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JANUARY, 2011


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WEDNESDAY, January 26th, 2011, AT 3:00 PM/ PST

THIS WEEKENDS IKF ACTION...

Premier Martial Arts Presents
SPAR WARS
Edmond, Oklahoma, USA

• WHEN: Saturday, January 29th, 2011
• WHO: Jason Epps
• WHERE: Premier Martial Arts, 14400 N. Lincoln Blvd, Edmond, Oklahoma, USA
• WHAT: IKF Point Kickboxing Tournament
• IKF Officials: Johnny Davis
• PROMOTER: Call Jason Epps at (405) 749-5949 or at premierokc@gmail.com
• ON THE WEB: EdmondATA.publishpath.com/spar-wars
  
  

• TOURNAMENT INFO
  • Tournament Begins: 10:00 AM
  • Rules Review: 9:30 AM
  • Weigh in: Saturday 8:30am - 9:30 AM
  • Early Weigh In: Friday 5:30pm-6:30 PM
  • Competitor Registration: $30 before January 15th.
  • Late Registration $40.00
  • Spectator Fee: $4.00, Children five and under only $3.00

MORE IKF ACTION THIS WEEKEND...

Billy Sullivan Presents
"IKF Junior Kickboxing Show"
Waterford, Ireland

• WHEN: Sunday, January 30th, 2011
• WHO: Billy Sullivan
• WHERE: Waterford Kickboxing Association Gym, Waterford, Ireland
• WHAT: IKF Junior Kickboxing
• IKF Representative: Mr. Pete Foley
• IKF Promoter: Mr. Billy Sullivan, 00353 86 1696035

TUESDAY, January 25th, 2011, AT 11:55 PM/ PST

Results From Bobby Seronio's
2nd Annual Apple Open Martial Arts Tournament
January 22nd, 2011 - Vallejo, California, USA

• WHO: Bobby Seronio
• WHERE: Jesse Bethel High School, Vallejo, California, USA
• WHAT: IKF/PKB Point Muay Thai / Kickboxing
• IKF/PKB Officials: Rich Davis, John Noble,Trey Howard
• IKF/PKB Referee: Johnny Davis
• PROMOTER: Mr. Bobby Seronio (707) 980-2524
• ON THE WEB: www.AppleOpen.seroniomartialarts.com

Kickboxers from Fairfield, CA are regular competitors and fans of IKF Point Muay Thai Kickboxing.
Nemo Vier of Fairfield (Center- Orange) is gaining massive experience and looking forward to his first bout in Full Contact action soon.

• Boys 9-10- Muay Thai Kickboxing
  1. Trevon O'Neal, Antioch, California, USA.
  2. Trever "Bones" Jones, Ceres, California, USA.
     
     
• Boys 8-10 Intermediate Muay Thai Kickboxing
  1. *Trevor Jones, Ceres, California, USA.
  2. Sammy Sosa, Antioch, California, USA.
     
     
• Boys 13- 15 - 120lbs - 130lbs - MT
  1. Artrell Rankin, Antioch, California, USA.
  2. Luis Vaca, San Francisco, California, USA.
     
     
• Boys 130lb-140 - 15-17-MT
  1. Robert Burgess, Ceres, California, USA.
  2. Chris Vier, Fairfield, California, USA.
     
     
• Boys 16 -17 yrs.- 130- 140lbs.
  1. Nemo Vier, Fairfield, California, USA.
  2. Devonte Thomas, Fairfield, California, USA.
     
     
• Women Lightweight- MT
  1. Megan Nasareno, San Francisco, California, USA.
  2. Pamela Venegas, Torrance, California, USA.
     
     
• Men 140-150 MT
  1. Danny Osegura, Modesto, California, USA.
  2. Mike Alfaro, San Francisco, California, USA.
     
     
• Men 160-170 MT - Beginner
  1. Herschel Lucas, Pittsburg, California, USA.
  2. John Lange, San Fransico, California, USA.
     
     
• Men 160- 170 - Intermediate
  1. Seok Yang, San Francisco, California, USA.
  2. Manuel Castro-John, Vacaville, California, USA.
     
     
• Men 160- 170- Advance
  1. Tai Ly, San Francisco, California, USA.
  2. Michael Lewis, Napa, California, USA.
     
     
• Men 200-215 - MT
  1. David Martin-Wheeler, Modesto, California, USA.
  2. Brock Bell, Fairfield, California, USA.

Special thanks to Mr. Bobby Seronio and his Apple Open Karate Tournament.
More information at www.IKFPKB.com or contact Johnny Davis at johnnyd@akpromotions.org

THURSDAY, January 20th, 2011, AT 8:05 PM/ PST

THIS WEEKENDS IKF ACTION...

Bobby Seronio Presents
2nd Annual Apple Open Martial Arts Tournament
Vallejo, California, USA

• WHEN: Saturday, January 22nd, 2011
• WHO: Bobby Seronio
• WHERE: Jesse Bethel High School, Vallejo, California, USA
• WHAT: IKF Point Muay Thai / Kickboxing
• IKF Officials: Johnny Davis
• PROMOTER: Mr. Bobby Seronio (707) 980-2524
• ON THE WEB: www.AppleOpen.seroniomartialarts.com

• TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
  • 7:45 AM -1:00 PM Player Registration
  • 7:50 AM -8:50 AM Scorekeeping Clinic
  • 7:50 AM -8:50 AM Coordinator Meeting
  • 7:50 AM -8:50 AM Staff/Referee Clinic
  • 8:45 AM -8:55 AM Competitor Meeting
  • 9:00 AM -5:00 PM Competition
    • Note: NBL - JR. TEAM (BOYS/GIRLS) & CONTINUOUS WILL COMPETE AT 10 AM.

MORE IKF NEWS...

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

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

Daniel Hodges of Rocklin, California, USA (Left, 5-1-1, 146, 5'9")
Lands a Solid Kick On Anthony Gonzales of Dublin, California, USA (Right, 4-1/3, 147, 5'8")
Hodges went on to win the vacant
IKF AMATEUR MTR WEST COAST WELTERWEIGHT (142.1-147) TITLE
By Unanimous Decision, 49-46, 50-45 & 48-47.




