January 16th, 2011

AK Promotions Present
"IKF Muay Thai / KICKBOXING"
Doubletree Hotel
Sacramento, California, USA

TUESDAY, December 14th, 2010, AT 12:55 PM/ PST

Big Kickboxing Event Returns to Sacramento
On MLK Weekend...Doubletree Hotel!
Plus, Adds New Fight Venue! Welcomes The Sacramento Heatwave Basketball Team & Inferno Dancers!

AK Promotions posted their first date for their IKF Muay Thai Kickboxing Championship fights with the California Athletic Commission to be on Sunday, January 16th, 2011 at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento, California. The three day Holiday weekend celebrated as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday is an excellent weekend to host such an exciting sporting event for those in the area looking for something to do with the extra time. In the past year, these events have witnessed packed houses in the Grand Ballroom of the Doubletree Hotel and have gotten rave reviews from spectators as a must see event! Some of the best Kickboxers in the State fight on this show and with great action, music, lights, cameras, etc... It's like Las Vegas in Sactown!

Local champions will headline the fight card featuring.. newly crowned IKF Welterweight Muay Thai Champion Daniel "Hitman" Hodges of Rocklin, California will be stepping up to fight for the IKF West Coast Title taking on undefeated contender Anthony Gonzales of Dublin, California.

Additionally, IKF United States Champion Jon "The Hawk" Pryor of Sacramento, Champion will defend his title against tough Josh Kretchmann of Elk Grove, California and Plus, headlining the show will be the conclusion of the IKF United States Super Heavyweight Championship elimination tournament between 265lbs Manny 'Macho Man' Mancha of Elk Grove by way of Fresno, California taking on 250lb John Hurney of Dublin, California.

Both fighters ended their last bouts on October 8th, 2010 in one round with spectacular knockouts! Hurney scored a huge overhand right to KO, 6'8" Xavier Vigney of Vallejo, California and Mancha took out Hugo Dominguez of Patterson, California in only 14 seconds of the first round with a huge kick to the head!

Another deal has been confirmed with AK Promotions and local Strikes Entertainment Center in conjunction with Coaches Sports Bar (Below) of Rocklin, California and Elk Grove, California. AK Promotions will be promoting a series of smaller events at these well equipped facilities complete with state of the art lighting, sound, full bars, restaurants, bowling, arcades, rock climbing and large screens throughout the entire facility.

Coaches Sports Bar's quaint atmosphere will provide a perfect fight night for any sports fan! Coaches Sports Bar is the closest thing to a Las Vegas Casino short of being at an actual casino. The first show at Coaches Sports Bar will be held on Friday, March 11th, 2011 at their Rocklin, California facility located at 5681 Lonetree Blvd. in Rocklin, California.

However, due to the size of the venues, those interested in attending will need to purchase their tickets as soon as they go on sale or risk the high probability of the event selling out because of the large following for Kickboxing and AK Promotions events in the area.

Although these shows will be in smaller venues, they will not be scaled down in quality as they will have some of the best fighters in the sport on the card with great food, drinks and entertainment! As a backup to selling out the venue, there will be an overflow party room where fight fans can... for a cheaper price, see the fights on huge wall to wall projected screens... complete with table, chairs, food and drink service. Additionally, you will have to be 21 or over to the attend these exciting fights as it stands right now.

AK Promotions also announced that the exciting Sacramento Heatwaves Pro Basketball team and their Inferno Dancers (Below) will also be at the January 16th event at the Doubletree. Players will be on hand to meet and greet the fight fans and the dancers will entertain the crowd throughout the evening between the exciting fights.

For the first half of the year, AK Promotions is planning an exciting fight season for fans to enjoy the great sport of IKF Muay Thai Kickboxing. Kickboxing is one of the greatest contact sports on the planet! AKP is determined to show the world why Kickboxing deserves to stand beside other contact sports and is always seeking sponsorship partners.

