Western boxing
Greetings! Enjoy The Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
This sure was another exciting week at The MartialArtsReporter.com!
And here it is “The Week In Review”.
I hope you enjoy your Sunday and find the time to take in all the video clips in their entirety.
Celebrating The Life Of Brandon Lee, Who Would Have Turned 45 Today
Get A Great Lower Body Stretching Workout In Only 3 Minutes!
Here’s An Upper Body Stretching Workout In Just 3 Minutes!
Boxing Insights From My Filipino-American Barber
Jeff Imada, The Genius Behind Great Action Movies
We Will Never Forget 9/11 American Hero And Judo Champion, Jeremy Glick
I hope you come back tomorrow for a new post.
Take care. Stay safe.
Boxing Insights From My Filipino-American Barber
It was really time to get my hair cut. I kept on putting it off because of busyness. Does that ever happen to you, too?
If you have been following this blog during the last couple of months y’all know that I have a favorite barber. Just check the archives on the right.
Let’s just call him “Danny”. He is a naturalized U.S. American and originally from the Philippines. Like all Filipinos I have met so far, he too is just the nicest guy you can entrust your hair-styling needs with.
We always talk about the Philippines and fighting arts such as Arnis, Eskrima, Kali and of course Western boxing. Also because the arguably best boxer of all time is Filipino. Most of you probably know whom I am talking about: Manny Pacquiao (did I spell that right?).
Alright, so we got over the news that Floyd (Mayweather Jr.) just isn’t that into Manny (Pacquiao) and their fight scheduled for this coming March has been cancelled, for now anyway.
Instead, Floyd will be fighting Shane (Mosley) on May 1 and Manny (Pacquiao) vs. Joshua (Clottey) mid March. Both fights are welterweight division bouts.
That’s sounds interesting, but I needed to know more (the investigative reporter that I am!):
My question: “Danny, why isn’t Floyd fighting against Manny?”
His answer: “Because Floyd is suing Manny for taking drugs!!!!”
My reaction: “What?? ?*&%$#.”
His answer: “Let me explain this to you, my priend. Alright?!’
My response: “Are you sure you’re not cutting my hair too short?”
His answer: “You keep on coming back to see me. So no, it’s not too short! Now listen to me, my priend. Mayweather is calling for random blood tests for all future opponents including Pacquiao, because he wants to clean up boxing. Haha. He requested this after they had all agreed on random urine testing, even though it’s not required by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that regulates all professional boxing fights. Manny was alright with 3 blood tests, but not within 24 days of the fight and then he went along with a blood test right after the fight. Do you understand, my priend?
My response: “Hmm. Yeah, sure. So are they ever going to fight? Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, I mean.”
His final answer (because my hair was really getting kinda short, even though he would never admit that): “This would be the most lucrative fight in all of boxing history. If Mayweather and Pacquiao do step into the same ring at the same time, the prize money could possibly gross US$200 million. So I think everybody involved is going to do whatever it takes to make this happen.”
My response: “Now I get it. By the way, my hair looks great and you are a true artist, Danny, my Filipino-American barber. Talk to you again in a couple of weeks.”
The Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
Hey guys!
I hope you had a great week and you are enjoying your weekend.
You might have already noticed that I have added a very cool inspirational feature of “The Quote Of The Day” on the right side bar.
So, instead of just 2 quotes a week, you’re getting at least 7 a week, or at least one a day. Sounds like taking your daily vitamin!
Besides that let’s just dive right into all the exciting posts and what else happened this last week:
Honor Student – Muay Thai Style
Self-Defense From A Pinned Down Position
Bartitsu, The Fighting Style Of Detective Sherlock Holmes
Canadian UFC Welterweight Superstar Georges St. Pierre And “Operation Olympic Wrestling 2012″?
Get Ready For A Western Boxing Prodigy
First U.S. American Judo Brown Belt And 26th U.S. President
Talk to you soon.
Get Ready For A Western Boxing Prodigy
Hey guys,
As you know, if you have been visiting this blog on a regular base, I am interested in all kinds of martial arts, self-defense concepts, fighting styles, workout programs etc.
Just today I revisited Western boxing which brought back some vivid memories of some of the toughest, but also some of the most rewarding workout sessions that I have experienced.
Now, I will admit that as a kid, my dad would show me a couple of punches, but nothing serious. Maybe you went through the same.
That came later in my life after a number of years of practicing Shotokan karate when I needed a change in scenery by switching to Western boxing for a while. And I gotta tell ya it’s good to empty your cup every now and then.
Just learning the basic footwork can make all the difference.
Throw in a couple of techniques like jab, cross, hook and uppercut, when you’re not jumping rope.
Believe me, you’re gonna feel great about yourself.
Well, today I found a video clip again on a boxing kid or better prodigy that I just have to share with you.