IKF AMATEUR MTR WEST COAST WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION
Daniel "Hitman" Hodges
PICTURED: L-R: Johnny Davis (AK Promotions) - Wayne Wilson (Background - Ring Announcer) - Dan Stell (CSAC Referee) -
Daniel Hodges, Steve Fossum (IKF President) Hussein Rasuli (Rocklin Kickboxing) - Ring Girl, John Noble (Rocklin Kickboxing)




Jon Pryor of Sacramento, California, USA (Right, 7-3, 152, 5'7")
Goes for a Muay Thai Sweep On Josh Kretschmann of Elk Grove, California, USA (Left, 6-2, 150, 5'8")
Pryor went on to Successfully Defend his
IKF AMATEUR MTR UNITED STATES SUPER WELTERWEIGHT (147.1-153) TITLE
By Knockout at 1:57 of Round 1.




IKF AMATEUR MTR UNITED STATES SUPER WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION
Jon "The Hawk" Pryor
PICTURED: L-R: Ring Girl, Dan Stell (CSAC Referee) Jon Pryor,
Steve Fossum (IKF President) Cedric Robinson (Pryor's Trainer) Johnny Davis (AK Promotions)

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!

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

Johnny Davis

You have to go back a few years to catch-up with the history of Johnny Davis as a Kickboxing event Promoter. To be exact it was May 11th of 1996 when he and another Professional Kickboxing World Champions kicked-off their promotional company known as K.O. Kick Boxing.

The Promotional company was created by Johnny "Superfoot" Davis of San Jose CA USA and Sam Montgomery of Hayward, CA USA. It was on May 11th of 1996 that these two held their first event in Hayward, California, sanctioned by the IKF.

So who were they? Well, many here already know about Davis, so we will get to Johnny in a moment. However who was World Kickboxing Sam Montgomery?

Well, Sam amassed more than 150 trophies in Karate Tournaments, some of which included the Grand Champion in some of the most prestigious national tournaments.
Some of those wins included;

• *California State Karate Champion from 1975 through 1979.
• *Battle of Atlanta in 1981

Long before the IKF was even created (1992) Sam won the;

• *ISKA US Kickboxing Title in 1986
• *North American Kickboxing title in 1987
• *ISKA World Middleweight Kickboxing title in 1988.

Although their last event was a sell out success, after 3 events with Davis under their KO Kickboxing name, Sam thought the world of a Kickboxing Promoter was too much for him while running a full time martial arts school. Before long, he was back full time at his Martial Arts School which he still owns and operates today, Sam Montgomery's West Coast Tae Kwon Do in Hayward, California which was Established in 1978.

Johnny "Superfoot" Davis
Johnny on the other hand had saw a different future. After playing assistant and associate for other bay area kickboxing promoters, Davis knew his future was in the sport of kickboxing. A sport he put his heart and soul in for years prior to his development of KO Kickboxing with Sam.

Born on July 15, 1962, Davis grew up in the town of Dillon, South Carolina. As a boy he trained in martial arts, with his eye always on the winning trophy. Having won over 250 medals, trophies and awards in competition Davis took his skills a step further when he opened the "Superfoot" Davis School of Karate. it was in 1984 when he won a title he had, at that time, long been training for, the Grand Champion at the Battle of Atlanta.

However Davis had another dream he was chasing. While point karate was exciting, Davis dreamed of one day becoming a Kickboxing Champion, and not just a Champion, but a World Champion. Davis was highly recognize in the mid 80's for several memorable fights on ESPN. From 1980 to 1984 he won numerous regional kickboxing titles as the title of Champion came many times.

• PKA South Eastern Welterweight Champion.
• PKA North Carolina Light Middle Weight Champion.
• PKA East Coast Welterweight Champion
• PKA North Carolina Welterweight Champion.

Finally, on February 2nd, 1985 in Denver, Colorado at the Denver University Ice Arena, Davis faced a 3-1 favored Champion Alvin Prouder for the PKA World Welterweight Title. After 12 rounds, Davis surprised his critics and took the title from Prouder by decision. Sadly, back then, the PKA rules stated that the Champion had to buy their own belt, a belt Davis never received.

Davis followed up this victory in 1987 when he won the FFKA World title followed by the ISKA U.S. Middleweight Title that year in a bout featured on ESPN. Johnny's final record was 25 wins and 6 losses, with 13 wins by KO.

That sad chapter in Davis' life of never receiving his long desired and hard earned World Championship Belt came to an end though in 1997. IKF President Steve Fossum had heard of the story and at the 2097 IKF World Classic, Fossum surprised Davis and presented him with the award he had earned 22 Years earlier, a custom designed, PKA World Kickboxing Title Belt. (Right).

Davis has always been loyal to the IKF over the years. His list of related accomplishments with the IKF reads like an encyclopedia. Just a few of these accomplishments include, but are not limited to;

• President of IKF Point Kickboxing© for semi contact sport competition.
• IKF Certified Seminar Instructor
• IKF Certified Official
• IKF World Representative.
• First creator of IKF "Champions Training Tips"
• IKF TV Production Commentary Team
• IKF Promotions & Marketing.
• Winner Of The IKF Hall Of Fame PRESTIGE AWARD (2001)
• Authored "The Johnny Davis Kickboxing Manual - The Art Of Kickboxing", endorsed by the IKF.
• Produced and released the "Johnny Davis Kickboxing Training Video", endorsed by the IKF.
• Featured in Black Belt Magazine in a 5 page spread.
• And so much more...

After taking some time off to complete some of the above writing projects and other Kickboxing related projects, on November 14, 2003, Davis jumped back into the Kickboxing Promoters shoes and has never slowed down. This time calling all the shots, he started slow and built up. Today his Kickboxing events under the name AK Promotions are well looked at by his peers as one of the top Amateur Kickboxing Promotions in the nation and this weekends event will up that bar even more.

Today Johnny and his family live in Rocklin, California. It is there that he also owns and operates his "Rocklin Boxing & Kickboxing Club".

There are more and more pages we could tell you about Davis, but we have a fight card to show you for this weekend. Feel free to check out some of the featured pages about Davis and some of his writings over the years at the links below. As for us, we need to show you the fight card for one of Davis' best and biggest events so far that is happening this Sunday at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento, California.

For all the press articles leading up to this weekends action, click HERE!