AK Promotions is also pleased to announce the continued support of Markstein Beverage distributors of Budweiser Beer of Sacramento, California for 2011.

For More Info Go To...

www.AKPromotions.org
or contact Johnny Davis at johnnyd@akpromotions.org or at (916) 205-4762 or at 630-9254.

TUESDAY, January 11th, 2011, AT 6:25 PM/ PST

Can
"Macho Man" & "Big Sexy"
Help Turn The Tide For Kickboxing?
Sunday, January 16th, Doubletree Hotel, Sacramento, CA, USA - Doors: 4:30, Fights 6:PM



AK PRESS PAGE CLICK HERE

Its not often when you get a chance to see big men in battle these days. Now that boxing doesn't have great recognizable heavyweight champions like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Lennox Lewis or Mike Tyson, there is just not a lot going on in the Heavy or Super Heavyweight divisions in fight sports. The big guys always brings the curious sports fan from all walks out to witness them at work. Well, the time has come again for the 'big guys' to do battle again this Sunday, January 16th in Sacramento, CA, USA.

This will be the day, the ever growing popular IKF Muay Thai Kickboxing Championship will present two big men in action...in fact about 500lbs of them in the ring, going to war for the vacant IKF United States Modified Muay Thai Championship...commonly known as K1 rules.

John "Big Sexy" Hurney (only the women closest to him knows what this title really means) of San Jose, CA will bring his total arsenal to try and chop down his opponent. We know that he has a big overhand right, as he landed it on his last 6'8" opponent and KO'ed him in round one, but can he land that same punch again or will he have the opportunity to show us yet more?

His opponent Manny "Macho Man" Mancha of Elk Grove by way of Fresno, CA seems to be the real deal as his trainer Jeff Baca tells it... "Manny has been training like a maniac for this fight and wants it badly!" Based on his 14 second head-kick Knockout of his last opponent that left everyone in the audience in awe of his athleticism for a big guy, he will give Hurney all he wants and then some.

If both men plan to leave it all in the ring, this could be a fight of great proportions and one that will continue to move the great sport of Kickboxing higher on the knotch as being one of the most exciting contact sports in the world!

Even more bang for the buck, the highly talented Jon "The Hawk" Pryor of Sacramento will have the toughest fight of his career as outsiders are seeing it against Josh Kretchmann of Elk Grove, CA. Word has it that Kretchmann is the real deal and will take Pryor to the abyss of his inner soul in challenging him for Pryor's IKF United States Title.

The "Hitman" Daniel Hodges of Rocklin, CA, has his eyes on capturing a world title soon. He has been stepping up each time. However, this time he's taking on one of the toughest opponents in the division on his quest to capture the gold. Already the IKF California Champion, he's now going for the vacant IKF West Coast Title against undefeated Anthony Gonzales of Dublin, CA. Gonazales has deceiving looks that can not be taken lightly. Out of his five fights, he has an impressive 3 knockouts. It goes to show that there is something there that any opponent in front of him needs to be Leary of. Hodges and Gonzales should bring great entertainment to the evening as both men are looking to step up another notch!

At press time, there are 15 exciting bouts scheduled to kick off at 6:PM this Sunday at the beautiful Doubletree Hotel's Grand Ballroom. With 6 consecutive shows promoted by Johnny Davis' AK Promotions in the Sacramento and Fresno, CA area, more and more fans are anticipating these exciting events with growing enthusiasm as champions are being born, crowned and delivered to the delight of fight fans!

Although the entire fight card is loaded with great fights between fighters from across the State...plus, with two excellent semi main event title fights, there is still growing anticipation of the fight between the two 'Big Men'... "Macho Man" and "Big Sexy" that may signal that the tide has turned for the great sport of Kickboxing!

Don't Miss This Great Event!
Regardless of your form of martial arts or just a sports fan, you will not want to miss this BIG night of Las Vegas Style action right in Sac-town! Tickets are selling very fast and, general admission tickets are already very limited...

