Fight News
 Questions, changes and more changes have been the theme for the past couple of the months. Early July I got a lot of calls about fights for the next few months. It was all to start with a fight on August 27th in Greensboro, NC. This fight was billed Kombat in the Carolinas which was a boxing/kickboxing card promoted by Cheryl Nance and Clay Roberts. The fight was a KICK World Title defense against John Flemming from Glasgow, Scotland. I defeated Mr. Fleming at 1:52 of the second round by TKO. John was a tough spirited fighter who fought his heart out.
 Two weeks later on Sept 16th I was scheduled to fight USKBA World Champion Dan "The Lizard" Lucas. This fight was to be for the KICK World Heavyweight Title which I hold, the USKBA Heavyweight World Title which Dan holds, and the vacant WKKO Heavyweight World Title on VA Beach , VA. As you read I fought on August 27th in Greensboro , NC and Dan also fought the same night against Antoine McCrae in New York. Dan won his bout in a 10 round decision but injured his elbow in the process. The fight on September 16th was cancelled.
 I was disappointed but felt okay since I had been talking with Cory Schafer at the ISKA about fighting October 8th in Dallas, TX on Chuck Norris' newly formed World Combat League. This is a new formula for kickboxing that combined the excitement of an individual fight with the enjoyment of pulling for a team.
 Everything was a go I was to fight on the Los Angeles Stars against a fighter by the name of Carlos Tearney. A couple of weeks before the event I get a call from Cory stating that everything had been shuffled around and I did not have an opponent.
 I called promoter Cheryl Nance and told her what had happened she went to work to find and opponent for me on her show the same day here in Greensboro, NC.  After a couple of days of searching she had found an opponent. This was on Thurs Sept 29th. Later on that day I received a call from Mr. Schafer an he said that it might be a possibility I could come out to Dallas and be and alternate.  I told him that I would love to do it but I had committed to a fight in Greensboro for Cheryl Nance on that day but if something was to happen I would be glad to come to Texas.
 Cheryl faxed the contract to the fighter and later on that day received a return fax that stated that due to not having a reliable vehicle that they would not be able to take the fight but thank you for the offer.
 I call Cory Schafer Monday, October 3. He says that he will call and see about getting my a plane ticket out to Texas to be an alternate in the WCL. He calls back and says that it is a go. The ticket is approved and he would get my medicals for the Texas State Athletic Commission scheduled for Wednesday when I flew in and that I should receive a call from the travel agency later on that day to book my flight.
 The next day I still had not gotten a call from the travel agency so I called Mr. Schafer. He was in the airport ready to board his plane to Texas but told me to call a contact in Texas about my ticket. I did and they called the travel agency. Within an hour the travel agency called my and gave me the flight time out of Greensboro. We picked the flights and I was told that the itinerary would be emailed by 5pm est.
 I went to my chiropractor's office and to get a hair cut. (my pre fight ritual) I was getting out of my car to walk inside when my cell rings and the lady tells me that once again I will not be going to Texas. I told her what had transpired over the last couple of weeks. She apologized and said I would be on the next one for sure. Everyone in this whole story has been really nice and worked really hard for me to fight. Sometimes things just don't work out.
 Another subplot to the whole story is that since the Dan Lucas fight had been cancelled for Sept 16th Cheryl Nance was working to bring the fight to Greensboro on November the 12th. But Dan did not receive full medical clearance until Oct 2nd.  Cheryl contacted Tommy Battone, Lucas' manager and found out that Dan would not be cleared to fight and had to have surgery on his elbow. The cloud has a sliver lining. I don't want to talk about it until things are closer to finalized. So, basically this is so people know the story and maybe get a little laugh and see how kickboxing works sometimes.