See you in Sacramento Sunday!

• Johnny Davis History
  • Training Tips
  • Flying In Self Defense
  • A Stance for Something
  • Judging...Getting the "Point"
  • K-1 If It Glitters…Is it Gold?
  • Marketing Yourself In Kickboxing
  • IKF Wants You - The Reconstruction Era of Kickboxing
  • Kickboxing in Las Vegas with Nevada State's Marc Ratner

January 16th, 2011, AK Promotions"IKF Muay Thai / KICKBOXING", Doubletree Hotel, Sacramento, California, USA
FIGHT CARD AS OF
Friday, January 14th, 2011, 11:20 PM/PST
-Bouts Subject to Change-

BOUT

RED CORNER

RULE STYLE
WEIGHTCLASS

BLUE CORNER

-1-

Daniel Hernandez
Oakland, California, USA
0-0, Rakarma Young

AMATEUR MUAY THAI
142.1-147

Marlo Custudio
Milpitas, California, USA
0-0, 5'5", Rudi Ott

-2-

Rich Davis
Rocklin, California, USA
0-0, 6'1", RKB John Noble

AMATEUR
MODIFIED MUAY THAI
215.1-+

Frank Tapia
Fresno, California, USA
0-0, 5'11, James Contreas

-3-

Robert Gomez
Modesto, California, USA
0-0, 5'6", Jesse Vasquez

AMATEUR MUAY THAI
153.1-159

Kevin Rodas
Concord, California, USA
0-0, 5'7", Dan Black

-4-

Hugo Dominguez
Patterson, California, USA
3-2, 6'1", Mitch Heremia

AMATEUR
MODIFIED MUAY THAI
220-225

Xavier Vigney
Pleasant Hill, California, USA
3-1, 6'8", Dan Black

-5-

Jesus Sosa
San Leandro, California, USA
3-2, 5'7", Ivan Ramos

AMATEUR MUAY THAI
142.1-147

Josh Sandiego
Milpitas, California, USA
3-2, 5'11", Rudi Ott

-6-

Steve Clacken
Vallejo, California, USA
0-0, 5'10", Trey Howard

AMATEUR MUAY THAI
147.1-153

Kevin Bee
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
0-2, 6', Franky Chavez

-7-

Ed Abasolo
Vallejo, California, USA
1-0, 5'9", Trey Howard

AMATEUR MUAY THAI
153.1-159

Fred Estrada
Sacramento, California, USA
0-0, 5'8", Cedric Robinson

-8-

Cliff Smith
Elk Grove, California, USA
1-1, 5'11", Mike Chue

AMATEUR MUAY THAI
179.1-186

Christian Johnson
Sacramento, California, USA
0-0, 6'1", Cedric Robinson

-9-

IKF AMATEUR MTR
WEST COAST WELTERWEIGHT (142.1-147) TITLE

Daniel Hodges
Rocklin, California, USA
4-1-1, 147, 5'9", RKB, John Noble

VS

Anthony Gonzales
Dublin, California, USA
4-0/3, 145, 5'8", Kirian Fitzgibbons

-10-

IKF AMATEUR MTR
UNITED STATES SUPER WELTERWEIGHT (147.1-153) TITLE *DEFENSE

Josh Kretschmann
Elk Grove, California, USA
5-1, 153, 5'7", 11-1-80, Jeff Baca

VS

*Jon Pryor
Sacramento, California, USA
6-3, 154, 5'6", Cedric Robinson

-11-

Arturas Barkauskas
San Francisco, California, USA
4-4, 5'10, Jongsanan

AMATEUR MUAY THAI
142.1-147

Anthony Acosta
San Leandro, California, USA
4-2, 5'10, Ivan Ramos

-12-

Ray Pena
Modesto, California, USA
0-0, 5'8", Jesse Vazquez

AMATEUR MUAY THAI
186.1-195

Brandon Horton
Ceres, California, USA
0-0, 5'10", Miguel Duran

-13-

Ron Jacildo
Vallejo, California, USA
0-0, Trey Howard

AMATEUR MUAY THAI
127.1-132

Anthony Aruelio
Concord, California, USA
0-0, Dan Black

-14-

IKF AMATEUR MODIFIED MTR
UNITED STATES SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE

Manuel "Macho Man" Mancha
Madera, California, USA
4-0/3, AMMA: 2-0, 274, 6'2", Jeff Baca

VS

John "Big Sexy" Hurney
San Jose, California, USA
4-0/1, 229, 6'2", Kirian Fitzgibbons

He is... Isaias Duenas, The Surprise From Mexico.
Isaias Duenas Riestra was born in Mexico, in 1950. In 1973, he takes part in the first Taekwondo World Championship, in South Korea. He doesn't win a medal. By contrast, his team, of which he is the leader, finishes 3rd at the event. Duenas doesn't take part in the following World Championships but in 1974, his Moo Duk Kwan team wins the championships, in Mexico.

On September 14th 1974, in Los Angeles, Duenas takes part in the famous event during which the first World Champions PKA are designated. Fighting in the Lightweight division his first opponent is German fighter Frank Knittel. In the middle of the 2nd round, Duenas wins by KO. Video of the fight can be seen by clicking Here.

During his 2nd fight of the evening, Duenas faces Ramon Smith, of the Dominican Republic. In the prelims, Ramon Smith has beaten Howard Jackson, the great favorite from the USA. In the 3rd round, Duenas wins by TKO, after winning the first two rounds. He becomes World Champion in the Lightweight division.

On May 25th, 1976 in Paris, France at the Palais des Sports, Team USA fought against Team Europe. This information was a little confusing because it was never clear if Duenas was on Team USA or just a fighter from Mexico fighting on this event. Duenas fought Jörg Schmidt, of Berlin, Germany. The match was stopped in the 3rd round when Schmidt's nose is broken. Throughout the beginning of the fight, Schmidt had dominated Duenas.

Not much was ever heard of him after this event. We did learn that in December of 1976, the PKA stripped him of his title because he either had not or would not fight Benny Urquidez.

3rd Man Out?

To the left stood the man the Martial Arts World would know as "Superfoot", Bill Wallace. At the far right, well, he needs little introduction, but if you read the article from yesterday, you would know that he was known as the "Muhammed Ali of his sport," or as voted by the top fighters and promoters in 1983 ahead of Chuck Norris and Bill Wallace, as the "Greatest karate fighter of all time," Joe Lewis. However, for whatever reasons, few would remember the name of the man taking center stage in the photo.

