 2004,
257 fighters had registered, breaking the previous record setting 220 registered
fighters.During our 3 week marathon it's always fun to watch the number
grow. To keep track of the Fighter Registrations as they grow, set the
registration page (Found
HERE) as a "Favorites" on your computer. The
page will be updated at the very least, every 2-3 days, and often, daily.
Sometimes several times a day. To see these numbers and other past Tournament
Stats
Click Here.
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HERE ARE THE LINKS TO THE
REGISTRATION FORMS | ||
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IKF |
CORNERMEN |
IKF |
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The IKF
would like to congratulate all the winners and participants of the recent two
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SATURDAY, June 23rd, 2007, AT 3:30 PM, PT
Former World Champion
Schwartz Tells it How It Is!
Gives his
Advice in The MB Thread...
Future
Of Kickboxing?
More often than not,
a post comes on the Kickboxing Message Board that catches the attention of many
because it simply makes a great deal of sense. One of those post was posted a
few days ago and we wanted to point it out to those who may have missed it or to
those who may not visit the message board. The post was made by retired ISKA
World Champion Brian Schwartz (Right),
and here is what he wrote on a thread entitled,
"Future Of Kickboxing?"
-----------------------------------
Schwartz: I think we have some control over the success of kickboxing. The first ingredient, is of course talent. If there is no talent, then no one wants to come to the fights. We have a pool of talented athletes to choose from to make great fights.
Second, is a promoter. There are promoters out there promoting fights. History has shown us that there is more money for promoters in amateur fights then pro fights because there really isn't that much difference except the length of the fights.
Here is the missing ingredients...
I think that if you guys
want to have pro shows and get paid...and I'm not talking about $1500 for a 10
round fight...I'm talking about making some money that will make it worth your
time. If thats the case, then you guys have to have the ability to put people in
the seats. The promoter can only do so much. You guys need to look at it like
you are partners with the promoters. If the promoter is doing well, then you
guys should do well. There are a lot of ways to do that.
Selling
Tickets
time...whatever.
Use people you know to help you get in with these companies. They may get turned
on to a market that they never thought they would benefit from.
So, I am writing this huge long post and giving all these suggestions and you fighters may be thinking "how am I going to get paid from this." Here's what I did...
First, I would
work out a deal with the promoter to get a percentage of the tickets I would
sell. This is business and you guys both deserve to get paid for time and
effort. I hate when people talk about that promoters put fighters first and
don't make any money. My last fight I had, I sold over 60k worth of tickets just
by myself. That shows the promoter that I'm worth something to him. If people
bought the tickets at the box office, how would he know that those people were
there to see me?
Second, is your fight purse. That doesn't have to be your biggest source of income from the fight if you're smart.
Third, sell sponsors for your self. I sold space on my pants
for 5k a pop. To be honest I would sell space to anyone. I had a clothing
company, a tequila sponsor, 2 real estate companies, produce market, a
restaurant (that would hold a after party for me), and an investment
firm. It was a different way for these businesses to entertain clients and have
some association with a pro athlete. Plus, they would buy tickets also. Now you
can sell sponsorships for whatever you are comfortable with. But it only takes a
little networking and a good performance to have these guys coming back for
more. 
They might even become an
event sponsor (which you should get a piece of as well).
There is money out there in this business. Don't sit there and wait for it to come to you. Percentages of tickets, purse, sponsors and percentages of event sponsors...Go out there and make something for yourself.
-----------------------------------
This has got to be one of the most intelligent posts we have
ever seen on the message Board! It reminds us of two quotes;
"If
not me, Who? If not Now, WHEN?"
And
"Sometimes
if you want something bad enough, you just have to go out and get it!"
Great Post Brian!
Let's hope many here take "ACTION"
on it rather than just read it...