 

 

DALLAS / OCTOBER 8TH EVENT  LINE UP / CONTEST #1

 

HOUSTON ENFORCERS   vs.                             LOS ANGELES STARS

 

NATE BAGBY                                   155 lbs             “BAD” BEN BROTHERTON         152 lbs         152-155

Full Contact Kickboxing Regional Champion     Full Contact Sport Ju Jitsu National Champion 

Dallas, TX                                                                    Jacksonville, FL ATA                                                  

469 288 0655                                                              904 620 9884

 

JASON TANKSON-BOURELLY    160 lbs             CRAIG “THE HAMMER” OXLY 160 lbs        160-163

Five Time Continuous Sparring World Champion          33 Fight veteran in six disciplines

Bensalem, PA                                                               Jacksonville, FL ATA

215 702 7533                                                              904 629 3283                                                                         

 

PEYTON “THE ARTIST” RUSSELL 175 lbs         RYAN “THE LION” MADIGAN    172 lbs        172-175

37-6 full contact kickboxing                                          26-4 Full Contact /  Muay Thai Kickboxer

Simpsonville, SC                                                          Cuyahoga Falls, OH

612 239 2955                                                              330 928 5495

 

STEPHEN THOMPSON                  186 lbs             JAMES DÉCOR                               186 lbs         185-188  

Undefeated World Rated Kickboxer 38-0                    2003 World Continuous Contact Fighting Champion

Simpsonville, SC                                                          Cleveland, OH

864 505 5550                                                              216 856 1010

 

KEVIN ‘HURRICANE” HUDSON  195 lbs            CARLOS TEARNY                           195 lbs         194-198

Former 2 Time World Champion Kickboxer                 Eight Time Sport Karate Fighter World Champion

Lyman, SC                                                                   Syracuse, NY

864 905 5425                                                              315 468 1925

 

DAN “SON OF A PREACHER MAN” ERICKSON              220 lbs           DEREK PANZA                                218  lbs        215-225

30-2 Full Contact Kickboxer                                        Current World Full Contact Kickboxing Champion

Stone Lake, WI                                                            Glenn Cove, New York

715 865 9730                                                              516 669 2000

 

KORNELIJA “THE LIONESS” NUMIC  132 lbs          ANGIE “MINGO WARRIOR” WOOLUM  129 lbs     128-132 

Two Time National Kickboxing Champions                  World Champion Full Contact Sport Ju Jitsu                

Fort Meyers, FL                                                           Nitro, WV  ATA                                                         

469 644 0177                                                              304 421 6644

 

COACH: RAY THOMPSON  864 505 4237         COACH: JOHN MORRISON   954-234-0367 

COACH: RICHARD PLOWDEN    313 671 6195              COACH: DANIEL GIMENEZ    904 285 4031

 

DALLAS / OCTOBER 8TH EVENT LINE UP / CONTEST #2

 

DALLAS DRAGONS             VS.      OKLAHOMA CITY DESTROYERS

 

ANGEL HUERTA                             140 lbs             ASKIA ALLISON                             140 lbs           140-145

National Contact Karate Champion                              World Sport Karate Champion

Houston, TX                                                                Detroit, MI

713 927 5645                                                              248 819 6090

 

HIRO “KAMIKAZI” KAMIKIZONO   160 lbs             THOMAS “THUNDER KICK” LONGACRE 160 lbs   159-162

Undefeated Kickboxer / 7-3 MMA                              17-1 Kickboxer  

Dallas, TX                                                                    Oklahoma (Dale Cook)

214 876 6224                                                              918 627 7070

                                                                       

FREDDIE POOLE                            165 lbs             SHANNON “THE CANNON” HUDSON            162 lbs        162-165

2004 Continuous Fighting World Champion                  National Kickboxing Champion           

Dallas, TX                                                                    Greer, SC

214 274 4150                                                              864 905 4499

 

RAYMOND DANIELS                    178 lbs             LEMONT DAVIS                             175 lbs        175-178

Four Time Sport Karate Fighting World Champion       Professional Veteran of 65 bouts in four disciplines

Shamrock, CA                                                             Greenville, NC

714 317 6087                                                              252 355 4528

 

PETE “ THE SECRET WEAPON” SPRATT 179 lbs           OLANDO “THE WARRIOR” RIVERA  179 lbs       175-179

U.S. Kickboxing Champion / MMA Fighter                  Current World Full Contact Champion