Once you learn more about him here,
You should never forget him!
Who is he?

Jeff Smith.
Jeff "The DC Bomber" Smith was a World Kickboxing Champion and the first recipient of the Bruce Lee Award for "fighter of the year." (Selected by Mrs. Bruce Lee and Karate Magazine) He was from Kingsville Texas where he started his training in Taekwondo at the Texas A & I University TKD club in 1965. He got his Black Belt September of 1969. Jhoon Rhee would come every 3 months to Texas and teach and test at several college clubs that he had started while at the University. After Smith got his Black Belt, Rhee invited him to come to Washington D.C. to teach in his schools and train. Smith's tournament background reads like the other "Red, White & Blue" Superstars in the famous photo with wins such as...

• 1972, Grand-Champion of the Pan American Championships in Baltimore.
• 1972, North American Championships in Toronto/Canada, wins the heavyweights title.
• 1973, Battle of Atlanta defeats Frank Hargrove, John Natividad and Everett Monsterman Eddy in the semi-finals but loses in the finals against Howard Jackson.
• May, 1973, he defeats Bill Wallace 5-1, Fred Wren 5-1, Darnell Garcia 5-1 and Howard Jackson 6-5 at the US Pro/Am (US Open Championships), in Ocean-City.
• 1973, Karate Team Championships, the Texas team is composed of Kurban, Butin, Gotcher, Watson and Havanas, and is coached by Allen and Pat Steen Burleston. The Washington DC team, coached by Jhoon Rhee is composed of Gordon Franks, Wayne Booth, Wayne Van Buren, Pat Worlen and Jeff Smith. Smith won his match against Havanas 3-0 and the team of Washington beat Texas 6-4.
• 1973, Top Ten Nationals he defeats John Natividad, and after James Butin for the heavyweights finals, 4-3.
• 1973, US Open Professional, Ocean City he defeats Howard Jackson 7-6, in the finals.
• 1973, wins the title of Grand Champion at the first "Professional Karate Tournament", for the West Coast team.
• On May 17th 1974, in Berlin, the first European Championship Professional Karate tournament is held. At the end of the day, fights take place between the Europeans and the Americans. Smith defeated Harald Schrader, 5-0, second in the European middleweights.
• A few days later, he defeats Peter Kredijt, a Kyokushinkai practitioner, in a match between the USA and the Netherlands, in Amsterdam.
• 1974, he defeated Darnell Garcia, in the Ed Parker's Internationals Karate Championships, in Long Beach, CA, USA.
• 1974, he defeated Fred Wren for the middleweight crown, at the Karate Olympics in Houston.

On September 14th, 1974 in Los Angeles, California, USA, the Full Contact World Championships are organized by the new federation, the PKA (Professional Karate Association). Traditional karatekas from the USA and European fighters, are sorted in an unknown manner. Jeff Smith, like all other participants, have no experience of fighting with KO, with the exception of Joe Lewis and Wally Slocki (which have already met in a match with contact).

During the first battle, Jeff Smith defeated Budimir Vejnovic of Yugoslavia, a resident of Berlin, in the 1st round, with a right hand followed by a kick. Next Smith beats Wally Slocki of Canada, on points. Smith wins the first round and Slocki the second. Finally, Smith wins the third round, as a point is deducted against Slocki, following the instructions given by the referee. That evening, Jeff Smith becomes World Champion of the Middleweights for the PKA. Joe Lewis and Bill Wallace also become Champions of the World, in their respective categories.

On October 1st, 1975 at the 3rd fight between Pro Boxers Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in Manila, Philippines, Jeff Smith defends his title on points, in 11 rounds, against Karriem Allah of USA, (aka Karriem Abdallah). This event is widely broadcast on television and seen by over fifty million viewers as a preview before the Ali vs Frazier World Boxing Title Fight, known as the "Thrilla in Manila." Smith wins by a split decision. Allah won the first rounds and Smith taking the later rounds.

In 1979 Dan Macaruso defeated Smith for the title by split decision after 12 rounds. Word has it that Macaruso would never give Smith a rematch. Macaruso went on to defeat Dominique Valera by KO in round 6, Dale Michaud by KO in round 1 and Carl Beamon. From 1982 to 1985, Macaruso fought Pro Boxing and amassed a record of 9-3 with 5 wins by KO.

Smith defended his title of World Champion 7 times and when he retired from the sport he amassed a full contact kickboxing record of 21-1 with 7 wins coming by KO. He currently operates a martial arts school in Virginia where he teaches Tae Kwon Do, in which he holds a 9th degree black belt. On April 6, 2007 he was inducted into the Official Taekwondo Hall of Fame.

Now that you know everyone in this famous photo, wouldn't it be GREAT to duplicate it again...
Maybe at this years
2011 IKF World Classic in July in Orlando Florida?



And for the rest of You...

"DARE TO BE GREAT"

"Dare to be Powerful Beyond Measure!"

Click the photo below and do so!

And we will see you In Orlando!

• For more about Jeff Smith, click HERE.
• Smith on Wikipedia
• Jeff Smith's info Page on our site, 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!
  
  
• For the AK Press Page, Click HERE!

1. It marks Chuck Norris' last fight before retiring when he defeated Al Dacascos for the US Team Championship.
   • Norris announced his retirement following the match.
2. It's the first and only time that four of the greatest early fighters, Chuck Norris, Joe Lewis, Mike Stone and Skipper Mullins, fought as one team, named the "West Coast Team";
3. It's accompanied by America's first kickboxing match, in which Joe Lewis defeats Greg Baines by 2nd round KO;
4. Skipper Mullins defeated Walter Mattson and
5. Although headlines will say, "Chuck Norris, Joe Lewis, Mike Stone, Bob Wall and Skipper Mullins win the first World Professional Karate team title." Two team members lost;
   • It marks one of only three losses in the career of Mike Stone, when he pulls his shoulder and is unable to continue against Victor Moore.
   • Bob Wall was defeated by Billy Watson.
     • The only footage of this bout was found on Bob Wall's own website. It is terribly cut up to show what could be the best moves of Wall which is sadly sloppy. Click Here.