Mr. Schwartz started his training in 1981 at Mackowski's Taekwondo. He received his black belt in 1990, and began teaching at Golden State in 1991. He is currently a 3rd-degree black belt. Throughout his career Brian won a California State Title, US Title, North American Super Middleweight Title and the World Super Middleweight Title. He ended his Kickboxing Career undefeated with an 18-0 record with 10 KOs. He is also a 6-time World Champion in Sport Karate. His good sportsmanship, coupled with his superior fighting skills, helped earn him the California Competitor of the Year title from '92-'94. He was further honored as the National Black Belt League Player of the Year in 1999. In addition to the kickboxing classes he teaches at Golden State, Brian teaches adult kickboxing and children's taekwondo at the Pacific Athletic Club in Redwood Shores, CA. For a highlight video of Brian click Here.
FRIDAY, June 22nd, 2007, AT 8:00 PM, PT
IKF
Approves
RINGSTAR
Fight Shoes For
Competition!
Earlier today the IKF Officials Board approved the Ringstar® Sparring shoe known as The Maxx (Right) for both IKF Point Kickboxing and IKF Full Contact Rules Kickboxing. If you have never tried these shoes, you need to get a pair because it will literally change the way you fight!
"I find the shoes as a great source of comfort and
protection for my feet." Said IKF
Point Kickboxing Director and former two time Professional (FCR) World
Champion 
Johnny
Davis. (Left) "As I sparred with the shoe, I
felt the padding was exceptional because as I made contact, I didn't feel much
shock at all on my foot that delivered the strike. When you get hit with this
shoe its more like being hit with a pad than a shoe and that's a good thing."
Those who have tested the
shoes here at the IKF have come to the
same conclusions such as, If two fighters doing IKF
Point Kickboxing or IKF Full Contact (American
Kickboxing) style fighting wanted to wear the shoes it would be interesting
and perhaps may add some excitement and intrigue to some of the fights as well
as an added safety factor for both competitors.
It is true that the shoe protects the foot better than the currently accepted kick footpads. However, although the impact was safe and padded, the impact of the kick is harder with the shoe on than the foot pads due to the confidence in the use of the shoe as compared to the non stability of the foot pad.
"The protection of the shoe in sparring to the person
wearing them is far better than the old style pads." Said former
Kickboxing 
Champion, co-founder of
the IKF and now head of Officials for the
IKF, Dan Stell. (Right) "I no
longer worried about jamming my toes, the pad coming off, and the padded instep
was a major addition as well. I would without a doubt highly suggest them for
serious fighters."
The first Kickboxing Fighter to use them in actual competition
was former IKF World Champion
Don "The Dragon" Wilson (Right)
"I loved them!" Said Wilson. "I used the very
first pair, (-which has been greatly improved upon since then-) in a real
kickboxing fight in Atlantic City at the Tropicana. The shoe gave me better
footing and the safety on that first shoe was easily comparable to a regular
foot pad."
The shoes have greatly improved since then, but back then, the shoes worked great in that bout which was Wilson's last kickboxing bout (So far...) as Don won by KO in the 10th round over Eddie Butcher.
Some other well known IKF
Champions that have been using the shoes are Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson
and Peyton Russell. "We have been
working out in them and sparring with them a lot and tall my students love them,
both full contact kickboxers as well as regular martial artists." Said
their coach Ray Thompson.
(Right). "These shoes are a major addition for safety in the
sport, not to mention the added hygiene issues fighters had to deal with walking
around 
in bare feet while
working out."
This was a point Wilson made as well. "How many fighters pick up germs from the floors of gyms, athletes foot or whatever. Wearing these shoes while working out takes away the worry of this." Said Wilson.
"This is a great shoe that will without a doubt
promote safety to the Full Contact Kickboxing arena." Said IKF Chief Medical Advisor 
Dr.
Allen Fields. (Left) "We have been watching
Steve (Shepard's) progress with the shoe and I must say, the outcome of what he
has produced is outstanding!"
Like in any new product, IKF will closely monitor the use of the shoes in regards to the decline of foot injuries as well as impact and contact feedback of this full contact Kickboxers that use the shoe. I think the fact that the shoes form to the foot better than the old foot pads, they offer a lot more affective kicking potential.
