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Welcome to our last Camp News for the year 2001. Much has happened this year, with some of the worst lows I have known in my life, as well as the realisation of a dream of many years for both myself and one of our Boxers.
We are also very happy to have welcomed two special guests to the Camp in December. Ajarn Sutchart, owner and head trainer of Siam #1 Muay Thai Club in Toronto, Canada, was back visiting his hometown and family and training with us in preparation for a "no gloves" Burmese fight on the 28th Dec. He was also on hand to see two of his students from Canada, Clifton Brown and Alex Ricci fight, see reports later. Also visiting was Mike and Louise Duffy, of Knuckles Muay Thai, Oldham, UK., taking their annual holiday in Chiangmai and watching over the training of one of their lads, Gareth Brady, who fights later in the month. Mike was responsible for giving both Den and Doi the opportunity to visit and teach in the UK earlier this year and Doi has been returning the hospitality Mike and Louise showed him on his stay in Oldham.
After the last report most of November was quiet until the 30th when Solam and Zeq, from Argentina, both fought at Gawilla Stadium in Chiangmai. It was a tough night for both fighters as Zeq lost in five, as did Solam. Zeq was full of nervous enegry and burned himself out before the end but still gave a great fight and, although losing the decision, came out unhurt and wanting another fight soon! Check out the second fight of Zeqs' later in this report. Solam took on a tough fighter from Bangkok and was given a hard lesson, but to his credit went the full distance and came away if not happy at least knowing he can go the distance with the best!
The next fight was on the 5th December, when both myself and Kem, one of the original lads who started with us at Lanna/Kiat Busaba Camp eight years ago, saw the realisation of a dream we had had for many years, to have a fighter fight, and to fight on the Kings Birthday! Kems fight was the only televised five rounder (the other televised fights being three rounders, part of a round robin competition) and he was up against Toto, a very tough fighter from France. The fight was dominated by Kem from the start with the French fighter seemimgly unable to reply to Kems powerful kicks and punches. Asked after the fight why he did not KO his opponent after dominanting the fight so completely Kem said that Toto was very strong and try as he might, and he was trying hard, Kem could not knock him out! This fight was proof to both Kem and myself that all the hard work and dedication, and belief in what we are doing, was worth the wait. I hope Kem will be the first of many of our lads who will have the honour to fight on the Kings Birthday.
The next fight was on the night after Kems win in Bangkok. This time we were fighting in the countryside with Gat going for his fourth fight, he won by KO in the third with a lovely knee to the solar plexus, showing that his hard work with Supot, one of our trainers, is begining to pay off.
On the following evening, 7th Dec, at Gawilla Stadium in Chiangmai, Eddie DeNobrega, in his 13th fight, went up against a tough southpaw fighter from Bangkok and lost in the third to a beautiful high kick to the temple. Though Eddie was back on his feet just in time, the referee erred on the side of caution and stopped the fight. A hard way to learn a lesson but Eddie will be carrying his guard that bit higher from now on!!!
Two days later we travelled to Lampang, about 100 km. south of Chiangmai, with three lads, Zeq, from Argentina, going for his second fight, Wang, from China, in his first Muay Thai fight, and Alex Ricci from Canada, having his first fight in Thailand. Zeq was first up and fought a much improved and more relaxed fight than his first one, and though he lost the decision, to the hometown boy, it was a fifty fifty fight and could have gone either way with both fighters showing great heart. Wang also lost in five, but he too show great fighting spirit and had some flashs of brillance, his Kung Fu training showing through, and with some more training we are looking forward to big things from Wang. Alex was last up and he too lost in five rounds but showed that he has all the tools needed to compete here in Thailand and just needs to relax and believe in his ability. Again check out Alexs' second fight later in this report.
After Lampang, we had a couple of weeks of concentrating on training before fights on the 22nd in Gawilla and the 24th on the island of Koh Samui. Solam was up again on the 22nd and Gareth Brady, from Knuckles Muay Thai in Oldham, was taking on a local Chiangmai lad on the same night. Gareth fought a good technical fight over five rounds and was unlucky to lose the desicion to small but tough opponent. Gareth will have a chance to atone for the lose later in January when he will have a rematch. Solam finally broke his losing streak of five fights, winning this one with a hard fought five round decision. He was given inspiration for the fight with news that he may be heading to England next year!
