Heart and Spirit

It's a given that you have to be in shape for fighting. Everybody works out. Some harder than others. But what is most important in fighting? Is it the fighters who has the state of the art equipment? Is it the fighting who has several coaches? Sure these things are helpful, but I think heart and spirit are most important. With those 2 things, comes the will to win. I know a lot of strong athletes who fold when things are no longer easy and they can rely on athleticism. Once you get tired, the will to win is what propels you forward. You will eventually feel pain, fatigue, etc. It is your spirit that will pull you through the fires of doubt. Continue to train with all of your special devices, coaches, etc. But, make time to focus from the inside out. Visualize and meditate on finding your inner power because you will find that it is just as important as your outer power.

Money Vs. Notorious In Boxing

You may heard about the possibility of Floyd and Conner boxing. They say anything can happen in sports, but it is next to impossible that he can beat floyd in a boxing match. Even if Floyd was 60 and fat. In the times were MMA is seen as the sport of the future and superior to boxing, only those who've never sparred with an Olympian (or local state champion) would say that. I have seen combat athletes try to cross over to boxing, mainly kick boxers. Even though boxing is part of kickboxing the skill level of pure boxers in the punching department tends to be superior. I'm not saying the combat athlete coming to boxing has no chance. But, unless you've started boxing a young age, it is doubtful (not impossible) that you will become an Olympic level or successful pro boxer. We've seen good pure athletes become successful in some of the other combat sports, but this almost never the case in boxing. Back to the Conner and Floyd fight. Of course he should take the fight against Floyd if the opportunity arises. It will definitely be worth his while. But to zero pro boxing matches against a fighter of Floyd's caliber, come on.

What Is Most In Important In Training?

I watch a lot of guys train and everybody wants a trainer. That's fine because a good coach will motivate you and help you push yourself a little further. But, I personally feel that you must do this from within. I believe that champions are somewhat self trained. People put to much into what others can give them. I feel that you have the power to give yourself more than anyone else can give you. I watched world champions train and nobody was telling them what exercises to do and how many rounds of this or that to do. These athletes just do it. Sure they listen to pointers from a coach here and there, but for the most part they are Ronins (masterless Samurai) following a routine developed through self-exploration. As a fighter one has to get in the ring and do it. Through repetition and experience you will find the way. I don't care how many drills you do or what the experts tell you. You have to learn it yourself.

This Style Vs. That Style

On Facebook and Youtube, I always see videos posted showing style vs. style. I see Muay Thai vs. Taekwondo, Kyokushin Vs. Karate, MMA Vs. Kickboxing, etc. These are intended to give one the impression that one style is superior to another. If a Taekwondo athlete (primarily a kicker) fights a kick boxer (primarily boxing with some kicks) and losses in a kickboxing match, it seems like the kick boxer is superior.

In most cases you always see the style that they are trying to make look bad having a fighter fight the rules of the style they are trying to display as superior. You never see the kick boxer competing under teakwondo rules. If they one day competed under one fighter's rules and the other fighters's ruleset it would most likely come out 50/50. The great MMA Heavyweight Fedor defeated many fighters who were champions at their individual disciplines. He beat top rated K-1 kick boxers, Olympic level wrestlers and judoka. He beat these athletes in MMA. But how would he fair against them in their individual specialties? Most likely he would have the opposite result.

You can be a kickboxing champion, but that doesn't mean you can be a boxing champion. There a very few to achieve titles in both sports (with none being dominate in both for a long time). So, before you criticize an art, go and compete in it for a while. If you find it easy to win against a well trained opponent, then make a video or comment.

Battle Tested

Should your martial arts instructor have some kind of combat experience? I would say yes. People practice martial arts for many reasons. Outside of self defense, there is fitness, stress relief, competition, culture (perhaps of a specific country), and others. With self defense being the main purpose of martial arts, your instructor should fight experience. What kind of fight experience? Well they should be able to apply there martial art to a non-compliant, resisting opponent in a stressful situation. They don' have grow in the streets or have defended the country in war. But, they should have some kind of experience that you can find out about to determine if they can teach you how to fight more than you already can. They don't have to be a champion fighter, but they should have more than a few fights. I can't say that I've ever learned a lot from somebody who had less experience than I did. Perhaps you can learn some exercises or drills, but when it comes down to what will work in a fight, always go with experience.

Pioneers of Muay Thai In Atlanta

In looking at the art and sport of Muay Thai in Atlanta. The earliest fighters that I know of who were competing international in Atlanta were Tony Reed and Larry McFadden. Both these guys would fight in kickboxing (above the waist rules), international kickboxing (with low kicks) and Muay Thai (with clinching, knees and elbows). I met both of these guys in the late 80s and the famous Asa's Gym in Atlanta. Asa's gym was the place to train if you kick boxed. My first experience sparring with low kicks was with Tony and some guys at Dennis Palmer's gym. Dennis is a lifelong martial artist and trainer. He was also a prominent referee for kickboxing and Muay Thai. Larry fought some of the best fighters of that era (Rob Kaman, Dennis Alexio, etc.) and Tony trained and competed in Holland (the hot bed of kickboxing in Europe). I will credit these 2 fighters as the pioneers of Muay Thai In Atlanta.

To Be Better Compete And Train With The Best

In looking back at my competitive career I better see that I have had the pleasure of competing and training with some of the best.  Many in martial arts will have their opinion on what art has the best punches, kicks, throws, submissions, etc. Some may compete in one combat sport and think that they've faced a good puncher or kicker (in kickboxing for example). I am lucky to have some cool and always humbling experiences. I've been punched by Olympic and world class professional boxers. I've kicked against some of the top Tae Kwon Do players (U.S. Team members). I've experienced the hand and foot combinations of several World Champion Kickboxers, I've feel the clinch of champion Muay Thai fighters, I've been thrown by top Judoka (including a couple of Olympians). I been twisted like a pretzel by a World BJJ Champion. Through competition and training I've been humbled many times and at the same time I've been truly blessed. I have trained in the martial art for 42 years and I am still learning.