This is the second alignment deal that the IKF has made with Ringstar
Products®. Previously the IKF announced they, along with their sister
organization for MMA, the ISCF. had come
to a sponsorship agreement with Ringstar Products® to be the official sponsor for Officials
Shoes for all 
IKF & ISCF
Certified Referees for ALL IKF & ISCF Events with their Flexx Pro Trainer Martial
Arts Training Shoe. The sparring or "Competition" shoe is
a different shoe itself.
"Making ailments such as this one for us here at the
IKF are a 'Win-Win'" Said IKF President 
Steve
Fossum. (Left) I don't just mean for both companies,
which it is of course, but what I mean is when you find a good product like the
Ringstar Shoes and you are dealing with a Martial Arts and Kickboxing Icon who
is as successful yet as humble as Steve Shepard, this is what we look at
as a big 'Win-Win' for the IKF
organization."
The founder and President and CEO of Ringstar Products® is Former Professional Kickboxer Steve Shepherd. "Making our relationship with the IKF has been one of the best moves for our connection with the sport of Kickboxing." says Sheppard. "All of us here at Ringstar are excited about the future of this relationship as well as the future of the sport. Together, Ringstar and the IKF have some great things planned."
As we have already pointed out to you readers here a few weeks
back, Steve is a legend in the world of kickboxing. He is a 5 time, 4
weight division Professional Kickboxing World Champion who ended his career with
a record of 49 wins, 4 losses and 2 no contest. He defeated International
Champions from Canada, Japan, Australia, Europe, and Asia, and defeated World
Champions in 7 separate weight divisions and was voted
pound for pound the
greatest fighter in the world in 1980, 1981, 1982 by Official Karate Magazine.
He along with fighters like Jean-Yves Theriault, Brad Hefton, Jerry Trimble
and others were the first stars of kickboxing when it became a new regulated
sport and helped revolutionized the sport, taking it from small market special
interest, to international recognition. To read more about Steve, click
Here.
VARIATIONS:
SAFETY:
CLEANNESS
- HYGIENE
We here at the IKF who have tested the shoes feel that the shoes will be an asset to the sport of kickboxing but it may take some old school fighters a moment to get use to this form fitting 'boot'. These shoes will add to the full contact and point style fights which is why we have accepted them as a fighting foot pad for those fights that both fighters agree to wear the shoes.
For more info on the
Maxx Competition Shoe or on all the
Products produced by Ringstar Products®
go to
www.ringstaradvantage.com
Ringstar Products®
and the IKF will soon be announcing other
agreements that associate with fighters as well as the upcoming
2007 IKF
World Classic Amateur Championship Tournament this coming August
in Orlando Florida, USA.
MONDAY, June 18th, 2007, AT 6:45 PM, PT
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RESULTS FROM
"IKF Championship Kickboxing"
June 9th, 2007 - Albuquerque,
New Mexico, USA
For more info please contact Mr. Tony Rosales at (505) 865-5414 or by e-mail at RosalesKarate@aol.com
MORE
IKF & ISCF NEWS
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RESULTS FROM
"KICKFEST"
June 9th, 2007 - Waterloo,
Iowa, USA
ISCF &
IKF Representative: Terri Storm: 5 Sullivan Brothers Convention
Center, Waterloo, Iowa, USA.
For more info please contact Promoter Mr.
Russ O'Connell at (319) 404-4407.
MORE KICKBOXING NEWS
Don't
Miss
The Upcoming
DRAGON
ACTION!
On Cable TV!
For those interested, several movies with former IKF World Champion Don "The Dragon" Wilson will be airing over the next month or so on several cable channels. Some of these movies include some well known names in kickboxing and martial arts such as Maurice Smith, James Warring, Stan Longinidis, Peter Cunningham, Richard Roundtree, Rob Kaman and Billy Blanks.
As already announced earlier here on the IKF news page, Wilson will be a Special Guest at this years 2007 IKF World Classic Amateur Championship Tournament this coming August 10, 11th & 12th in Orlando, Florida, USA. This will be one of many "Publicity" trips for Don and he will be selling photos and taking pictures with the fighters and fans.