After watching it, you will be either impressed or jealous or I don’t know what. Let me know.
Just keep moving for about 2 1/2 minutes. Enjoy!
Another Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
Thank you so very much for stopping by again.
I hope you enjoy this week in review and two great quotes that will leave their mark.
“The Best Of The Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor” is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but he’s not even a Gracie or a Machado. Find out more about whom Rickson Gracie considers to be his most technical instructor.
Michael Kuhr, Former Kickboxing Champion, Now Security Professional In Berlin, Germany In some circles he is known as “The Godfather”. Find out why in this article.
Girl Power Expressed Through Karate Kata Perfection Learn More About Karate Kata And Watch A Japanese Female Trio Perform.
Is This The Holy Grail For Martial Arts Competitors, Part 2, Final Have You Really Done Everything There Is To Get Prepared ?
Is This Missing Link To Complete Your Training Regimen? Is This The Holy Grail For Martial Arts Competitors, Part 1 of 2?
Bruce Lee One-On-One With ….. One Of His Students And Former NBA Superstars And A “Tall Order”.
That wraps it up for the week. Or does it really?
Here are the two quotes I hope you enjoy as much as I do:
“Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity.” Og Mandino
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Peter Drucker
I will talk to you tomorrow!
Girl Power Expressed Through Karate Kata Perfection
If you have been following this blog lately you probably have noticed that I like to mix things up between different martial arts styles such as Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu aka BJJ aka Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Western Boxing, Jeet Kune Do, Wing Chun Kung Fu, just to name a few.
Today, I’m in the mood for some really impressive Karate moves. The kind of moves you see when true artists are at work or better performing a kata.
For those of you not familiar with kata, here a short description:
Kata is a Japanese word for choreographed patterns of movements that can be performed either solo or in pairs or even groups.
Kata is commonly known in the Japanese martial arts such as Aikido, Judo, Karate, Iaido and others.
You come across patterns of movements in other non-Japanese martial arts such as Tai Chi Chuan and Taekwondo. They just use Chinese and Korean words instead.
To get a better idea of what karate kata perfection looks like, have a look at this video clip of the Japanese Female Kata Team competing in 2008.
Amazing! But I will let you be the judge.
Another Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
Here’s your week in review at TheMartialArtsReporter.com and two great quotes, just because it’s that season again!
Gegard Mousasi, MMA Fighter With A 27-2-1 Record And Only 24 Years Old
From Leiden,The Netherlands, referred to by many as “Europe’s Best-Kept Secret”.
Is Yildiz Aras The World’s Best Female Karate Kumite Competitor?
From Istanbul, Turkey, meet the “Strong Girl”.
New Zealand’s Maori Haka Get Warriors For Battle
From ‘Lord of the Rings’ country comes a ritual that will get any opponent’s attention.
Bruce Lee And Albrecht Pflueger. Albrecht Who?
Find out who this karate pioneer is and what role he played in my life.
Yoga And Martial Artists
If it helps Rickson Gracie in his workout regimen, could you possibly benefit from yoga?
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu – Behind The Scenes In Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Rio is more than just the ‘Girl from Ipanema’.
And here are the two quotes as promised. I hope you like them.
“Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.”
Lord Byron
But wait, there’s more!
“Nurture your mind with great thought, for you will never go any higher than you think.” Benjamin Disraeli
Thanks again for following me at TheMartialArtsReporter.com
Gegard Mousasi, MMA-Fighter With A 27-2-1 Record And Only 24 Years Old
Today I would to introduce to you a mixed martial artist who has been consistently climbing in the MMA rankings in an almost stealth-like manner.
Not too long he was referred to as “Europe’s Best-Kept Secret”. It’s time to reveal the secret.
Born in Iran to Armenian parents, Gegard Mousasi and his family moved to the Netherlands when he was only 4 years.
The university town of Leiden, also birthplace of the Dutch Constitution, has become home to this exceptional mixed martial artist.
The very talented Gegard Mousasi started with Judo as a kid and then by age 15 he immersed himself into Western boxing.
Astonishingly enough, it has been reported that after training for only about a year, he became Dutch amateur boxing champion.
The next stepping stone was kickboxing which has a long tradition in The Netherlands and that has brought out many amazing fighters. (I look forward to talking about them in the very near future.)
Equipped with profound skills in Judo, Western boxing and kickboxing as well as the desire to take on new challenges, Mousasi entered the arena of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
He currently fights on Team Jurojin and is also a member of Red Devil Sport Club.
His first official MMA fight on record was in April 2003, when he was still 17 years old! Mousasi was declared the winner after 3:40 minutes of the first round by TKO.
He had a 5-0-1 record until Mousasi had to swallow his first loss in February 2005, which led him to make numerous changes in his approach to MMA.
The only other loss he had to suffer was in August 2006.
