PRESS RELEASE
February 7, 2005
Provided by Jim Bessman

The World Kickboxing Association's North American Championships were held Feb. 4 at the Great Hall at the Cooper Union in Greenwich Village in New York, with a team of seven American fighters taking on Canadian counterparts.

The event, which was hosted by Manhattan's Five Points Fitness Muay Thai Center and raised money for the Tsunami Relief Fund, also featured three superfights outside of the team competition. Billed as "The Brawl at the Great Hall"-the historic auditorium where President Lincoln once spoke-it also was Five Points' first Muay Thai promotion in a venue other than the smaller Old St. Patrick's Youth Center in Soho, where four "Mayhem On Mulberry Street" shows were successfully staged last year.

Additionally, "The Brawl" marked the second straight year that the U.S. national team, led by WKA USA representative Brian Crenshaw, has challenged the Canadian champions and WKA North American rep Mike Miles to a head-to-head competition for the WKA North American championships. The competitors had been elected to their respective teams after capturing national championships in tournament competition during 2004. The scheduled five two-minute rounds would determine the WKA North American Muay Thai champion in his or her respective weight class.

The evening began with Team USA's Jenny Foster scoring a unanimous decision over Team Canada's Shelley Evans for the North American Featherweight title. Both fighters came out careful in a slow first round that ended with Foster connecting a hard right cross. Foster also picked up a huge egg-shaped bruise on her shin, two inches below her left knee. The second round started with the same tempo, but Foster landed the more powerful punches and had more on them throughout the round. Foster ending the round by nailing Evans with a strong foot jab.

Both corners had to work between rounds, Foster's to reduce the swelling below the knee, Evans' to stop the blood trickling from a small cut on her right leg. The third round commenced at the slow pace of the first, Foster getting in a good right cross and a strong left hook followed by a foot jab. She ably backed away from Evans' punching attack before delivering a strong right followed by another foot jab.

The fourth round again opened slowly, with Foster scoring with a strong foot jab, then going for the legs and dropping her with another foot jab. Evans returned with a determined attack but Foster spun her around and bested her in a corner clinch. The fifth round began with a very hard right from Foster after Evans missed her kicks. Evans just couldn't find the right distance and seemed to be just of her mark. Evans' waist-length single braid was whipped about by Foster's prolonged punching assault, and while Evans' proved she could take a lot, Evans gave her a lot to take.

Next up was Team USA's Steve Radinski and Team Canada's Bryan Campbell for the Middleweight belt. Both fighters immediately clinched after the first bell sounded, with a second long clinch following a Radinski punch. So went the first round.

Round Two began with a hard punching exchange for some 20 seconds before a clinch, followed by more exchange of punching, with Radinski more effective in all departments. But the third round opened with Campbell downing Radinski with leg kicks, then scoring a good round kick to the body. Radinksi came back after a clinch with punches, but both fighters appeared to be hanging on to each other at the end of the round.

The fourth round brought a return to punch-and-clinch, with Radinski landing the most punches. Campbell got in a couple of foot jabs, but Radinski was again more effective in a closing punch exchange. The final round followed a similar pattern, though Campbell administered three straight foot jabs before absorbing Radinski's punches, including a hard left that clearly dazed him. Radinski was rightly awarded a unanimous decision.

The third North American championship fight pitted Tarek Warda of Team USA against Team Canada's Nate Smandych for the Light Welterweight title. Warda was explosive at the start, kicking Smandych into the corner and connecting with a left hook. But the Canadian came back with a hard kick to the legs, setting up a round in which both fighters scored throughout, with Warda the harder puncher.

Both were good, too, in the second round. Warda delivered a spinning back kick, though it did no damage. The both used the clinch effectively with Smandych throwing elbows upon Warda's trapezius-a technique he would apply throughout the fight. Warda would counter these with repeated sweeps from the clinch. In the third found, Warda attempted another spinning back kick but slipped from it; he then caught a lunging Smandych punch and threw him to the canvas. The action, however, was becoming predictable, though Smandych had the better kicks in Round Four prior to the clinch, during which Smandych again hammered away at the shoulder muscles.

The final round saw Smandych scoring with a nice kick after both fighters blocked each others round kicks. Although Warda seemed to be doing the better job of getting in his kicks at the end of the round, the fight was awarded to Smandych by a majority decision.