Sherman, TX                                                                St. Petersburg, FL

972 948 3555                                                              813 383 8632

 

EDWARD BURRIS                          260 lbs             TOBY “TNT” TILLMAN                     255 lb        unlimited

21-0 Kickboxer                                                           17-0-1 Kickboxer

Syracuse, NY                                                               Dale Cook / Oklahoma

315 952 3886                                                              918 627 7070

 

ANGELA “THE BOMB” HAYES           125 lbs             JERI SITZES                                     124lbs         123-128

28 – 3 Kickboxer                                                         13-1 Kickboxer 2nd degree Black Belt 

Colorado Springs, CO                                                  Dale Cook / Oklahoma

719 337 1648                                                              918 627 7070

 

COACH: GUY MEZGER 214 616 0022                  COACH: DALE COOK 918-694-6349

COACH: TROY DORSEY   214 957 5062              COACH: MIKE EGAN 918 851 1430 

 

 

MONTREAL
MONTREAL
 

The first edition of Kombat in the Carolinas went over very exceptionally well with a blend of boxing and kickboxing bouts. Cheryl Nance promotions hit a milestone with the existing attendance record being broken. Usually the events are straight pro boxing cards and occasionally mixed with amateur kickboxing and boxing. With the edition of the pro kick boxers the card attendance was huge. The evening started with four KICK international amateur kickboxing. I was in the dressing room and did not have the chance to see the fights I can only report the TeamCopeland fighters.
Winner"s Column                                                                                                                                  
Nick Barr Jonathan "Road House" Riffey 2-3/2
Mike "The Animal" Harris  13-11-2/5, teamCopeland Tommy Dunnaway,  2-0 ,Team Burns



4 Rounds Pro Boxing
 
Derrick Agbo , Greensboro , NC Akash Garg, Spartanburg, SC
"Irish" Mike Sandlin, Greensboro, NC Robert Gannaway, Wilson, NC
Augustin Morales-Velez, Raleigh ,NC Carlos Felipe Reyes, Lumberton ,NC
Percy Clay, Greensboro, NC Mike Lavender Wilson, NC
Edson Aguirre-Ortiz, Greensboro, NC Dave Saunders , Cincinnati , OH
Jon "The Sledgehammer" Haggler James Sealey , Atlanta Ga


8 Rounds Pro Kickboxing
 

Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson, Simpsonville, SC John Zuccala , Wolverhampton , England

8 Rounds Pro Boxing
 

Mayhem Matthew Strode, Greensboro, NC Shawn Simmons,   Kirksey , KY

K.I.C.K. WORLD TILE
10 ROUNDS
 

Ronnie "The Kid" Copeland, High Point, NC John Fleming, Glasgow, Scotland

Cheryl Nance would like to thank all of the fighters from all over for all of their efforts in making one of the best shows yet!                                                                         
 


 

  


 



Sportsman Stephen Thompson making sure his opponent is alright

Baric, Promoter Joe Odman, and Wonderboy Thompson


  MONTREAL

KICKBOXING

  This past Saturday, July 2nd was the day after Canada Day and the day before Independence day for the United States. Both countries had lots of fireworks and so did The Wonderboy at LES GUERRIERS DU KICK-BOXING at Rue 1170 St. Denis, Montreal Quebec.  Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson of South Carolina, USA faced Walter Baric of Canada. Baric had called repeatedly and asked to fight Thompson. So The Wonderboy's Canadian promoter Vic Theriault made the fight happen. In the first round Stephens started out like he does in every fight slamming a  hard round kick. Baric blocked the kick but was almost knocked off his feet by the left round kick to his arm. After that kick Baric's facial expression changed from a look of confidence to a look of "Wow what did I get myself into".
 Baric regained his composure and started coming at Wonderboy with a wild combination of punches and kicks. He finished this combo with an overhand right thrown with bad intentions. The bad thing for Baric was that none of the techniques even made contact and the final right hand that Baric threw missed so badly that he fell to the canvas. Stephen remained composed circling the ring landing techniques as Baric came forward and visible rocking Baric a couple of times with just the jab. Finally Stephen went in for the kill and exploded forward with a barrage of punched landing a clean right hand to Baric's jaw and putting Baric down for more than the count. Baric was out cold for at least ten minutes. Congratulations to Baric for stepping up to the challenge and giving it all he had.  Stephen's professional kickboxing record improves to 5-0. After the fight I heard rumors around the stadium of another Canadian fighter who wanted to test the Wonderboy. So I think he will return to Canada soon. It is amazing to see how Stephen gets mobbed after his fights there even more than the local fighters.

