7. Day vs. Bartinelli. What a fight! I was so excited, I couldn’t even think straight, although being assaulted by Day’s mother at the beginning of the fight didn’t help, but that’s another story for another time. I’m a little fuzzy on the details. After watching fights that lasted less than three rounds all night, the timing of a 7 rounder is blurry. Plus, I’m punchy, so please forgive me. I also did not officially judge this bout, as my postings on this board have rendered me biased. Anyhoozles, I believe I gave Day the first 3 rounds. Day was using great angles, and Bartinelli couldn’t get set. The 4th was very close. I gave Bartinelli rounds 5 and 6, and I gave Day the 7th. Day definitely tired in the 4th round, and Bartinelli moved him around the ring at will. He still couldn’t mount a serious offensive, though. I believe Day’s awkward movement, sometimes falling away in fatigue after throwing a kick, prevented Bartinelli from finding him with clean combos. Kudos to Day for digging deep and landing the majority of blows in the final round.

I think the judging was right on. If my memory is correct, which it might not be, the score essentially came down to the 4th round. My scoring would have been 68-65, including the point deduction. If the 4th was a draw, the score is 68-66. If you gave Bartinelli round 4, the score is 67-66. Day needs to work on conditioning. Well…maybe not. His workouts should have provided great conditioning. My guess is that this fight was so high-profile that he gassed out from nerves, and no amount of conditioning prepares you for that. He just has had too much time off between high-profile fights.

I think Bartinelli fought well. Fighting an opponent with an awkward style and a good deal of amateur experience is difficult for a young fighter. He did not seem happy with the decision, but was admirably gracious in defeat. He also spent time signing autographs for the children, which was nice. This fight may be just the ticket for Bartinelli, and he may come back much sharper after this experience. It is my intention to officially bury the hatchet on this topic. There have been some words exchanged between us in the past. I wasn’t happy with what was being said and how it was being said, so I got into some smack-talking. I’d like that to be put in the past. Bartinelli may grow from this experience and be a great champion for the IKF, and there is no need for me to badger him, or promote negativity that may hinder his growth.


8. Thompson vs. Reeves. It was just about what I expected. Reeves was unfit and can’t take a punch. I’m about 90% sure he didn’t take a dive, but it’s possible. The right hand he was hit with was solid and completely unblocked, so it could have been a legitimate knockdown. Nevertheless, he was obviously able to get up. He claims to have been unable to see clearly from his left eye, and was coherently trying to explain that to his corner during the 10 count. My personal opinion is, if you are coherent, you need to stand up. The referee is not going to let you fight with your eyeball hanging out, so you don’t need to worry about that. If you stand up and say you can’t see out of your left eye, the ref will likely have the doc take a look, to make sure it wasn’t a thumb. If the doc says you are ok, suck it up for 60 seconds and decide in your corner between rounds, if you can last that long. If want to call yourself a fighter, then fight. Lose if you must, but go down swinging, not on your knees talking about an injury that isn’t visible or verifiable. And don’t bother trying the old “you don’t know what it’s like…” crap, because I do know exactly what it’s like. We’ll put that in the “story for another time” file.

Great show, great fights. Lots of action. Lots of KO’s, but between evenly matched fighters, with the exception of Thompson/Reeves. I’m looking forward to May. Hopefully I’ll be asked to be involved, in one way or another.

__________________
It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.
I wish people who have trouble communicating would just shut up.

that about says it perfect for Reeves!

whats up randy!! yes i guess you about summed it up about reeves!! i guess we should have listened months ago when people were saying that he isnt a real fighter and that he fought his own students to pad his record but i myself tried to give him the benifit of doubt and it turns out that they were all right!!! but enough about the "loser"!! the rest of the fights were great and my hats off to all of the REAL fighters that walked the walk at "entrapment"!! maybe in may you can fight on Mr.T's card!!! i guess Mr.T is on the phones now trying to find stephen a fight for may!!! im sure it will be another great night of fights!!! i just hope it dont run in to BIKE WEEK at the beach this year or ill have to cut vacation short like in the past 2 years!!! lol but wouldnt miss fights for nothing!!! peace out!!! mouth of the south

RP,
Thanks for the break down of the fights!
I want the video!

How would you approach fighting each fighter? Day and Bartinelli?

What types of running helps you the most for fighting and sparring? Just wondering because, even though I run, when I spar, I gas quicker than I think I should. Maybe because I like throwing 20 kicks a round.
Yeah..brings up something you mentioned, I hate it when people miss kicks.

I will be at the May show for sure!