Team Canada's Raylene Kellock then won the Middleweight crown with a technical knockout in the fourth over Team USA's Stacey Galloway. The first round was close, with both fighters deliberately exchanging kicks and punches and kneeing to the thighs during the clinch. Round Two followed suit, though Kellock was getting the better of it with her knee work and her punch volume. She opened the third round with a left kick to the head, and while Galloway got in a nice thigh kick, Kellock was getting in the stronger punches.

Kellock scored with a hard left round kick to Galloway's face to start Round Four, and Galloway answered with a strong left hook to Kellock's head. Galloway was dropped twice by Kellock punches-before the referee stopped the bout.

In one of the night's biggest crowd-pleasers, Team USA's Omar Ahmed, who successfully defended his his 130-pound U.S. amateur title with a majority decision over Terrance Hill in November at the final "Mayhem on Mulberry Street" event at Old St. Patrick's, easily out pointed Team Canada's Darren Robson. Early first-round action was sporadic and indecisive, same with the beginning of Round Two. But then Ahmed connected with his legs, caught a Robson kick, and then followed a high round kick to the head with a jumping kick that got the crowd going.

The third round found Ahmed countering Robson's attack with punches and high kicks, then a strong right lead. He closed out the round with a foot jab to the chest and a flying knee to Robson's chest that again stoked the crowd.

Round Four again had Ahmed showing off his kicking skills early, finishing by stopping a Robson round kick and scoring with a back kick. The final round also brought a kicking exhibition from Ahmed, including a jumping right round kick to the head, a low-high kick combination, a knee to the midsection followed by a left inside round thigh kick, and then a punch combination followed by a varied kick/knee attack culminated by a standing eight-count for Robson. Ahmed only added to his impressive win with a display of good sportsmanship.

Next came Team USA's Nicole Hess versus Team Canada's Misty Sutherland. Both came out for Round One with strong kicking, but Hess scored with a fancy spinning back kick after an inside wheel kick. Sutherland started connecting with kicks at the start of Round Two but took a hard right cross to the head from Hess, who then dropped her with a strong kick and finished the round with a couple of good leg kicks.

Hess got in a right kick to Sutherland's head to start the third round, though the Canadian remained alert and tried hard to up the pressure. Still, Hess kept beating her to it, and while Sutherland started to look stronger, Hess ended the round with good punching and a strong foot jab. Sutherland did manage to kick Hess's leg out from under her at the start of Round Four, but Hess again got in a hooking high kick, and then toppled over an off-balance opponent at the end of the round.

The final round started with a spinning high kick from Hess. Sutherland scored with a left hand but Hess came back with a round kick to the inside right thigh, then another hook kick to the head and hard punching to Sutherland's face. Hess was then awarded an easy unanimous decision.

The final USA/Canada match had American Chris Romulo, who successfully defended his WKA U.S. Middleweight title against Tom Heavey at September's "Mayhem on Mulberry Street 3" event, taking on Canadian Jason Cutbill for the Middleweight title. Romulo scored well both punching and kicking in the opening round, delivering a pair of punch-kick combinations and sweeping Cutbill's legs out before the bell.

Cutbill missed with a high kick at the start of Round Two, and then took faster and harder thigh and mid kicks from Romulo, who looked more solid in stance and delivery. Cutbill gave as good as he got in the third round as he worked a come back. Cutbill did get in a good right hand lead to the head as he mounted a come back in the round, but Romulo's kicks showed more power. Round four saw both foot jabs and round kicks and good clinch/knee from Cutbill. Romulo's volume of techniques slowed in Round Four appearing to opt for single power shots. Cutbill appeared to take the edge in Round Four.

Both fighters began the final round knowing it was the championship round. Romulo got in a couple hard jabs and threw Cutbill down, and while the action was continuous, Romulo was the sharper one and earned a majority decision.

In addition to the USA/Canada competition, there were the three featured superfights, starting with a three-round prestige bout pitting Five Points' Rima Sidhu, who was so impressive in her easy decision over Bhounpone Chantavong at the November "Mayhem," against World Gym Combat Club's Amy Davis. Both fighters clinched at the start of Round One, then Sidhu scored with a right hand and tried to outmuscle her opponent. But Davis got in a couple good body shots before another clinch and tagged Sidhu with a right on the break. Davis continued to mix it up effectively, but Sidhu got in a hard right to the chin, and after a clinch led with a right to the head.