Get Your Tickets Now...
Reserve Your Seats On Line!
(Note: The online general admission tickets may be remove mid-week once advance sales are tabulated)
So Do it Now!
Tickets are $10 more at the door!
Order Securely Now at

www.AKPromotions.org
or by calling
(916) 205-4762 or 630-9254.

See AK Promotions' Event Promo by clicking HERE!

For some AK Promotions Fight Action, Click HERE!

TUESDAY, January 17th, 2011, AT 10:30 PM/ PST

Results From AK Promotions'
"IKF Muay Thai / KICKBOXING"
January 16th, 2011 - Sacramento, California, USA

• WHO: Johnny Davis' AK Promotions
• WHERE: Doubletree Hotel Sacramento, California, USA
• WHAT: IKF Muay Thai / Kickboxing
• IKF Representative: Steve Fossum
• EVENT OFFICIALS: All Other Officials Appointed By The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC)
• PROMOTER: Mr. Johnny Davis at (916) 205-4762 or by e-mail at johnnyd@akpromotions.org
• PRESS PAGE: CLICK HERE
• ON THE WEB: www.AKPromotions.org

Special Thanks To RINGSIDE.com For The Event Gloves!

1. AMATEUR MUAY THAI 147.1-153
   Marlo Custudio, San Jose, California, USA, 1-0, 153, 5'8", 1-14-89, Rudi Ott, (510) 913-6849, defeated Daniel Hernandez, Oakland, California, USA, 0-1, 150, 5'10", 11-5-72, Rakarma Young, (510) 472-9025, by unanimous decision, 29-28, 30-27 & 30-27.
   
   
   
2. AMATEUR MODIFIED MUAY THAI 215.1-+
   Richardson Davis, Rocklin, California, USA, 1-0, 235, 6'1", 10-16-91, RKB John Noble, (916) 205-4762, defeated Frank Tapia, Fresno, California, USA, 0-10, 214, 5'11, 6-19-77, James Contreas, (559) 346-7371, by unanimous decision, 30-27, 29-28 & 29-28.
   
   
   
3. AMATEUR MUAY THAI 153.1-159
   Robert Gomez, Ceres, California, USA, 1-0, AMMA: 1-0, AB: 1-0, 152, 5'5", 5-21-91, Jesse Vasquez, (209) 484-3006, defeated Kevin Rodas, Concord, California, USA, 0-1, 155, 5'7", 8-27-90, Dan Black, (925) 813-0229, by unanimous decision, 30-25, 30-25 & 29-26.
   
   
   
4. AMATEUR MODIFIED MUAY THAI 220-225
   Xavier Vigney, Pleasant Hill, California, USA, 4-1, 223, 6'7", 4-29-90, Dan Black, (929) 813-0229, defeated Hugo Dominguez, Patterson, California, USA, 3-3, 221, 5'11", 8-1-87, Mitch Heremia, (408) 421-8660, by unanimous decision, 29-28, 29-28 & 30-27.
   
   
   
5. AMATEUR MUAY THAI 142.1-147
   Josh San Diego, Milpitas, California, USA, 3-0, 146, 5'10", 3-8-85, Rudi Ott, (510) 913-6849, defeated Jesus Sosa, Oakland, California, USA, 4-2, 143, 5'6", 3-26-82, Ivan Ramos, (510) 685-0612, by unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27 & 29-28.
   
   
   
6. AMATEUR MUAY THAI 153.1-159
   Steve Clacken Jr., Vallejo, California, USA, 1-0, 158, 5'10", 6-3-88, Trey Howard, (707) 373-4125, defeated Kevin Bee, Costa Mesa, California, USA, 0-3, 155, 6', 9-22-92, Franky Chavez, (949) 903-2511, by Knockout at :18 seconds of round 2.
   
   
   
7. AMATEUR MUAY THAI 159.1-165
   Edwardo Abasolo, Vallejo, California, USA, 2-0, 159, 5'9", 10-25-86, Trey Howard, (707) 373-4125, defeated Fred Estrada, Sacramento, California, USA, 0-1, 162, 5'8", 8-25-82, Cedric Robinson, (916) 424-5425, by unanimous decision, 30-27 on all 3 judges cards.
   