Koh Samui was next up and we went down with four fighters, Roman Rounkle, from Spain, Kimberely Tomes, from New York, and Eddie De Nobrega and Clifton Brown, from Canada, for fights at a World Muay Thai Council Championship Promotion on Christmas Eve. Arriving on the island on the 21st allowed us to have a couple of training sessions at Stephan Foxes WMC Muay Thai Camp at Lamai Beach and a couple of days "playing in the waves". Koh Samui was the first place I learned Muay Thai eleven years ago, and though parts of the island had changed beyond recgonition it was good to visit again after all these years and to have a couple of days relaxing by the ocean. On the fight night Roman was first up and also having his first fight. After six weeks of hard training Roman fought a full five rounds against a local Koh Samui fighter who though less fit was much more experienced. Roman lost a close desicion of a tough fight. Next up was Kimberely, in her third fight going up against a local Thai girl who was having her first fight. Both fighters were well trained but from the start Kimberely held the advantage with some sharp punching and solid knees. In the third round Kimberely delivered a powerful knee to the stomach and was given the fight. Eddie was up next, fighting one of Koh Samuis' best fighters. Eddie lost the first two rounds but came back in the third and fourth but ultimately did not have enough left in the final round and lost on points. Last up for us was Clifton Brown, fighting another of Koh Samuis' best fighters. From the start Clifton was relaxed and flowing, hitting the target with almost every kick and punch thrown. In the second round after some hard exchanges, with elbows flying, Clifton let go a perfect uppercut, straight combination for a great KO. The final fight for the evening was a Championship bout between Fisal of Sudan, the holder of the WMC Super Middleweight Belt and challenger Paul Solinski of Australia. Paul Solinski won the title with a good example of hard hitting Muay Thai and rounded off an excellent evening of Muay Thai.
The following day the fighters stayed on the island nursing their bruises and enjoying Christmas Day on the beach, and I was home in time for Christmas dinner at the Camp, two big turkeys and all the trimmings was enjoyed by everyone at the Camp.
On the 28th we had a special fight night with Ajarn Sutchart and his student Alex Ricci both fighting at Gawilla Stadium. Ajarn Sutchart took on a very tough Burmese fighter in a "No Gloves" contest. The first round exploded from the bell, barefists were flying, some very hard hits being landed by both fighters. The Burmese fighter landed the first real telling blow on the chin of Ajarn Sutchart, resulting in an eight count, from which Sutchart recovered to finish the round. In the second more of the same explosive action from both fighters before Ajarn Sutchart was caught by a second punch and though he was quickly on his feet the referee, once again, erred on the side of caution and stopped the fight. Though only two rounds, the fight had raised the crowd from its seats for every second, with many hearts in mouth! Alex was the final fight of the evening and he gave his trainer and teacher, Ajarn Sutchart, a perfect answer to his loss, by winning by KO knee in the third round of a very good fight where Alex showed much improvement over his first fight earlier in the month. Alex will be staying with us over the next 6 mionths and we are looking forward to seeing more of him in the ring.
The final fights for 2001 happened on the following night in a small town, Sangkangpang, just outside Chiangmai. We travelled with two of our young Thai lads and after a long night of 18 prior fights, JR, one of our fifteen year olds, finally had his turn when he fought out a tough five round battle, winning a good decision. The best was saved for last with Jin, at thirteen and only his fourth fight, showed once again his battling heart for three rounds before a beautifully placed punch, straight on the chin of his opponent sealed the last fight of the year for us with great a KO win.
Our Overseas report this month comes from Argentina, where Make tells us that the first Argentina Muay Thai Championship Title was born. Though they had many problems with fighters they finally came out with two champions Mike Carpinacci, Middle Heavyweight Champion of Argentina and Hernan Rosenthal, Middleweight Champion of Argentina. We wish them both the best of luck in the future defending their titles and hope the New Year brings more success for Muay Thai in Argentina.
Here in Chiangmai the weather has cooled considerably and the mornings are cold but the training continues as usual with Solam, Boon, who has returned from Bangkok, Sompong, JR, Jin, Gat, Yu, and Manat, along with Carla, Kimberely, Ninna, Gareth, Alex, Lee, and Wang all in training for their next fights. We have many opportunities coming up in 2002 and are looking forward to fights all around the world. Our first fight of 2002 will be Kem, fighting at Rajadamnern, on the 10th January.
In the meantime, from all of us at Lanna/Kiat Busaba Muay Thai Camp, Good luck to everyone in the New Year, both in Muay Thai and in Life. May the New Year bring Peace to everyone.........
Take Care.......Andy
Ajarn Sutchart preparing to fight |
Ajarn Sutchart in action |
 | Jin, Champion in the making? |
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