Davis came out punching in Round Two, though Sidhu got in a good right round kick and appeared the stronger fighter, wrestling Davis to the canvas and finishing with a couple good foot jabs. In the last round she benefited from the home crowd support, sneaking in a right hand at the start. She scored with a round kick and closed the fight with a hard round kick followed with a foot jab, a clinch, a barely missed high kick and two more foot jabs. While she earned a majority decision, Davis acquitted herself well with her quickness against a determined victor.

Veteran Five Points fighter Natalie Fuz scored an easy unanimous decision over Sityodtong USA's Heather Thomas for the Eastern Regional Title. Fuz, who won a majority decision over Colette van de Ham at the September "Mayhem" show, employed her height advantage and appeared relaxed as she came out kicking to Thomas's legs and shrewdly outpointed her throughout the round. She quickly kicked her way into Round Two in stepping up the pace, scoring well with her legs and knees before wrestling her opponent into the ropes after a clinch, then artfully stopping Thomas's knees in another clinch. She continued with steady legwork, mixing in knees to the chest.

A tough competitor, Thomas got in a punch to Fuz's head in the third round, but Fuz came back with a high round kick to the chest, then threw six unanswered right knees in a clinch. Thomas got in another good punch and tied up Fuz, who was again too good in the clinch and then got in two good jabs to set up a kick, climaxing with a high kick to the head at round's end.

Fuz was too fast with her legs in stopping Thomas's charge at the start of Round Four. She also used her left knee to effectively stave off her opponent's attack, calmly administering her own left round kicks to the legs and midsection, plying both the high and low lines in quick succession. She opened with a right hand lead in the final round, and after a good kick from Thomas, came back with punches and knees to close out a dominating performance against a game fighter.

Sit-Dragon Leg's Stephen Strotmeyer contested Extreme Muay Thai's Terrance Hill for the North American Featherweight belt in the final featured bout. Hill attacked furiously at the opening bell, attempting a flying knee after a series of punches, clinching after another punching flurry. Strotmeyer pushed him back, but Hill kicked his opponent's legs out, dropping him again with a punching attack for an eight-count. Now bleeding from a cut on the forehead, Strotmeyer might have been finished by Hill's relentless attack had the bell not sounded.

Hill charged Strotmeyer again as Round Two began, catching Strotmeyer's leg and taking him down. Punches and kicks floored Strotmeyer again for an eight-count. Hill missed a flying punch and clinched, with Strotmeyer doing his best to knee Hill and stay alive; he got in a good round kick after the break, but was now bleeding from the nose as well, causing the medics to monitor him carefully.

Strotmeyer came out kicking hard to start Round Three, but Hill wrestled him out of the ring. Strotmeyer then scored with foot jabs but Hill caught him with punches and both fell. Strotmeyer was dropped in the corner with another punch at the bell. The fourth round began with a hard punch from Hill, who set Strotmeyer up with a round kick and then dropped him for an eight-count with a lunging left hand. Strotmeyer did get in a round kick but was off balance and fell following a punch from Hill, who missed a jumping front kick at the bell.

Buoyed by his loud Extreme followers, Hill went for a knockout in the final round. But Strotmeyer connected with a foot jab before absorbing punches and kicks from Hill. Strotmeyer truly deserved his consolation medal for not only surviving the fight but also nailing a charging Hill with two foot jabs at the bell. But Hill was awarded an easy unanimous decision.

For More Information, Contact Brian Crenshaw, (804) 937-7072 or wkausarep@aol.com.

PRESS RELEASE
January 24, 2005

Thai Boxers Fight For Tsunami Release

A team of amateur national Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) champions from The United States will take on a rival squad from Canada at Manhattan, New York's Cooper Union College on Friday, February 4th. A portion of the profits earned from "Brawl at the Great Hall" will be donated to the Tsunami Relief Fund, a charity created to aid victims of the recent natural disaster that struck parts of Southeast Asia.