 

 


                                         


Ronnie Copeland and I.S.K.A. and U.S.K.B.A. World Champion Angelo Dibella


Benny Bernetti and Ronnie Copeland


Stacy and Ronnie at the Montreal Cathedral
The pictures above are of some of the sites that we went o see while in Montreal. My wife and I would like to thank our host Mr. Angelo Dibella for a fist class experience in Montreal. I also would like to thank Mr. Benny Bernetti for showing us such a great time.

MISSING ?

In my recent reports on the IKF Central Region tournament I left out one of the important players that made the event go off as smoothly as it did . The man I left out totally by accident was Kuhn Fred Fitzgerald. Mr. Fitzgerald did all of the Muay Thai bouts and most of the Internantional Rules bouts and did a great job. Mr. Fitzgerald has total command of the ring at all times without drawing the attention away from the fighters. I am sorry for leaving him out and I have listed below a write up borrowed from the www.ikfkickboxing.com with some more info on Fred Fitzgerald.

 

WHO Is Khun Fred Fitzgerald?

Biographical Information for Kuhn Fred Fitzgerald

Kuhn Fred Fitzgerald's first ring sport was American boxing where he had 32 amateur bouts with a record of 32 wins and no losses. He went on to try other martial arts, but they did not have what he was looking for. He had seen a tape of MuayThai and thought it was incredible, so in the early 80s he went to Thailand. MuayThai looked so simple and basic to him, but the more he learned, the more complicated and effective it became. He spent a lot of time in Bangkok in the 80s, and met and married his wife in Thailand. In the early 90s he was invited to Bangkok by some of the people he had become friendly with. They knew that MuayThai was becoming popular Internationally, and asked if he would represent Thailand, and make sure the proper rules and regulations were taught to as many people as he could contact. They also started training him to be a MuayThai referee.

Since he started refereeing, he has refereed close to a 1000 fights, in five countries, China, Aruba, England, USA and Thailand. He has refereed at the SEA Games, Asian Sports Festival, two King's Cups, the Prince's Cup and the IFMA CUP. He has refereed world championship professional fights in Bangkok, and refereed the first professional woman's fight in Thailand at Rangsit stadium. He has refereed on live television in Thailand, China, and the USA on ESPN and MSG TV. He is the only American to be certified by the World MuayThai Council to referee pro fights in Bangkok. His final referee test was given by Major General Weeravt Hirunyalekha, the head of all professional referees in Bangkok, and overseen by General Vorayudh Mesommonta, the President of the World MuayThai Council. General Vorayudh has also certified Mr. Fitzgerald to hold seminars world wide, on MuayThai judging and refereeing.

 