Here's a rundown of the "DragonAction" for you.
stars as Jake, a kickboxing
instructor who goes to Manila to investigate his brother's murder. He stumbles
upon a secret organization called the Red Fist, which is holding a kickboxing
tournament, and meets Kwong (Joe Marie Avellana), a mysterious artist
who knows the secrets of this style of fighting. Jake wants to infiltrate the
contest and find his brother's killer, and Kwong decides to teach him some
techniques that will help him win the contest.
The cast is composed of real-life
martial arts champions who may not know how to emote but sure use their feet
expressively. The movie opens with Jake Raye (light-heavyweight kickboxing
champion Don "The Dragon" Wilson), a fighter with a conscience,
accidentally killing a man in the ring. Disgusted by the senseless violence of
it all, Jake throws his golden belt away and promises never to fight again.
Astonishingly, this vow is rejected almost immediately when Jake is lured to the
Philippines by his old friend and fellow kickboxer Vinny Petrello (heavyweight
kickboxing champ Maurice Smith). Arriving in Manila, Jake is surrounded by
five beefy thugs whom he dispatches quickly with his agile feet. Someone is out
to get him. But who? Could it be the exotic and mysterious Mariella (Rina
Reyes) who is also a talented kickboxer? Could it be the ghoulish German
scientist Dieter (Robert Marius)? Not quite. It is the work of the
sinister Mr. Su (Joe Mari Avellana), who kidnaps Jake and brings him to
his private island. There, in tropical splendor, Jake discovers he and other
world-class kickboxing champions are being prepared to be sacrificed to Mr. Su's
steroid-laden martial arts experts in a gladiatorial fight to the death!
Don Wilson returns to the
screen as a man unjustly accused of a brutal crime. Within the prison he must
fight for survival, freedom and justice.To read previous IKF articles about
Don Wilson click HERE!
FRIDAY, June 15th, 2007, AT 2:20 PM, PT
THIS WEEKENDS IKF ACTION!
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No Xclusions, Inc. Presents
"FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS!"
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
MORE
IKF ACTION THIS WEEKEND
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Iron Spirit Presents
CENTRAL EAST COAST REGIONAL SEEDING
TOURNAMENT
Simpsonville, South Carolina,
USA
MORE
IKF ACTION THIS WEEKEND
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Rosales Kickboxing & Boxing Presents
"IKF
Championship Kickboxing"
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
THURSDAY, June 14th, 2007, AT 8:10 PM, PT
IKF Has New
Leadership
In
England
After a long absence of representation in England and Europe, today the IKF announced that Neil Holden (Right) will take over the IKF Leadership out of Warrington Cheshire England. Full details of the position will be released soon but basically Holden will take up where former IKF Leadership left off. Holden will be in charge of securing IKF Sanctioned events in England as well as IKF title bouts. In addition, possible plans look for the first IKF European Tournament to take place in the future, much like the IKF World Classic, but for European Countries. Whether this will be a United Kingdom only or European Tournament has yet to be determined.
The first proposed plan for IKF England is the sanctioning of two IKF Amateur World Titles on an already scheduled July 21st event at the Urmston Leisure Centre in Manchester England. The idea is to have two IKF Amateur Modified Muay Thai (K-1) Rules titles on the event. Former A.K.A. Amateur World Welterweight Champion, (67kgs), Lee Green (Below Left) would be one of those contenders. Green is the son of the well respected, ( now retired ), U.K. Muaythai fighter Ronnie Green, a protégé of Master Toddy that faced several top Thai's in his career. Lee has began to follow in his fathers footsteps, making two successful title defences of his A.K.A. Amateur World title, and only recently he competed in Thailand at the World Amateur Muaythai Championships. Also planned to fight for a World IKF title is 4 time AKA World Amateur Middleweight Champion (73kgs), Graham Sayer (Below Right). In the future both of these fighters would like to compete in the professional ranks of the 'K-1 MAX' (70kg division), hence the choice of the fighters management team in looking to sanction the respected IKF title.