• JOE LEWIS
  • Joe Lewis was born on March 7, 1944 in Knightdale, North Carolina. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1962 and was stationed at Cherry Point.
  • He was one of the first Marines stationed in Vietnam as a member of the first combat unit,, 8th Marine Brigade, 1965. One of the first Americans to teach Hand to Hand Combat in Vietnam working with Division Recon. While there he met Rocky Marciano.
  • He began his training in Okinawa studying Shorin-ryu Karate with three instructors, Eizo Shimabuku, Kinjo Chinsaku and Seiyu Oyata while serving in the United States Marine Corps, earning his black belt in a mere seven months.
  • Lewis never believed in "style" to him they were all the same..."punching and kicking."
  • Upon returning to the USA, he began a winning tournament career. From 1967 to 1968, he studied privately with the influential martial artist and Jeet Kune Do founder Bruce Lee.
  • Dubbed the "Muhammed Ali of his sport," Lewis is to Karate what Arnold Schwarzeneger is to body building. In a career that spanned 17 years, he won more titles in his era , set more records and instituted more innovations than anyone in the history of Sport Karate.
  • In 1966, with only 22-months of training, Lewis won the grand championship of the 1st tournament he entered, The U.S. Nationals promoted by Jhoon Rhee. Lewis defeated 7 opponents before defeating Tom Lupuppet by 2-0 decision. Lewis reigned as The U.S. Nationals grand champion from 1966-1969.
  • At the 1967 Nationals in Washington, Lewis won the championship by beating Frank Hargrove 3-2 in the finals. Previously, Lewis defeated Hargrove in New York City at 'Henry Cho's Karate Tournament'.
  • Some have said that Full Contact Karate or Kickboxing was born on September 14, 1974 on ABC's Wide World of Entertainment when promoter Mike Anderson introduced PKA 'full-contact' karate. However, this is not true. The real birth of the sport happened 4 years earlier on this event above ( January 17th, 1970 ).
    • In late 1969, promoter Lee Faulkner contacted Lewis to fight in his upcoming 1970 United States Karate Championships. Lewis had retired from point fighting at the time but agreed to fight if Faulkner would promote a full-contact karate bout with Lewis and an opponent who would fight to the knockout. Faulkner agreed. As Lewis and opponent Greg Baines entered the ring wearing boxing gloves the announcer identified the fighters as "Kickboxers". That night on January 17th, 1970, kickboxing was born and Joe Lewis won the newly conceived United States Heavyweight 'Kickboxing' Championship with a second round knockout over Greg Baines.
  • Lewis defended his United States Heavyweight Kickboxing title he won on January 17th, 1970 with 10 straight knockouts between 1970/71.
  • The 1970-71 rules for US kickboxing included knees, elbows and leg kicks.
  • Some of those victories included,
    1. June 20, 1970 in Dallas, Texas, Lewis defended his US title against "Big" Ed Daniels at the U.S.A. Professional Open Karate Championships promoted by Lee Faulkner. Lewis retained his title by knocking out Daniels in 2 rounds.
    2. In a rematch, Lewis KO'd Daniels in 3 rounds.
    3. On January 24, 1971, at the 2nd Annual United Nations Open Karate Championships promoted by Aaron Banks, Lewis knocked out Ronnie Barkoot at 1:25 of the first round.
    4. At another Banks promotion; United States Championship Kickboxing Bouts, Lewis scored a 3rd round knockout over "Atlas" Jesse King.
  • Lewis is the only kickboxer to be featured on the cover of The Ring Boxing Magazine.
  • By the end of 1971, interest in kickboxing had hit an all time low. With promoters unable to attract a crowd to a kickboxing event, Lewis retired as undefeated United States Heavyweight Kickboxing champion in 1971. His record as the undisputed United States heavyweight kickboxing champion was a perfect 10-0 with 10 KO's.
  • On September 14, 1974 on ABC's Wide World of Entertainment promoter Mike Anderson introduced PKA 'full-contact' karate. In the bouts, competitors wore foam hand and foot protection and fought to the knockout (Kickboxing rules allowed for leg kicks: full-contact karate rules did not permit kicks to the legs). At the time, Lewis was the retired US Heavyweight Kickboxing champion (1970) and was accustomed to full contact fighting. On this night he beat his only opponent in the new sport of full contact karate with a 2nd round ridge hand knockout over Yugoslavia's Frank Brodar in Los Angeles, California to win the Professional Karate Association (PKA) Heavyweight full-contact karate title.
    • The original 1974 PKA world champions, included:
      • Joe Lewis (Heavyweight)
      • Jeff Smith (Light Heavyweight)
      • Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace (Middleweight)
    • All 3 received so much fanfare from the PKA title wins and resultant publicity in popular martial arts magazines that their status as "Legends of the karate world" was guaranteed.
    • Lewis advanced his public persona the next year by appearing on the cover of Playgirl magazine.
    • In 1975 he was inducted into the Black Belt magazine Hall of Fame as the 1974 full contact karate "fighter of the year".
  • Lewis eventually retired again from the sport in 1983 with a Professional Kickboxing record of 18-4 with 16 knockouts.
  • Joe Lewis was voted by the top fighters and promoters as the Greatest karate fighter of all time in 1983. Chuck Norris and Bill Wallace tied for second place. Gene Lebell has credited Joe as the person who "brought us full-contact karate."
  • Not that this means anything, but both Lewis and IKF President Steve Fossum were born on the same day, March 7th.
  • For more about Joe Lewis, click HERE.
  • Lewis on Wikipedia
    
    