TeamCopeland does well at the IKF Central Regional
 

The 2005 IKF Central Region Tournament was awesome. The fights were and all day affair with 85 registered fighters and 10 exhibitions. Everything is kind of a blur of punches and kicks. Teamcopeland represent itself well. Tim Carter after his surgery could not help the team in the ring but did help his team mates by gloving and warming them up. Hopefully Tim will be recovered in time for the North American Tournament in Orlando. The guys from Team Copeland were as follows. Mike "The Animal" Harris, Jonathan "Road House" Riffey, Jeremy Rodriguez, Ron Hilton,  Tom Clough, Carlos "Dirty Sanchez" Torres and Kevin "The Sasquatch" Corron.  Tim "Timmah" Carter and Janusz Waclavek were both injured and could not compete.
 Mike Harris put on a show for the crowd. Chris Bergstrom posted on the IKF message board "My pick for fighter of the Tournament, Mike Harris. NO DOUBT! I didn't get a chance to tell you that Mike, but I enjoyed your night match. I've seen you work before when I was in Steve Mann's corner for ya'lls last 2 match ups, but this time... something was different. Some said it was because of your opponent, but he wasn't a push over by any means, you just put on a "fighters clinic" and it was a pleasure to watch. Offense, Defense, combos, counters, hands & legs, setting up traps, working from angles... it was all there in that fight. Whatever you have been doing, keep doing it! Mad Props Ronnie, Mike looked great and so did the rest of your squad." And that pretty much sums it up for my too! Mike is coming into his own all of the things that we have been working on are starting to gel now. Mike advances to the North American tournament with a #1 seed. Look out Orlando!
 Jonathan Riffey came out like a bull in a china shop knocking out his opponent early in the first round. John's technique is improving. Keep the MEAN and add some technique and he is going a long way in the sport. And Jonathan also comes away with a #1 seed for the NAC!
 Jeremy Rodriguez had his first fight in the tournament. Jeremy easily won the first round. But in the second only through one kick and losing the round because of it. In the third Jeremy kicked well but was out of gas. So Jeremy ended up losing a decision. We know what to work on now KICKING and CONDITIONING. We will see a new Jeremy at the NAC and hopefully bring home a belt.
 Ron Hilton showed up ready to get it on. Unfortunately he did not have and opponent. So Ron in a walkover #1 for the NAC.
 Tom Clough was the suprice of the tournament. I knew he had good technique but I had no idea of the cannon he was packing for a right hand. Tom come into the ring against a fighter from Team Manuel. A camp that is know for it's kicking ability. These guys went at it toe to toe for 3 rounds. It was pretty much tit for tat but I think what won it for Tom was that cannon of a right hand that snapped his opponents head back during some key points in the fight..
 In Tom's final fight he fought one of Craig Smith's fighters. The guy was a lot taller than Tom and looked to be more experienced. Tom hung in there in a tough fight but lost a unanimous decision at the end of three. Tom advances to the NAC as a #2 seed.
 Dirty Sanchez came in a against a shorter fighter with a lot of "POP" in his techniques. Carlos used his long reach sticking the jab and his kicks. At the end of three Carlos won a unanimous decision securing a #1 seed in the NAC.
 Kevin Corron who has been plaque with injuries finally got back to the ring. And Kevin was ready he has dropped from 270lbs to 228lbs. Kevin only had to fight once and it was with tough and experienced Rafael Bayona. Kevin came out and fought a strong first round but in my opinion not still not doing enough to win. Going into the second Kevin cam out going after Bayona in effort to take back the lead. Kevin dropped his left hand on the inside and got hit with an overhand right behind the ear. Kevin went down and Bayona wins by second round knock out. Kevin fought a hard fight but just got caught with a good shot. It is Kevin's goal to come on down to cruiserweight. So look out.
 The guys did great and I am proud of them. They make me look good!

 

The Central Region Breaking Records
Promoters Craig Smith, Clark Walters, and Frank Cucci did an excellent job with this years central tournament. It was a long action packed day of kickboxing. The official numbers are not in yet but it looks as if the record has been broken for the number of fighters that attended the regional. The record that stood until June 18th was set at last years central regional promoted by Craig Smith and Tommy Poey. For years this region has been a hotbed for kickboxing action going back to the 80's with promoters like John Ormsby and Bill McDonald. And the fighters from the region like Curtis "The Explosive Thin Man" Bush, Dale "Sunshine" Frye, Demitrius "Oak Tree" Edwards, Jeff "DC Bomber" Smith, Curtis "Cowboy" Crandell, Ronnie Waver, Willie Lopez, and the names go on and on. After the great depression of kickboxing ( the 90's ) things are making a turn around. The fights were great form the beginner to the experienced fighters. Traditionally the area has been known for it great full contact rules fighters. This past weekend I saw some awesome international rules action. Frank Cucci is the man to thank for that. Like I stated earlier it was a long day that has somewhat blurred in my mind. Clark Walters is sending the official results to me. I will post a story here as soon as I receive the information and will also send a story for Steve Fossum to post on the IKF newspage. Congratulations to all of the warriors!

