Whatever Happened To Old Fashion Hard Work

Today I'm back on my soapbox hoping to inspire some folks to stop looking for short cuts and easy answers to pulling off those neat techniques that you see on TV or at competitions. The secret to the secret is that there are no secrets. There is only hard work. Trying to to find special advantages by taking expensive supplements, doing the latest workout routine (given by a sports conditioning specialist who never played your sport) is ok. But I've found that just good old hard training and practice at whatever it is you are trying to do as the best method of preparation. I not knocking supplemental training. I have notice thought that a lot of folks spend more time doing the supplemental stuff than the sports specific stuff. I will be putting out more of what I think you should do to get in shape and maintain shape over the next several days. So, stay tuned.

Shidokan Pakistan

Shidokan World Karate Association is all over the world. Here's a clip I came accross showing the Pakistan Honbu.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn9iKS2DLb4

Ramon Dekkers Documentary

Ramon Dekkers is one of the most successful western kickboxers. He had success all over the world and fought the best of the best Muay Thai fighters in Thailand. He is a legend in the sport of kickboxing. Check this out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnvnCNEtHkY&feature=related

My First International Fight Experience

I wanted to share with you my first international fight experience as a kickboxer. From the late 80s to the late 90s I competed in American Kickboxing (also known as Full Contact Rules Kickboxing (above the waist kicks). In 1994 World Champion Steve Shepherd promoted USA vs. Russia in West Palm Beach. Two 5-man teams competed against each other with USA edging out Russia. I was the middleweight representative fighting against Russian Kickboxing champion Alexander Voronin. Here it is.

Part I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpHwRe9cRTY

Part II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q602Ub4eqoE&feature=related

Body Shots

You want to break an opponent down, work the body. Getting stopped with body shot is painful. It is a slow death, whereas with a head knockout, you're just out. My favorite punch is a left hook to the body. Body blows weakens an opponent. It pays big dividends to start working an the body early. It takes energy to repeatedly beat up the body, so work your cardio. Check out this boxing body blow highlight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNNJjfx-Ojc

Uchimata

Uchimata is the most spectacular throw in the sport of Judo. It is difficult to master and those that do have an incredible weapon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R43op-tg-_E&list=FLmOjhLKfM09ymrJRgYAEJnA&index=1&feature=plpp_video

Mayweather Training Highlight

"Money" Floyd Mayweather talks a lot of trash. But, we have to be honest and admit he can back it up. A lot of people want to see him get beat, but it will be a while because he is still the most skilled boxer in his division. We are waiting and hoping that the match up with Pacman will take place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTdqV8XkYNo&feature=g-vrec&context=G25e85d1RVAAAAAAAAAw

High Round Kick

Here's a clip of Round Kick Knockouts in full contact (bare knuckle karate). In martial arts, the round kick is the most used, versatile kick. It is a high percentage kick that doesn't leave the kicker out of position and works well with other foot and hand techniques.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZFIvZObJ48&feature=g-all-f&context=G25b94adFAAAAAAAABAA

Edson Barboza

Wow! is what I say on last weekend's spin hook kick knockout by Edson Barboza in UFC 142 in Brazil. Here's a highlight clip of this young man. He holds a black belt in Karate and purple in BJJ and has an outstanding kickboxing record. Dig this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpGGitXpqZQ

Shidokan Pakistan

Here some clips of Kancho Yoshiji Soeno teaching at the Shidokan Pakistan Headquarters. It is cool to see Shidokan in all parts of the world. Shidokan is not as popular in the States (except for hard core and old school contact fighters) as it is in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tFOO0c0Tm0

Ali vs Inoki

Here's some of the famous Muhamed Ali vs Inoki match. This is one of the Boxing Vs. Pro Wrestling fights. People look at matches like these where an ungloved grappler fights a gloved fighter. They are pretty silly and tell you nothing. You want to fight a boxer, box. You want to fight a wrestler, then wrestle. (Mis) Matching the two proves nothing. In a bar fight, I rather have the hands of a skilled boxer. In an phone booth, the skill of a grappler.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw7JuDP0KiY

Don't Cut Unnecessary Weight

I talked a while back about cutting weight for competition. I seeing articles written on cutting weight and hear fighters talking about it all the time. The belief is that if one drops weight to get to the top of a weight class, then he has an advantage. There have been many studies done on high school and college wrestlers cutting weight and there have been deaths from athletes doing this. I personally know a former top rated boxer who suffers now from cutting a lot of weight in preparation for fights.

Here's my take on cutting weight. If you have to lose more than 10 lbs (assuming you are already lean) fight at what you weigh. Now, for heavyweights it's a different because they carry more body fat. So, how much you can lose depends also on body fat percentage. Skinny guys dropping weight lose muscle and actually make themselves weaker. Most times, fighters drop a lot of weight fast (10 plus pounds in a day). The starve and dehydrate their bodies. This is bad on the organs and brain.

As a 160 lbs fighter, I could care less if my opponent's dropped 20-30lbs. I've never felt like, "Oh this guy who lost 15 lbs to fight me is so much stronger". I've worked out with smaller guys, who were actually stronger than me. Remember, there is going to always be somebody stronger, faster, etc. The philosophy is that all else being equal, the stronger athlete wins. But, in reality it never works out that way. Skill, will, mental toughness, and a lot of heart can determine that outcome of fight. So, believe in yourself and practice.

Master Of Leg Locks

Imanari Masakazu is an expert at leg lock submissions. These are risky moves to try, but pay high dividends. Check him out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IP75mU_eFI&feature=related

Lenox Lewis Highlight

Lenox Lewis dominated the heavyweight division for almost a decade. He is a perfect example of good boxing basics (use the jab to set up the right hand). Check out this highlight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWPF8KvdF14&feature=g-vrec&context=G2447801RVAAAAAAAAAQ

Martial Arts Mysticism

I'm amazed at what people will believe in the martial arts. People like magic and want to believe in the mysticism of martial arts. A popular one is the pressure point fighting systems. The over analytical view of hitting points of the body in a special order to create pain and knock outs. Here's a clip of George Dillman doing his magic (B.S).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki5A4Q3hVuU

Pro Fight Karate France

Check out this hight of Pro Fight Karate. It is an organization based in France, putting on full contact matches with a little twist, keeping it's focus at the heart of Karate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfm-GtBBoZg

Camilo and Maia

Yesterday I gave you guys a clip of Tiago and Demian working out. Here's a highlight of the two doing what they do best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqz2qbf_hrE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uit7qW3xNCU

Judo and Jiu Jitsu

There's a a lot of talk about which is better, Judo or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Sambo or Catch Wrestling, etc. Grappling is grappling in my book. The different grappling arts have their unique sports and rules sets. But if you grapple, you will become better at grappling. Grappling without a Gi is submission wrestling, which is kind of free style in that you adopt techniques from the major grappling systems into one. Here's a clip of Demian Maia (BJJ world Champ) and world class Judoka, Tiago Camillo working out together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyYLBGErC2I

World Champion Steve Shepherd

Steve Shepherd was a multiple World Champion in Kickboxing. He promoted the sport and is a pioneer in martial arts and martial arts equipment. He is the founder of Ringstar (protecting foot padding for karate). I had the pleasure of meeting Steve, because he gave me fight opportunities on some of his fight promotions. Check out this legend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX9_tClIqBQ