JOE LEWIS

• MIKE STONE
  • In 1962, Mike Stone joined the U.S. Army where he was intrigued with the hand at hand combat training in self defense. While stationed in Arkansas, Stone trained under Herbert Peters. He was encourage by his teacher to enter his first martial arts tournament in 1963 in the Southwest Championships as a brown belt.
  • In 1968, Stone was selected to be a member of the U.S. karate team and was voted the outstanding competitor of that team.
  • He became the first professional light heavyweight champion of the world.
  • He was also inducted into the black belt magazine hall of fame as instructor of the year.
  • Although some have advertised Mike Stone as an "Undefeated" World Champion, this simply isn't true. Stone fought in six tournaments as a black belt and in three as a brown belt before he retired.
    • He lost to Vic Moore in Pasadena California (1969 ) for the light heavyweight championship at the world teams championship when he had to quit because of a dislocated shoulder.
      • Vic Moore and Joe Lewis introduced kickboxing to America on the Merv Griffin TV show in 1973. Moore and Joe Lewis were the first to introduce kickboxing on national TV and were some of the first professional kickboxers in the United States. Jim Harrison defeated Moore in the first kickboxing tournament in the United States.
    • He lost first to Allen Steen in a tournament of Champions. Each had a loss so they fought again and Stone won the second match.
    • He lost to one of Chuck Norris' brown belts that beat him in Salt Lake City.
  • At the World Professional Karate Championship, organized by Aaron Banks on November 24th 1968 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, Stone dominated widely against Bob Taiani, alias Tara Takayuki. At a certain point, the doctor finds that Stone has broken his ankle. Despite this, the game resumed and Stone wins 93 to 70.
  • And who can forget Stone's tie in with "The King"...
  • For more about Mike Stone click HERE.
    
    

MIKE STONE

• SKIPPER MULLINS
  • Lewis "Skipper" Mullins was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He began training in taekwondo in October 1963, under Texas-based martial arts instructor Allen Steen at the Red Bird National Guard Armory. In April 1966, Mullins was promoted to 1st degree black belt by Steen.
  • In November 1965, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After finishing his basic training he was sent to Marine Corps Base Quantico in Quantico, Virginia, where his MOS was that of a pay and separation clerk. Mullins would teach martial arts to fellow marines and FBI candidates from the FBI Academy also located in Quantico.
  • During this time Mullins would begin training under his instructor Allen Steen's instructor Jhoon Rhee who had schools in nearby Washington D.C.
  • He was named Vice President of the Texas Karate Institute by Steen in 1968.
  • As a karate fighter, Mullins was known as the fastest kicker in karate. He was once described as someone whose legs attached at his arm pits. His kicking technique was considered phenomenal. He could tag you with a front leg spin kick from across a room. To those who are familiar with both eras, Mullins is thought of as the greatest kicker in the history of the U.S. karate scene. Bill Wallace, who fought in competition after the time of Mullins is thought of as a tremendous kicker, but he got a lot of his kicking technique from Mullins. His lighting fast kicks delivered countless victories in an era where punchers dominated the tournament circuit.
  • Mullins competed in all major tournaments and won most of them.
  • He was rated in the top 10 karate fighters by Black Belt Magazine for 6 of the 7 years he completed.
  • He was named the number one fighter in 1966.
  • He was selected as one of the top ten fighters of all time in a survey held by Black Belt Magazine in the July 1987 Issue.
  • He was inducted into the Texas Hall of Fame May 23, 1998.
  • During his tournament career, he won seven (7) World Karate Titles.
    • His tournament wins include: 1969-71 World Professional Lightweight Champion, 1967, 71, and 72 All-American Champion, 1967 Top 10 Champion, 1968 International Champion.
  • He had approximately 1100 fights, losing only 15 of them.
  • In 1967 he competed in a tournament in New York City on Friday night, Dallas, Texas on Saturday and Los Angeles on Sunday. He returned to Dallas Sunday night in a wheelchair after winning two of the three tournaments. He vowed never to do this again. The travel alone almost killed him, let alone the competition. He is the only known fighter to have ever attempted such an endeavor.
  • While in the Marine Corps, he trained fellow Marines, Officer Candidates, and FBI Candidates at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia.
  • For more about Skipper Mullins click HERE.
  • Skipper Mullins on Wikipedia
    
    

SKIPPER MULLINS

• CHUCK NORRIS
  • Born March 10th, 1940, Chuck Norris joined the United States Air Force as an Air Policeman (AP) in 1958 and was sent to Osan Air Base, South Korea. It was there that he acquired the nickname Chuck and began his training in Tang Soo Do (tangsudo), an interest that led to black belts in that art and the founding of the Chun Kuk Do ("Universal Way") form.
  • When he returned to the United States, he continued to act as an AP at March Air Force Base, California. He was discharged in August 1962 and worked for the Northrop Corporation and opened a chain of karate schools including a storefront school in his then-hometown of Torrance on Hawthorne Boulevard. During this time he taught celebrity clients such as Steve McQueen, Chad McQueen, Bob Barker, Priscilla Presley, Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond.
  • When Chuck Norris was a karate fighter, full contact blows were all part of the game. However, Full Contact Karate as a Ring Sport never existed. In 1969, he won Karate's triple crown for the most tournament wins of the year, and the fighter of the year award by Black Belt Magazine. He retired with a karate record of 183-10-2 though some sources list it as 65-5. He won an estimated 30 or more tournaments, beating an average of five opponents per tournament. At the New York tournaments, he defeated 12-13 opponents per tournament. For NY Examples,
    • 1967: Defeated 11 opponents in elimination matches at the All-American Karate Championships in Madision Square Garden in New York City. He also defeated Hiroshi Nakamura (Japan) in semi-finals by points 12-1, and went on to defeat Joe Lewis for the Grand Championship.
    • August 12, 1967: Defeated 11 opponents in elimination matches at the Grand Champion Internationals. He also defeated Carlos Bundo and Joe Lewis by one point.
    • 1968: Won All-American Karate Championships in New York defeating 13 opponents.
    • 1970: Won North American Karate Championships in New York, New York defeating 12 opponents.
    • Makes you wonder how good he might have been if the Ring Sport of Kickboxing was around in his prime...
  • Norris created the martial art Chun Kuk Do, which is based primarily on Tang Soo Do and includes elements from every combat style he knows. Like many other martial arts, Chun Kuk Do includes a code of honor and rules to live by. These rules are from Chuck Norris's personal code. They are:
    1. I will develop myself to the maximum of my potential in all ways.
    2. I will forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements.
    3. I will continually work at developing love, happiness and loyalty in my family.
    4. I will look for the good in all people and make them feel worthwhile.
    5. If I have nothing good to say about a person, I will say nothing.
    6. I will always be as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.
    7. I will maintain an attitude of open-mindedness.
    8. I will maintain respect for those in authority and demonstrate this respect at all times.
    9. I will always remain loyal to God, my country, family and my friends.
    10. I will remain highly goal-oriented throughout my life because that positive attitude helps my family, my country and myself.
  • For more about Chuck Norris click HERE.

