hi pete, i didnt realize that was you. Its good to see another muay thai gym in the midwest. Thanks for the compliment, wasnt my best performance but I had a good stiff opponent in corely. in regards to boxers, we arent boxers. we have miniscule opportunity to compete compared to amatuer boxers. I know guys who have 200 amatuer fights. Wear Headgear with that many fights with youngsters fighting. I believe youth should wear it and also pure novice fighters. Let me ask you this, what was the most fan enjoyable fight of the night ? what fight made people feel like they saw a professional fight ? . I want to see kickboxing grow in fan support. most promoters including myself cannot afford state fees, taxes and bonds to put on pro fights. this is about growing the sport. it takes fans who buy tickets even if they are drunk red neck idiots. They pay the way. They want to see unpadded fighters. BTw, I wore my headgear trick or treating last night and everyone made fun of me. Also, does this mean I will get my ass kicked if I come to the fight camp haha

Dan,

The best fight that night was undoubtedly you and Corley. I just don't agree that it was because of not wearing heaqdgear. You both showed quality and professional technique and put combinations together very well, which alot of amatuers do not do (given that most cards have only a couple fights that involve seasoned, skilled fighters). So, the majority of fighters that crowds see are the ones with only a few fights, which of course do not look as impressive as some with experienced fighters. Does that make sense the way I worded it? Back when Mike Nevitt and Jason Robinson were still amatuers, they fought I think 3 times against each other. I think I still have one of them on tape, anyway, they both wore headgear and were still awesome to watch. It was non-stop action, hardly a breath in between combinations by either fighter, and good clean technique that you would expect out of a veteran amatuer or pro. It was incredible to watch. At that time it was PKC sanctioning the event and I believe the headgear was optional, yet they chose to wear it, simply for safety reasons. The crowds loved it and the house was full every time Rocky Troutman put on a show. this was in Illinois.

When I fought amatuer, some of my fights were KICK santioned and I always wore headgear, I didn't necessarily like it at times, but wore it for safety anyway. One fight in particular was a KICK state title fight and I was winning, then took my headgear off (it was optional with KICK) and that very round I took a spinning backfist that actually ended up being a spinning elbow which knocked me down. I lost the fight because of that point deduction (it was a close fight the whole way thru) I felt that if I still had it on, I could have absorbed some of the impact and stayed standing. The final round I ran out of gas (my fault for lack of training). Point being, I wish I still had the headgear on, and I was lucky the elbow did not cut my head.

If the IKF would change to optional, I would not agree with their decision, but would have to accept it, because it would be a rule. But I know all of my team, junior or adult, as an amatuer would wear it or not fight on my team. That is just the way I feel, my opinion.

Have you ever done a poll of some sort in your area, to see if people really would not attend as much if headgear was mandatory? Seriously, I am curious to see what kinda results would come out of it.

LOL...no this does not mean you will get your ass kicked . BUT, good hard, intense training you will get, that is guaranteed. I have gotten heated at times on some of these threads, as we all have. But, I try to not take too much personal as most is just debating. We all have our opinions, ya know.


RESPECT ALL, FEAR NONE,
ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE!!!!!
Pete Peterson
PSDA and Team Roundkick
Carroll, Iowa

I have had a few, very few fans gripe about amature fighters wearing headgear. Usually for the first fight or so. Once they see the quality of the fighters and the fights I have never had a fan complain at the end of an event.

We always do a little education with especially with mixed pro/am events.

I just don't see it as an issue. If you have to have a high risk blood bath to promote a good fight then you are doing something wrong IMHO.

I don't consider feedback from any fan that is + 5 beers BTW.

__________________
SMITTY
David Smith
Laramie Kickboxing

I think the fighter posting this message considers himself a tough guy. I don't think safety is his main concern.

Amateurs = Headgear
Pros = No headgear

That's my final call. Its called SAFETY OF THE FIGHTERS! If you think you don't need headgear, then either:

1. Go pro
2. Fight for some organization or promotor that doesn't give a crap about safety, and go risk your life if thats what you really want.

Professionals are PAID to fight, thus, in return, they voluntarily accept a higher degree of calculated risk of injury.

Amateurs fight because they love the sport and love to fight. They don't care about making money (though some have pro aspirations). If amateurs think there is or will be an undue, preventable risk of injury, it will turn away fighters and/or prospective fighters