Holden is the owner of Warrington Kickboxing Studio. He
was born in historical city of Chester, Cheshire,
England in 1972. He first began his training in 1983 at the age of eleven when
he was introduced to Ju-Jitsu and Japanese Kickboxing. Twelve months later Holden
then progressed onto Thai-Kickboxing, training in Master Sken's system,
known as Sitnarong Muaythai, when he attended a class being taught by Phil
Nurse, ( a former European Champion now based in New York ). In
1992, under Master Sken's tutelage, Neil qualified as an
Instructor. He has been a full time professional martial arts coach for over 15
years now, a period that has seen him gather a tremendous wealth of experience
both as a trainer and a promoter.
Neil has also trained in Japan, at the headquarters of the All Japan Kickboxing Federation in Tokyo, when he took two of his Instructors, Mark Matthews (I.S.K.A. British & Commonwealth / W.P.K.L. Inter-Continental Champion) and Rhys Edwards ( WAKO-Pro. British Champion ), there to train and compete. Having some of his top fighters train and compete in Japan, the home of martial arts, was a great experience and had a tremendous influence on Neil, his system of teaching, and the way of running his School. Following the Japan experience, Neil revised his training system and developed, 'OKAMI-DO' kickboxing, ( Japanese translation WOLF STYLE ). He expanded upon the teaching format he was currently using, which resulted in a new, complete and modern syllabus for his school. Okamido is a very successful Kickboxing system that incorporates only the very best techniques and training methods from Muaythai, Boxing, Taekwondo and Karate.
As the School Director for one of England's leading Martial Arts Centres, Neil currently holds the Senior Instructor Rank of 5th Degree ( over 15 Years Professional Teaching Experience ). He has developed a professional team of Instructors at Warrington Kickboxing Studio that have to date helped him train over 30 Blackbelts, along with several National Champions, two European and two World Champions.
Neil has dedicated his adult life to the martial arts and has been training for over 20 years! Even after such a long time, his enthusiasm is still the same as it was the first day that he ever kicked a bag, and as well as running a full-time studio, Neil still trains alongside his Black Belts & Champions six days a week, following a regimented split-system of Kickboxing, running and weight training.
Adding to this mix has been Holden's work towards the acceptance of Amateur Kickboxing into the Olympics through the AKA. The AKA incorporates a unique Olympic style open scoring system similar to that used for Olympic Boxing.
To date, two combat
sports that involve striking an opponent have been accepted into the Olympics,
under specific safety regulations ( Boxing and Taekwondo ). Rather than
pursue a different method, as many other Amateur Kickboxing bodies are currently
doing, ( for example the non-use of Bodyshields ), the
AKA
understands the IOC's (International Olympic Committee) safety
requirements, agrees with them, and fully embraces them. Amateur Boxing has been
accepted by the IOC as long as it follows specific rules and methods.
This being that Olympic Amateur Boxing bouts are conducted with 'OPEN
SCORING', using electronic scoreboards and for additional safety 'HEAD
GEAR' is always worn.
The 'Open Scoring' helps to reduce the potential of a knockout, ( concussion ). as an early TKO rule is in effect, known as the 'OUTCLASS RULE'. Should an athlete be losing by 20 points ( as shown on the scoreboards during the bout ), then a contest is stopped. The AKA Kickboxing system has adopted these already accepted Olympic requirements and along with the IKF, together the two organizations can expand on the idea.
WEDNESDAY, June 13th, 2007, AT 8:40 PM, PT
Sheppard &
Ringstar
Ask To Set The Record Straight
Earlier today we
got a call from Mr. Steve Shepherd. As we had posted in an announcement
article last week, Mr. Shepherd is the CEO of RINGSTAR, a martial arts merchandise and Shoe
Company. Our conversation today was about what his plans are for the
2007
IKF World Classic Amateur Championship Tournament
this coming August in Orlando Florida, USA. Since the discussion focused around
sponsorship, there was a topic brought up about a so-called sponsorship of
another event and another organization.