CHUCK NORRIS

So who is the greatest martial-arts champion ever?
From Article by Chuck Norris (2007)
The truth is I'm not worthy enough to answer that. But there is One who is. And His answer applies to the martial arts as well as any other field of discipline, study or work. When an argument broke out among Jesus' disciples as to who was the greatest, He called over a child to their sides, then replied,

"Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest…
those who are the greatest should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant."

It isn't being the greatest champion, but the greatest servant that ultimately matters.
I know that might seem easy for me to say, having been a six-time world champion, but I mean it.

It took me too many years to realize that it isn't the ladders we climb
but the service we offer in this life that truly makes us great.
Chuck Norris

So Ask Yourself...
"What Are YOU Doing For Others... For This Sport?"

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Trainers...

IS YOUR FIGHTER SAFE?

Are Your Fighter's Fighting Too Quickly After A
KO/TKO
In The Gym?

Or Even WITHIN A
Mandated Medical Suspension?

Your fighter is strong, fast and talented and tonight he/she is in one of the toughest bouts of their lives. The crowd is cheering and the action in the ring is nothing short of "Explosive" by both competitors! When the final bell sounds and the judges scores are read, your fighter wins one of the greatest bouts of his or her life! All is Good!

Sadly what you and your fighter don't know is just how much damage was done in tonights bout. Things may all seem normal after tonights win, but lurking in the darkness is an unforeseen injury that will change the lives of many...

Three weeks later, your fighter is in a much easier bout, and takes a punch to the head that looks like any other head blow, however, the damage that some will believe just happened, actually happened three weeks ago. Your fighter falls to the canvas and lapses in and out of consciousness until finally, they are out cold. Emergency medical staff is immediately by your fighters side and they quickly rush him to a trauma center. Doctors quickly diagnose the problem as... Second-impact syndrome and your fighter is rushed to surgery... Sadly, within hours after the surgery, your fighter is gone, and the questions begin... How and Why?

What Is
Second-Impact Syndrome?

Second-impact syndrome (SIS) is a condition in which the brain swells rapidly and catastrophically after a person suffers a second concussion before symptoms from an earlier one have subsided. This deadly second blow may occur days, weeks or minutes after an initial concussion, and even the mildest grade of concussion can lead to SIS. SIS is the most serious potential complication that could result from an athlete returning to train or fight before symptoms from a minor head injury have subsided. Such symptoms include headache, cognitive difficulties, or visual changes.

The initial injury may be a concussion, or it may be another, more severe, type of head trauma, such as cerebral contusion. However, the first concussion need not be severe for the second impact to cause SIS. Also, the second impact may be very minor, even a blow such as an impact to the chest that causes the head to jerk, thereby transmitting forces of acceleration to the brain.

Loss of consciousness during the second injury is not necessary for SIS to occur. Both injuries may take place the same day, maybe even in the same fight. The fighter may continue fighting after the second concussion, and may walk out of the ring without assistance, but symptoms quickly progress and the condition can rapidly worsen.

They usually remain alert on their feet for 15 seconds to 1 minute or so but seem dazed. Usually within seconds to minutes of the second impact, the fighter, conscious but stunned, suddenly collapses, semi-conscious with rapidly dilating (widening) pupils and loss of eye movement, and stops breathing.

OUTCOME
AFTER INJURY

Neurological collapse can occur within a short period, with rapid onset of dilating pupils, loss of eye movement, unconsciousness, and respiratory failure. The most shocking of all is how quickly failure of the brain stem can occur. Between two and five minutes of the second impact, death can follow shortly making you realize, that the time it took from impact to the operating table was meaningless. SIS is often documented as a "Non survivable injury".

TREATMENT

Treatment of the loss of autoregulation of the brain's blood vessels may be difficult or impossible. When SIS occurs, surgery does not help and there is little hope for recovery. Treatment requires immediate recognition and includes administration of osmotic agents and hyperventilation in order to lower intracranial pressure.

Although the condition is often fatal, almost everyone who is not killed is severely disabled. The cause of SIS is uncertain, but it is thought that the brain's arterioles lose their ability to regulate their diameter, and therefore lose control over cerebral blood flow, causing massive cerebral edema. Athletes are most at risk and in order to prevent SIS, guidelines have been established to prohibit athletes from returning to the fight game prematurely. This is why regulatory bodies for the fight game give fighters medical suspensions of a minimum of 30 days. However, in the case above, injuries don't always happen to the losing fighter who just suffered a TKO or Knockout.

After a TKO or KO, ringside doctors are required to suspend a fighter for a determined period of time by recommending the fighter not return to fight (Or even train in a gym) before symptoms of an initial head injury have resolved. Due to the very small number of recorded cases of SIS, there is doubt about whether it is a valid diagnosis. However, the syndrome is recognized by physicians.

PREVENTION

Measures that prevent head injuries in general also prevent SIS. This of course is the reason amateur fighters are often advised or required to use headgear. However the use of headgear does not entirely prevent the syndrome. Experts advise that fighters who have suffered one concussion and still complain of concussion-related symptoms be prohibited from returning to the ring due to the possibility of developing SIS. Fighters are also discouraged from returning to even work-out in the gym until after they have been evaluated and approved for resuming by a health care provider skilled in evaluating concussion. Some fighters may verbally deny concussion symptoms because they do not wish to be prevented from training or missing a highly anticipated bout. This is where education by a skilled trainer is vital... The fighter needs to be informed by their trainer what to look out for to in a sense, "Help them help themselves."

TRAINER ERROR?

In most cases of SIS, the individual had received another concussion previously. If you are a trainer, ask yourself how many times have your fighters been "Clocked" in the gym? How many times have you had a fighter knocked down, or even knocked out in the gym? Sadly, we all know, such incidents are not reported, and very few fighters as well as trainers feel they need to take a 30-45 day break after such an occurrence. This could very well be where the extent of the damage was caused that ultimately lead to the fighters death, days or even weeks later.