   
   
8. AMATEUR MUAY THAI 179.1-186
   Christian Johnson, Sacramento, California, USA, 1-0, 183, 6'1", 7-6-76, Cedric Robinson, (916) 424-5425, defeated Cliff Smith, Rancho Cordova, California, USA, 1-2, 183, 5'11", 6-14-81, Mike Chue, (916) 549-4430, by unanimous decision, 29-28 on all 3 judges cards.
   
   
   
9. IKF AMATEUR MTR
   WEST COAST WELTERWEIGHT (142.1-147) TITLE
   Daniel Hodges, Rocklin, California, USA, 5-1-1, 146, 5'9", 3-31-87, RKB, John Noble, (916) 205-4762, defeated Anthony Gonzales, Dublin, California, USA, 4-1/3, 147, 5'8", 10-25-89, Kirian Fitzgibbons, (415) 308-0231, by unanimous decision, 49-46, 50-45 & 48-47.
   • In every fight we have seen Hodges (Right, Kicking) in, it seems he gets stronger and stronger as the fight goes on. While others seem to lose endurance and accuracy, he seems to need 2-3 rounds to get going. When he does, It's ON!
     
     
     
10. IKF AMATEUR MTR
    UNITED STATES SUPER WELTERWEIGHT (147.1-153) TITLE *DEFENSE
    IKF Defending Champion *Jon Pryor Sacramento, California, USA, 7-3, 152, 5'7", 11-29-89, Cedric Robinson, (916) 424-5425, successfully defended his IKF title in dramatic fashion when he defeated Josh Kretschmann, Elk Grove, California, USA, 6-2, 150, 5'8", 11-1-80, Jeff Baca, (916) 281-7006, by Knockout at 1:57 of round 1.
    • When Pryor (Right, Kicking) first jumped on the IKF circuit, there were those who doubted his ability as a full contact fighter. Part of this was the fact that he came from a Tae Kwon Do background, know more for Olympic Sport Semi Contact style of fighting than full contact fighting... However, as if it was their mission to do so, humble Jon Pryor and his great trainer Cedric Robinson have walked quietly through the valley of good and evil, calmly proving a point along the way... "OUR Style WORKS!" Faced against long traditional Muay Thai trainers and camps, like Hodges above, few gave Pryor and his TKD background much respect and often under estimated his ability. Pryor has shown all the skeptics though what true TKD can do in the fight ring. With "Explosive" Kicks, Pryor has fine tuned his hand skills to become one of the most exciting fighters on the amateur circuit today. Although he, like many West Coast Amateurs, have not tested his skills at the IKF World Classic Tournament, so far, he has established his place at the top of his peers here on the West Coast as he walks his way to that ever so possible, IKF World Title.
      
      
      
11. AMATEUR MUAY THAI 142.1-147
    Anthony Acosta, San Leandro, California, USA, 5-2, 145, 5'10", 6-27-84, Ivan Ramos, (510) 685-0612, defeated Arturas Barkauskas, San Francisco, California, USA, 5-5, 146.5, 5'10", 5-26-82, Jongsanan, (415) 777-5888, by split decision, 29-28, 29-28 & 28-29.
    
    
    
12. AMATEUR MUAY THAI 186.1-195
    Brandon Horton, Ceres, California, USA, 1-0, AMMA: 2-2, 195, 5'10", 5-15-79, Mike Duran, (209) 537-5780, defeated Ray Pena, Modesto, California, USA, 0-1, 190, 5'8", 5-30-81, Jesse Vazquez, (209) 484-3006, by split decision, 30-27, 29-28 & 28-29.
    