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pittsurgh

Hey how did the Eagles do? Did they win?


geek

I just don't get it! Why would Reeves, or anyone for that matter, give that kind of performance KNOWING he will get a load of crap for everyone on the message board and future shows (if he has any). I am curious now to see what Cody(Reeves fighter) will post in his defense....Or will they just lay low for a while....Hmm..?

__________________
RESPECT ALL, FEAR NONE,
ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE!!!!!
Pete Peterson
Team RoundKick
Progressive Self Defense Academy
Carroll, Iowa

For my unqualified opinion.... Reeves looked out of shape and slow. I think it would take a tremendous amount of arrogance for any of Reeves supporters to try to justify that lack of desire. I can't imagine what kind of denial Reeves would have to be in to sign back on this board AT ALL. If Reeves had displayed the amount of desire demonstrated by the others fighters posting up on the same card we might have seen that fight go 2 rounds. It also shows lack of respect in my view. Only because Mr.T. had a tremendous card prepared was the entire event NOT damaged. Everyone has thier favorites and my allegance is easy to figure out however as much as I wanted to see Steven do well I expected to see him have to fight. I didn't think the fight would be over after a "batting practice" right hand. In retrospect if that sent him to the mat it may be best that he stayed down because otherwise he may have been around long enough to get hit with some of those heavy left hand shots kadir absorbed or that spinning back kick that hurt Engle so badly, the differance being those fighters got up and kept fighting. Randy it's too bad I didn't get to introduce myself I think I would have enjoyed the meeting. I don't always agree with what you say but I can tell you think before you write and I respect that. I was very impressed with your desire to end the Bartinelli feud. As much as I love trash talking Bartinelli showed up and fought and gave as good as he got on most of the time. My kudos go out to Day.... huge guts and a never say die attitude.
War
Ross

Ross,
Who do you think won the Day fight from where you were sitting?

In response to Jason,
I would have given the fight to Day. he out worked Bartinelli. Bartinelli seemd to have greater skill but could never really deliver much of a flurry as Day was "stick and move" personafied. Day landed several rights that made the sweat fly. To Bartinelli's credit he kept coming forward. Granted I'm relatively inexperianced in the world of Kickboxing Day used the sweep better than any I've seen. Several times just before Bartinelli could sit down on his punches Day would sweep his leg HARD and would throw him off balance. Day then would throw something quickly and be gone again. This seemed to really frustrate Bartinelli and I'm suprised nobody else has made mention of this expert use of an under-used tool. Day faded late but wow what a guttsy performance and Bartinelli didn't seem to have enough left in rounds 5-7 to capitalize. Thanks for asking... I had awsome seats for whatever that's worth.
War
Ross

Ross you are right with your assessment of the fights with your details!! i was too busy yelling and couldnt remember details but remember it was exciting!! and big evan also done a great job in his fight!! he busted the guy up pretty good!!! i think we dont always give evan his just deserve because we are usually focused on stephens fight but evan also is a great up and coming fighter!!! but he needs to stop worrying about the other guys blood all over him!!! LMAO i hear he's a germ-a-phobic!!! lol and ross i met Randy and he is a nice person and good to talk to!! unlike me he knows a lot about kickboxing!! thanks for being kind! and randy maybe you can fight on Mr.T's next card!!!!! peace out!! mouth of the south

Hey Geek.
I'm not sure what to tell you about gassing out early. If someone has the same conditioning level as their peers, but no wind in the ring, my answer is they need to learn to relax. Like I said about Day, no amount of conditioning will save you if are too anxious. Other than that, here's two training ideas.

For running, try doing more interval work. Two minutes hard, one minute easy. You need to run for at least 20 minutes to get good quality aerobic conditioning, but putting interval work in will make a difference. As you progress, cut down your recovery time or increase your work time. The hardest part is making sure that you are really pushing it during your work period. You can try putting in two, 10 second full-out sprints in your 2 minute work period. That will keep you working.

In training, since you like to kick alot, spend a couple rounds on the kick shields, kicking nonstop for the round. Have your pad holder count the kicks so you can push yourself to improve.

As far as fighting Day or Bartinelli, I wouldn't put my theories there on display. I'll say this, movement troubled Bartinelli, and Day's endurance was suspect. On the psoitive tip, like Ross said, Day's use of the sweep was really outstanding. And Bartinelli has one of the smoothest right hands I've seen in a long time. It was a very good fight.

The Eagles will be fun to watch in the next few weeks. Will they wake up to the mistakes they've been getting away with for the last few weeks and adjust, or will they bicker and fall apart like so many Philly teams before them?

In other news, the Vikes have beaten the Colts 5 of the last 6 times they've met. Can they win again after not only losing Moss for the first time in his career, but after being smacked on the nose by the Giants last week?

__________________
It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.
I wish people who have trouble communicating would just shut up.