Trainers "Should" prohibit a fighter from training in the gym as well as fighting again who has suffered a concussion, regardless of the speed with which the symptoms reportedly resolve. An initial head injury may impair an athlete's judgment and ability to decide to refrain from participating in risky activity, so some health care providers encourage family members (MORE SO, THEIR TRAINERS) and other acquaintances to pressure a fighter not to return to train or fight until they have been cleared by a physician.

If fighter is suspected of having a concussion, a very basic neurological evaluation should be performed. If a medical professional is not immediately available, the examination can be performed by a trainer or another fighter. Assess the injured fighter's level of consciousness, concentration, speech, memory, vision, and coordination. Below is a simple outline of an exam:

If the fighter has lost consciousness, they should be transported to a hospital immediately. If the fighter is unable to perform the simple exam outlined above, they should be transported to the hospital. If a fighter has any symptoms related to a concussion, the fighter should not continue with the current training session or match. The fighter should be evaluated by a physician before returning to competition. Most importantly, a fighter who experiences symptoms following a concussion requires serial neurologic evaluations for as long as the symptoms persist to determine if the fighter's condition is deteriorating. Observation of the fighter may be permitted at home if the physician determines the neurologic condition is very unlikely to deteriorate. Another person (an observer) should be in close contact to the fighter for the first 24 hours. The observer needs to be given explicit instructions on monitoring the following:

• Inability to awaken the fighter.
• Severe or worsening headaches.
• Somnolence or confusion.
• Seizures.
• Visual disturbances.
• Vomiting.
• Urinary or bowel incontinence.
• Weakness or numbness of any body region.

The fighter should be awakened every two hours for the first night and stay away from all strenuous activity for 24 hours. If any of the above signs are present, this may indicate increased brain swelling or hemorrhage caused by brain contusions (bruises). This is an indication to seek immediate additional medical care at a local hospital. Furthermore, a fighter will be held from competition and activity for a minimum of one week. Return to competition will be determined by the physician based on the fighter's traumatic brain injury (TBI) history and absence of symptoms.

Several different sets of "Return-to-play" guidelines exist for athletes who have suffered minor head trauma. These exist in part to prevent the player from developing SIS. A variety of concussion grading systems have been devised, in part to aid in this determination. Every return-to-play guideline recommends that an athlete not return to competition until all concussion symptoms are absent during both rest and exercise. The American Academy of Neurology recommends that young athletes be prohibited from returning to play for at least a week in most cases of concussion. The current return-to-play guidelines (Below) may not be strict enough to protect young athletes from SIS. This is why many State Athletic Commissions regulating fight sports established minimum medical suspension requirements for fighters who have been stopped in their bout due to blows or even knocked out in their bout. From these State Athletic Commission requirements, other regulatory and fight sanctioning bodies ( EX: IKF ) have adopted the very same suspensions.

The Colorado Medical Society guidelines were published in 1991 in response to the death of a high school athlete due to what was thought to be second-impact syndrome. According to the guidelines, a grade I concussion consists of confusion only, grade II includes confusion and post-traumatic amnesia, and grade III and IV involve a loss of consciousness. By these guidelines, an athlete who has suffered a concussion may return to sports after having been free of symptoms, both at rest and during exercise, as shown in the following table:

In schools across America it is now being recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and state athletic organizations that coaches be trained in managing athlete concussions according to current guidelines. However, sadly there is no such requirement for trainers of fighters in the fight world. In fact, there are very few requirements "IF ANY" as requirements to be a trainer of a full contact fighter(s) (Kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA, Boxing). In fact, being a fight trainer is more often judged upon how well the trainer can teach a fighter how to fight, and not how to survive, such as knowing things like the graph above.

Regulatory bodies, sanctioning bodies and State Athletic Commissions require their ringside physicians to place fighters who have been TKO'ed and Knocked Out on medical suspensions beginning at 30 days ( EX: IKF ). Sometimes the ringside doctor may place a fighter on medical suspension simply due to the fact they were in a hard fought bout, a bout they could have even won. Most trainers and fighters believe their issued medical suspension is the number of days before they are allowed to fight again, however, this is only partly true. As noted above, a fighter who has received too many strong blows or has been knocked unconscious (Even if in the Gym in Sparring!) needs time to recover, which means they should not even be in the gym, hitting a bag, let along sparring, let alone "Fighting" within their suspension time.

Sadly, too often, whether it be the eager fighter seeking another opportunity or an inexperienced trainer with no concept of fighter safety, we hear about a fighter fighting inside their regulated medical suspension. Sure, they can do so and maybe nothing will happen... However, it only takes one time... A fighter is training hard for a much anticipated bout, sparring hard in the gym and while doing so is dropped by their sparring partner, maybe even losing consciousness... They are quickly revived by their trainer and training partners and of course told how tough they are after taking such a shot. "Shake it off, you will be fine!" And as noted above, they can do so and maybe nothing will happen.. But again, "It only takes once..." Days or weeks later in the middle of a bout, the fighter drops from a non knockout blow, drifts in and out of consciousness before blacking out... The damage is done, in fact, the damage was done days, maybe even weeks ago and instead of being safe, keeping his fighter from potential harm, the trainer now is wondering "What happened?"

WEDNESDAY, January 5th, 2011, AT 1:30 PM/ PST

Results From Johnny Davis' AK Promotions'
The Super Grands World Games
December 28th, 2010 - Sacramento, California, USA

IKF Point Muay Thai / Point Kickboxing Challenge

• WHO: Johnny Davis' AK Promotions
• WHERE: Sacramento, California, USA, Doubletree Hotel, 2001 Point West Way
• WHAT: IKF Point Muay Thai / Point Kickboxing Challenge
  • The Super Grands World Games
• IKF/PKB Officials: Johnny Davis, John Nobles, Brandi Ross, Trey Howard, Danny Stell, Jesus Barrios.
• PROMOTER: Johnny Davis, johnnyd@akpromotions.org or (916) 205-4762 or (916) 630-9254
• ON THE WEB: Super Grand World Games

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KISELA PHOTOGRAPHY
More information on Mr. Kisela e-mail at
chriskisela@gmail.com or check out his website at www.chriskiselaphotography.com or by calling (408) 688-6469.

MONDAY, January 3rd, 2011, AT 6:00 PM/ PST

Looking Forward To A Great 2011!

PAST IKF NEWS - CLICK HERE!

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