Sadly to say that once again, someone has went after people that the IKF has worked with to align with to better our sport and tried to make them a better offer to turn away from the IKF. Despite this happening in the past, this time is not the case. Sure enough, the same two names keep popping up when things like this happen and their desire to distroy the good work of the IKF still continues daily.
The press release was sent out this past Sunday by Mike Anderson and Ronnie Copeland. It was the same press release that brought us to respond (See headline below - Correcting A Statement About Kickboxing In The USA) to a phrase they used in it. In the same press release they had made the announcement that Mr. Shepherd's company, RINGSTAR Equipment Company, would be sponsoring 5 low kick fighters to the Wako World Championships in Europe. In their own press release they also noted that Mr. Shepherd would be the coach of this low kick team. No one here at the IKF had an issue with this so no one here contact Shepherd or Ringstar about it. There was no reason for us to.
Well, that was the story everyone thought to be true then... Until Mr. Shepherd contacted us earlier today, and in the conversation, the request came up for us to correct the story. "I knew nothing about the coaching thing until Mike (Anderson) told me last night that he posted me as his coach on their web site." said Shepherd. "We were negotiating a sponsorship deal and as of yesterday it seems to have fallen through."
Shepherd still stands behind what he said about the IKF last week, "We are excited to be a part of IKF Kickboxing as well as ISCF MMA." says Shepherd. "The IKF is the answer to what has been missing in Kickboxing for years. As the leaders in both Kickboxing and MMA our relationship will help bring our products to the center ring of both sports. Our relationship is long overdue but worth the wait."
For more info on Ringstar Products® go to
www.ringstaradvantage.com
Ringstar Products®
and the IKF will soon be announcing other
agreements that associate with fighters as well as the upcoming.
MONDAY, June 11th, 2007, AT 9:50 PM, PT
WHERE IS HE NOW?
IKF Honors Another Great One!
Curtis "The Explosive Thin Man"
Bush
Curtis "The Explosive
Thin Man" Bush was born May 26, 1962 and is a former 4 time World
Champion Kickboxer in 4 weight divisions. His fighting career lasted from
1979-1999 and during that time he fought 22 times outside of the United States.
As a professional fighter, he had 54 Wins with 40 KO's including 15 first round
knockouts. He was hand-picked by Muhammad Ali in 1984 to box on Ali's
Champion Sports Pro Boxing Team in the Cayman Islands after watching him in a
kickboxing match on ESPN knocking out his opponent with a head kick. Bush
signed a six fight contract with Ali's lawyer, Richard Hirschfeld
to box in the Caribbean with a final bout in London, England for a minor title.
Bush won his boxing fight by 4th round knockout.
Curtis became the IBF - International Boxing Federation, #1 Intercontinental Jr. Middleweight contender after winning the USBA Jr. Middleweight title with a 10th KO over Lynn Jackson in 1994. Bush appeared on ESPN, ESPN 2 more than 10 times and on Eurosport Television 3 times. He is still to this day often seen on ESPN Classics.
He was owner of the Curtis Bush Karate Club for 8 years and was honored with 'Curtis Bush Day' on April 27,1995 in Virginia Beach, Virginia by Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf for his work with the D.A.R.E. program as a motivational speaker.
Bush
is also an actor.
His first film role was playing a deranged poacher in the 1987 Canadian film
Dragon Hunt filmed in Toronto, Canada. Bush was killed by the
star Michael Mcnamara in a brutal fight scene. He played a "Foot"
in the hit films Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Teenage Mutant
Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze in 1989 and 1990. He starred in the
locally produced UPN television series 464 Roadhouse in 1992. The series
was based on the film Roadhouse starring Patrick Swayze.
Curtis played Dillon where as Swayze played Dalton.
He played a terrorist in the film Major Payne starring Damon Wayons
in 1995. He starred in the gory, independent cult film Psycho Kickboxer
released by EI Cinema in 1998. 