Orlando Trip Fundraiser
Teamcopeland is working to raise money to offset the travel costs for the trip to Orlando for the IKF North American Tournament. We are not doing a bake sale or selling Krispy Kreme donuts door to door. But we are cutting the prices in our fight video section. Instead of the normal price of $8 per fight we will now in a effort to raise money give you 10 fights to one video for $25. This price includes shipping. Interest? Go to www.teamcopeland.net/orlando.htm  See you at the NAC!

IKF Central Region News
Ther are only a few rooms left so act now. Call the Savannh Suites and make your reservation. 
Savannah Suite
1049 Tintern St.
Chesapeake, VA
(757)-819-4001
 (approx. 3 miles from fights) rates are $79.99 + tax mention the kickboxing when making reservation.

Tim, Ronnie , Spencer Tart and Dale Frye


Carter Pulls Out Due to Injury

    TIM CARTER PULLS OUT OF THE IKF REGIONAL TOURNAMENT DUE TO INJURY SUSTAINED IN HIS FIGHT IN THE FINALS OF THE KICK UNITED STATES TOURNAMENT AGAINST CHARLES"THE WOLVERINE"BAINES. IN THE FIGHT TIM SLIPPED AND LANDED ON HIS ELBOW HURTING HIS SHOULDER. AFTER VISITING THE DOCTOR TIM FOUND THAT HE HAD MULTIPLE TEARS TO HIS ROTATOR CUP AND PART OF THE TENDON WAS ACTUALLY WEDGED BETWEEN THE BONE. TIM HAS COMPLETED SURGERY AND STARTS HI REHAB IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. SINE THE INJURY TIM HAS STILL COME TO THE GYM TO STRETCH AND CHEER ON HIS TEAM MATES.

UPDATETHE IKF TOURNAMENT LOCATION HAS CHANGED

Due to scheduling conflict with the Shriners. the location of the IKF Central Region Tournament has been changed. It will now be held at:
 BLACKHAWK KARATE AND KICKBOXING
234 BATTLEFIELD BLVD N
CHESAPEAKE VA 23320
757-548-9550
Contact Craig Smith for details @ kickingboxing@aol.com


TEAMCOPELAND RESULTS
KICK U.S. INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
 