Competitors were elected to their respective teams after capturing national championships in tournament competition during 2004. The winners of each Brawl at the Great Hall team competition bout will become the World Kickboxing Association (WKA) North American Muay Thai champion in his or her respective weight class.

Five men's bouts and three women's bouts will fill the card. This marks the second straight year that the United States national team, led by WKA United States (WKA USA) Representative Brian Crenshaw, has challenged the Canadian champions and WKA North American Representative Mike Miles to a head-to-head competition for the WKA North American championships.

Each bout during the team competition will be comprised of five, two-minute rounds. A one minute rest period will be given to competitors between rounds.

The February 4th event will be hosted by Five Points Fitness (www.5pointsfitness.com) and sponsored by Singha Beer. United States team members will be outfitted by combat sports apparel company, Instinct Athletics (www.instinctathletics.com), and all competitors will wear gloves donated by NextMove Gear (www.nextmovegear.com).

Tickets for the Brawl at the Great Hall are priced at $30 and $50, respectively, and can be purchased online by visiting the WKA USA website, www.wkausa.com, or by calling Five Points Fitness Center at 212-226-4474. Venue doors will open at 6:30 PM on the evening of the event and the first bout will begin at 7 PM.

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PRESS RELEASE
January 10, 2005

U.S. Thai Boxing Champions Gear Up For Canadian Rivals in NYC

A team of amateur national Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) champions from The United States will take on a rival squad from Canada at Manhattan, New York's Cooper Union College on Friday, February 4th. Portion of profits earned from "Brawl at the Great Hall" will be donated to the Tsunami Relief Fund, a charity created to aid victims of the recent natural disaster that struck parts of Southeast Asia.

Competitors were elected to their respective teams after capturing national championships in tournament competition during 2004. The winners of each USA vs. Canada bout will become the World Kickboxing Association (WKA) North American Muay Thai champion in his or her respective weight class.

Five men's bouts and three women's bouts will fill the card. The men's matchups are as follows:

Team USA	vs.	Team Canada	Weight Limit	Weight Class
Omar Ahmed		Darren Robson	-60 kg/132 lbs.	Lightweight
Tarek Warda		Nate Smandych	-64 kg/140.8 lbs.	Light Welterweight
Steve Radinski		Bryan Campbell	-71 kg/156.2 lbs.	Light Welterweight
Chris Romulo		Jason Cutbill	-75 kg/165 lbs.	Middleweight
Carlos Zevallos		Trevor Hardy	-91 kg/200.2 lbs.	Heavyweight

The women's matchups are as follows:

Team USA	vs.	Team Canada	Weight Limit	Weight Class
Jenny Foster		Shelly Evans	-54 kg/118 lbs.	Featherweight
Nicole Hess		Misty Sutherland	-57 kg/125.4 lbs.	Lightweight
Stacey Galloway		Raylene Kellock	-66 kg/145.2 lbs.	Middleweight

Additionally, United States amateur lightweight (125.4 lb. limit) Muay Thai champion Stephen Strotmeyer is scheduled to defend his title against top contender Terrance Hill, who put forth what was widely regarded as the effort of the evening during another Manhattan event, "Mayhem on Mulberry 4," on November 19th. The card will also see New York's Natalie Fuz take on Boston, Massachusetts's Sidhu and New York's Christine Reevey face Virginia's Janice Johnson.

This is the second year that the US National Team, led by WKA US Representative Brian Crenshaw, has challenged the Canadian Champions and WKA North American Representative Mike Miles to a head-to-head competition for the WKA North American Titles.

Each bout during the team competition will be comprised of five, two-minute rounds. A one-minute rest period will be given to competitors between rounds.

The February 4th event will be hosted by Five Points Fitness (www.5pointsfitness.com) and sponsored by Singha Beer. United States team members will be outfitted by combat sports apparel company, Instinct Athletics (www.instinctathletics.com) and all competitors will wear gloves donated by NextMove Gear (www.nextmovegear.com).

Tickets for the Brawl at the Great Hall are priced at $30 and $50, respectively, and can be purchased online by visiting the WKA USA website, www.wkausa.com, or by calling Five Points Fitness Center at 212-226-4474. Venue doors will open at 6:30 PM on the evening of the event and the first bout will begin at 7 PM.