It has been now over 3 years and a rather successful undertaking for Gegard Mousasi who has a stunning fight record of 27 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw (early on in his career).
He was good for a surprise by signing up for a K-1 fight in 2008 against Musashi which he quickly won in the first round through referee stoppage.
After competing as a Middleweight, Gegard Mousasi has moved up to Strikeforce’s Light Heavyweight division.
I admit that I am very impressed with his overall fighting skills, demeanor and professional approach to his career.
And at the relatively young age of only 24 and if he stays injury-free, there’s no telling how far and how long Gegard Mousasi can go.
Do I hear the UFC and Dana White calling?
Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker Sr., The Father Of American Kenpo Karate
Ed Parker Sr. certainly influenced quite a number of martial artists and his influence continues long after he passed on in 1990. Sadly, he died of a heart attack at the early age of 59.
Grandmaster Parker grew up in Hawaii and started with Judo and Western Boxing at a very young age.
In his late teens, Frank Chow introduced him to Kenpo Master William Chow by whom he was promoted to black belt in 1953.
After moving back to the U.S. (Hawaii did not officially become a state until 1959) he opened up his dojo/karate school in Pasadena, right outside of Los Angeles, California, in 1956.
Grandmaster Parker’s studies and practice of karate were influenced by Japanese and Okinawan elements which guided him in the creation of his very practical and effective martial art and fighting system simply known as American Kenpo.
His teachings had a profound effect on numerous students who went on to become martial arts greats in their own right such as Larry Tatum, Vic Leroux and Dan Inosanto.
Interestingly enough, during the Long Beach International Karate Championships in 1964 organized by Ed Parker Sr., a young and until then unknown martial artist was given exposure to a broad audience and from which he stormed the martial arts scene in a manner never displayed before. His name?
Bruce Lee.
It was also during these days in Long Beach that Bruce Lee and Dan Inosanto met for the first time to become friends and martial arts allies that would change martial arts and the entertainment industry forever.
But back to Grandmaster Parker.
Besides teaching, writing books and promoting Kenpo Karate, helping other martial artists open their own dojos, Ed Parker Sr. was also active in the movie industry as a instructor, stuntman and actor in movies such as “Kill The Golden Goose” and one of my favorites “Revenge Of The Pink Panther”.
Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker Sr., The Father Of American Kenpo Karate.
Manny Pacquiao Or What I Learn From My Barber
Is Manny Pacquaio Now The Best Boxer Of All Time?
The answer is “Yes” according to my barber.
Yep, I got my hair cut today and I look awesome. My wife agrees.
My barber, as you might remember from a previous post, is a born Filipino, now naturalized American and he impresses me every single time with his knowledge of and admiration for Filipino national hero, Manny Pacquiao.
As you might have heard, Pacquiao beat fellow welterweight Miguel Cotto from Puerto Rico last Saturday in 12 long and brutal rounds.
Now, don’t forget that Miguel Cotto knows his stuff. He is a very powerful and agile boxer. Taller and heavier than Manny Pacquiao, thus you would think that all the advantages would be in his favor.
It sure looked like it after the first round on Saturday in Las Vegas.
But honestly, I didn’t see the fight.
Didn’t have to, because I got the all the insider information from my barber today.
Admittedly, I did check out the post-fight press conference and this is what I took away in a nutshell:
Manny Pacquiao has now won 7 different world titles in seven weight divisions! His fight record is 50-3-2. Whoa!
Nobody has ever done anything like this before. Not even “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali or Sugar Ray Leonard or Marvin Hagler or Roberto Duran or ……!
You gotta be impressed.
And you know what else?
Manny Pacquiao isn’t even 31 years old yet!
During the post-fight conference he looked a couple of years older and understandably, he just fought a very tough opponent for 12 rounds for a world title.
He took a number of blows early on in the fight, but according to my barber, he quickly took control and was definitely in charge of the ring.
Miguel Cotto’s family could watch him take the beating and left before the fight was over. No mas!
Like I said, I thought Pacquaio looked older right after the fight. Under his fashionable hat, which has almost become another one of his trademarks, his right ear was bandaged.
Well, if you think he looked bad, think again.
Miguel Cotto wanted to show up for the press conference, but the medical doctors ordered him not to and instead go immediately to the hospital to have his cuts and bruises taken care of. Ouch!
I guess he really took a beating, but he’ll be alright. I wish him from here a speedy recovery.
Back to Manny Pacquiao: This guy is amazing not only in the ring, but also outside of it.
As you know by now, he is a national hero in the Philippines. He is also in acting, politics, moviemaking and music recording.
Right after the press conference Manny Pacquiao was already scheduled to give a concert and reportely sing eight songs.
The things I learn from my barber.
I’ll be seeing him again in a couple of weeks. Can’t wait.
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