The warriors who represented the team in the tournament were Ron Hilton, Mike Harris, Tim Carter, Carlos Sanchez, and Jonathan Riffey. My hat is off to each and every one of them for a great performance. It was a long night I will give you a run down on each fighter in no particular order.
    Thirty nine year old, 6 feet 7 inch, 276lb Ron Hilton came to the gym two weeks ago and said that he wanted to fight. Ron had fought in the U.S.J.J.A. ( United States Ju Jitsu Association) but had never had a kickboxing match before. For those who aren't familiar with the U.S.J.J.A. it is continuous light contact stand up with take down, grappling and limited light contact striking to the body on the ground with submissions. Ron trained like and animal from the first day showing a lot of  heart. Two weeks later after training for kickboxing just two weeks Ron entered the KICK Tournament. Keep in mind that two weeks of training he trained for full contact rules. At the weigh in on the morning of the event we found out that we did not have anyone in the FCR division who was big enough for him to fight. The only options he had was to not fight or to go to International rules. Ron told me that he wanted to fight leg kicks didn't bother him. So into the low kick division he went. The first fight Ron he won by a unanimous decision. The guy he was supposed to fight in his second fight backed out due to injury so Ron advanced to the championship bout. This fighter was well school and brought the fight to Ron in the first round winning on all three judges score cards. Ron came out the second round an put on the pressure until the exhausted fighter went down from a right hand and could not get up. Ron Hilton two weeks into his kickboxing career was the KICK U.S. Champ! The funny thing is he didn't know it. I forgot to tell Ron that his second fighter pulled out so he thought it was an elimination bout. When the fight was through Ron cam over to me an said " I will be one of the champions today!" I said " you already are!  That was the championship bout." Ron took off across the ring yelling looking for his belt. Congratulations to the CHAMP!
 Mike Harris was another fighter who ended up with nobody in the FCR division to fight. Mike loves to fight so he went to the International rules division. Mike got a by the first round. In Mike's first fight his boxing skill showed he worked some good combinations and landed some BIG right hands busting the other fighters nose. With about 15 seconds left in round one referee Dale "Sunshine" Frye gave Mike's opponent a standing 8. Dale saw the blood and had the doctor check him out. The doctor said that the blood was to much so Mr. Harris advance with a first round TKO victory in his first international rules bout. Mike fought a STRONG fighter in the final from Cooper's boxing gym. The first two rounds went the same with Mike and his opponent both landing big shots but Mike just couldn't back him up. Going into the third we knew that Mike was behind on the score cards so we knew he needed to put the guy to sleep. Mike got his second wind and went on the guys landing bombs and had the fighter hurt twice in the round but couldn't put him away. So Mike lost two rounds to one. Still a great effort from a fighter who had never fought leg kicks before.
 Tim Carter has been training now for 2 months. He has a tae kwon do background and came to the gym with good kicks. In the gym we mainly worked on his boxing skill and improved his kicking style. In a tournament you don't get to chose your opponent it comes down to the luck of  the draw. Tim drew one of the toughest fighters at the tournament IKF #7 world ranked amateur Spencer Tart. Spencer is know for being tough as nails and having good boxing skill. Tim has good kicks but his hands are developing. I told Tim before the fight kick,  move, jab and if he gets in hold him. Tim worked his game and stayed out of harms way for the most part throughout the fight only getting to close a couple of times. At the end of three the judges picked Tim as the winner by landing clean effective kicks. Tim then advanced to the quarter finals against IKF #5 ranked Charles Baines. Right out of the gate Charles caught Tim with a left hook dropping him to the canvas. Tim made it up on 7 and continued. Shortly after Baines caught Tim with a right hand sitting him down again. At that point I threw in the towel. Their was no sense in hurting Tim's great start with and injury.
 Carlos Sanchez is an excellent athlete who has done a lot of college wrestling. He also trained in Kung Fu under my instructor Master Thanh Tran when he was a boy. Carlos like the others came into the fight with only a couple of weeks training but was winning his fight. In the third his opponent threw a spinning back kick and Carlos caught his leg and slammed him to the mat. Carlos was disqualified by referee Dale Frye. Carlos is sorry for his mistake and will be back June 18th for the IKF Regional in Va Beach with a new out look. 
 Jonathan Riffey also has only been training a couple of months but like the others came in and fought his heart out. John's first fight was a slug fest from the opening bell with John's going down once in the first round but getting up and fighting hard but losing a decision. KICK like USA Boxing has a rule that you cannot have facial hair other that a neatly groomed mustache. John's opponent had a jaw line beard that got by the officials until he pulled his headgear off at the end of the fight. At that point KICK told him to shave or he would not be able to advance. He refused to shave so KICK official Cheryl Nance came to us and asked if John would like to fight again. John of course said yes! His next fight was against  newcomer Chris Roberts from Walnut Cove, NC. Roberts got the by in the first round and was the freshest between the two men. Chris came out and hurt John early in the first knocking him down. John survived the round. Between the 1st and 2nd I told John he is going to come hard and try to finish you. Just stay planted and hit him with the straight left as he comes in. Chris did as I predicted came hard and knocked John down to the canvas. John showed a big heart from their got up and dropped Roberts to the canvas as he came in wildly to finish John. Chris got up but John wildly jumped on Chris knocking him down again. Chris tried to get up but could not continue. John won his second fight ever by K.O. This advanced John to the finals against Charles "The Wolverine" Baines. John came into the fight really tired and Charles' experience level was light years ahead of John's. At the end of the first I stopped the fight to avoid any injuries. Charles Baines was the KICK U.S. Tournament Champion and John had the experience to take back to the gym to improve.