On June 30, 1999, after 75 professional fights, Bush (37) retired from competition. In 2000, Curtis and his wife Bette were chosen to do the motion-capture and face scannings for the characters "Cobra" and "Tsuki" in the X-Box video game: Bruce Lee: Quest of the Dragon (Right) released in 2002. Curtis continues to act and played an Army Sargent in the ABC series LOST in 2006. He currently worked as a Behavior Counselor and lives on the Oahu island in Hawaii.
Professional World
Kickboxing Titles
MORE KICKBOXING NEWS
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RESULTS FROM
"Battle
Royal"
June 9th, 2007 - Nampa, Idaho,
USA
IKF & ISCF Representative Dan Stell: North West Ring Warriors present "Battle Royal" at the Bujack Battle Grounds, Nampa, Idaho, USA.
I would like to thank John & Pepper Bujak, Chris Reyna, & Dean Donlon for promoting a great show. Our referees Josh Crow and Matt May. The judges Jake Ortiz, Pat Lee, Cody Aldrich, Louis Neagle, & Frank Watts. The timekeeper Sarah McKay & special thanks for all the help Chuck Palmer. For more info please contact Mr. Dean Donlon at (208) 861-9462 or at dean@gorillataktics.com or Mr. Chris Reyna at (208) 463-9999 or at sidekicksidaho@netzero.net
MORE KICKBOXING NEWS
Registering For The
2007 IKF World Classic!
Word has it that once
again there is some false and misleading information going around about the
2007 IKF
World Classic Amateur Championship Tournament. Hopefully we can
clear some of this information up in this post.
Many other Questions can be answered at our Q & A Page located HERE.
MORE KICKBOXING NEWS
Where Is
Kickboxing Going...
Or is
It...
With all the Kickboxing Sanctioning bodies in the world today, each is trying to find something that makes them stand out from the crowd. If that's not enough, the need to exaggerate seems to be the best form of advertising. However, when those exaggerations come back to nip you in the rear, many start questioning why some continue to keep telling everyone the same thing over and over again. For example each time a sanctioning body keeps telling everyone that they now "Rule" kickboxing and that their "Tournament will be the Largest ever" and all this turns out to be false year after year for 5 years straight, many start asking, "What should we believe?"
For the IKF, there are some who claim they have exaggerated about their worldwide representation and size. With a new IKF Europe deal on the horizon and soon to be announced the exaggeration that some feel out of place is their claim with their phrase, "Largest Kickboxing Sanctioning Body in the World." The question here is, "Is it?" Today, there is no way to know. The IKF is the only organization that posts all their sanctioned events on their website so it's easy for someone to count all the events they sanction each year. However, with those other organizations claiming world domination over the sport of Kickboxing, how can one tally the numbers if they never see them? To add to this, what "Counts" towards being the "Largest?" Do we count all the forms and semi contact karate/kickboxing events organizations like wako, wka and iska do? Should these count? Should we count the number of countries an organization has representatives in? Heck, it's not hard to give an appointment to an individual just to say "We have Representation in 60 countries."
Over the past 3 years the IKF has seen the number of IKF Sanctioned events dwindle. However, this is not because of lack of work by the IKF. Instead there are many other factors to this. For one, the emergence of MMA has totally changed promoting. Many IKF Kickboxing Promoters are now MMA Promoters. In addition over the past 2 years the sport of kickboxing has seen the creation of 19 new sanctioning bodies... "19." Nineteen people who got tired of someone else telling them that a 200 lb fighter could not fight a 165 lb fighter, even if they both agreed to the fight. That a fighter with a losing record could not fight for a title. That a Pro can't fight an Amateur in an Amateur bout and many other ethical issues that revolve around the rules and regulations of actual sanctioning of a sport. All of a sudden, promoters thought there was some kind of glory and prestige in being a sanctioning body.
Is the time now for sanctioning bodies to become Promoters? Maybe so, and why not? The only thing that has been stopping the IKF from Promoting is a saying that has been said over