    
    
13. AMATEUR MUAY THAI 127.1-132
    Ron Jacildo, Vallejo, California, USA, 1-0, 129, 5'8", 4-1-88, Trey Howard, (707) 373-4125, defeated Anthony Aruelio, Concord, California, USA, 0-1, 131, 5'6", 6-2-87, Dan Black, (929) 813-0229, by Knockout from a spinning backhand at 1:08 of round 1.
    
    
    
14. IKF AMATEUR MODIFIED MTR
    UNITED STATES SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
    John "Big Sexy" Hurney, (Right Kicking) San Jose, California, USA, 5-0/2, 235, 6'2", 11-17-82, Kirian Fitzgibbons, (415) 308-0231, defeated Manuel "Macho Man" Mancha, (Right - Red Shin Guards) Madera, California, USA, 4-1/3, AMMA: 2-0, 270, 6'2", 11-6-85, Jeff Baca, (916) 281-7006, by Head Kick Knockout at 1:44 of round 3.
    • The definition to some of a Great Fight is a slow and methodical pace of fine tuned jabs and a swift accurate kick or knee here and there as the fighters maintain composure from step to step... Ya, that's great for old folks half asleep as it assures them they won't miss a strike...
      Sadly if there were any of these half asleep people in the audience at the DoubleTree Hotel this past Sunday night, if we go by the previous analogy, "You MISSED A GREAT FIGHT!"
      However, for those of us still wide awake, and sharp enough to see every strike, we all witnessed one of the most EXCITING, ACTION PACKED SLUGFESTS we may have ever seen. This bout was not just two big guys throwing hay-makers at each other hoping to land the lucky shot. We're talkin Spin Kicks to the head kind of ACTION! If you blinked, YOU MISSED A LOT! Sure, we have seen better "Methodical" bouts before at a much slower pace that some fight experts would call a "detailed" exhibition of talent... However, to see a total of 505 lbs. in total weight going at it NON STOP for nearly 3 rounds brought back memories of the "Fast Starting - Fast Paced" style of fighting the great former IKF Heavyweight World Champion - Dennis Alexio showed us all at Heavyweight. Sure, in the end there had to be a winner, but in the end, everyone in the Ballroom that night witnessed TWO WINNERS! When rounds 1 and 2 ended Hurney and Mancha came back to their corners with nothing left, as they energized themselves to "Give it their all" for the next round.
      Congratulations are in order for John "Big Sexy" Hurney, but as a fight fan, Congratulations to BOTH of you for putting an EXPLOSIVE ending to an already GREAT night of Fight Action! All of us here at the IKF are PROUD of you both for giving us all a Great Fight! We look forward to seeing you both in the ring again...
      • At the press conference earlier that day, both Hurney and Mancha offered all of us a little laugh and a little reality. In their previous bouts to make it to this point, neither was able to learn much of the other as Hurney KO'ed his opponent at 59 seconds of the first round and Mancha KO'ed his opponent in 14 seconds. So when Mancha was asked what he may know about his opponent, Mancha took the light hearted approach and answered,
        • "Well, all I know is that he's... Big... and he's Sexy."
      • After the crowd got a good laugh about that, Hurney was asked, "Well John, you know Mancha's a local fighter who will be packing the house with fans screaming for him, can you give us your thoughts on the fight?" In which he answered.
        • "Well, I'm sure he will have a lot of fans there, as will I, but when the bell rings to start the fight, there's only going to be 2 of us in the ring..."
          
          
      • VIDEO OF A PORTION OF THIS BOUT - CLICK HERE.

PHOTOS FROM
AK Promotions'
"IKF Muay Thai / KICKBOXING"

Photos By Chris Kisela
(408) 688-6469 - chriskisela@gmail.com
www.ChrisKiselaPhotography.com

The following article is by Marc McLaughlin of the Sacramento Press.com
We liked it so much we wanted to make sure it will be available here on the IKF Press Pages for years to come. Great work Marc!

Mayhem at Doubletree
Article & Photos Below by Marc McLaughlin

• ADDITIONAL EVENT PRESS
  • CLICK HERE