 
 

KICKBOXING COMES BACK TO GREENSBORO
Kick International is having three major tournaments this year in an effort to provide more opportunities for amateur kick-boxers in the North American continent. The first is the United States Invitational Championships promoted by Cheryl Nance in Greensboro, North Carolina. The second is the Pan-American Invitational Championships promoted by Tommy Alcozer Sr. in Plainview, Texas. And the last is the World Invitational Championships in Rockford Illinois October 20-23.
Which brings my back to the point KICKBOXING COMES BACK TO GREENSBORO. This will be the first major kickboxing event in North Carolina since 2003. The tournament will consist of two rules styles. international rules and full contact rules. Since it is the first year of the tournament we all hope to see a great turn out.
One thing that is for sure TeamCopeland will be there ready to make it happen. The guys who will be fighting of course are Mike "The Animal" Harris, and first time fighters Jonathan Riffey, Ron Hilton, Carlos Sanchez and Tim"TIMMAH!"Carter. Another fighter from THE GYM is Former student  of Brian Crenshaw, John Braxton.
Also from the areas surrounding Greensboro we have Master Sum's and Clayton Roberts' Muay Thai camps. Shannon"The Cannon"Hudson will be fighting along with other fighters from the Team Hurricane camp. Terri Hicks from Georgia will be fighting. We look forward to seeing you all at the fights.  

      WORLD CHAMPION, DUNCAN ARLIE JAMES COMES TO NORTH CAROLINA                           
 THAI KICKBOXING/FREEBOXING SEMINAR

Date:            April 2, 2005

Time:           9:00 a.m. thru 12:30 p.m.

Cost            $40.00 per person

 

Location:     Fighting Arts & Training Center in Walnut Cove, NC approx. 25 min. North of Winston-Salem, NC.

 

Please contact Clayton Roberts at 336-591-3400 or 336-382-9593 for registration information.  Registration forms and directions to the school can be faxed, mailed,

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(R) DUNCAN ARLIE JAMES

HARRIS WINS LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT IKF EAST COAST CLASSIC TITLE

 Virginia Beach , Virginia has been a hotbed for kickboxing action since the early 80's. Mike Harris of Team Copeland has had more fights in Va. Beach than anywhere else. Mike has been know in the area has a tuff as nails brawler but this time showed the crowd something else! SKILLS ! Because of his experience level and an uneven number of fighters in the division Mike was given a by  in the first round of the tournament. The first opponent that Mike faced was Ian Alexander who is trained by reality combat instructor and navy seal  Frank Cucci .  In Ian's first match he really punished his opponent with hard punches and explosive thai kicks. Ronnie Copeland is quoted saying "Ian is a very technically sound and powerful fighter. I was a little nervous for Mike since he had moved up from middle weight to light heavyweight to make sure he had a match in the tournament. "   The concern was not warranted Mike showed his experience level and stepped up to the next level and easily won the fight by unanimous decision. Mike's  footwork and boxing skill gave Ian trouble. Mike didn't let Ian get set and avoided those power techniques for the most part.
In the finals Mike met Jason McSparren of Team Smith. Jason is a talented developing fighter but could not match the experience of Mike. Winner in the second round after a beautiful rear leg round kick was Mike "The Animal" Harris. Mike record improves to 10-9-2/3 as he looks ahead to the KICK U.S. Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina on April, 23.  

IKF EAST COAST CLASSIC IS A HUGE SUCCESS

Clark Walters and Craig Smith's partnership on the promotion paid off. I have personally been to several Craig Smith promotions and also several Clark Walters promotions and this was the best that I have seen out of either promoter. Obviously they complement  each other. The exact  number of fighters that participated, number of spectators and the winners of each weight division are still being worked out. But Craig Smith said " This is the best event that I have ever done! We estimated that over one hundred fighters competed and throughout the day over 1200 spectators came through. the venue."   The fights were great from the beginner to the advanced. We all look forward to the IKF Regionals 6/12/05 as well as the other fights these guys decide to promote.