North Texas Fisticuffs
no comments
Boxing is back in North Texas as Paulie Ayala Productions sets up shop once again in Funkytown. This Saturday, PAP will present "Gloves & Guitars" an exciting pro boxing card taking place at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The card features some of the area's most exciting fighters as evident by the recently released fight card. As always, the card is subject to change. Main Event - Miguel Buendia vs. Angel Rodriguez
Alex Clarkson vs. Kyle Fancher
Manuel "The Punisher" Rojas vs. Dewayne Wisom
Joesl Hernandez vs. Julio Valadez
Arthur Trevino vs. Derek Jones
Angel Solarzano vs. Travonne Hobbs
John Vera vs. Cedric Sheppard
no comments
Recently, “the Greatest,” Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay, Jr. on January 17th, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky) celebrated his 70th birthday. Just to think, it all began by chance when he was a young boy and someone stole his bike and he reported it to the police. He then told police officer Joe Martin that he wanted to beat up the person who stole his bike, and the officer recommended to the young Cassius Clay to learn how to box, and history was made. He started off as an amateur boxer who won six Kentucky Golden Gloves titles, two National Golden Gloves titles, and then went on to the 1960 Olympics in Rome to win the Gold medal in the light heavyweight division. He won his first professional fight on October 29, 1960 against Tunney Hunsaker, who happened to be the police chief of Fayetville, West Virginia. Ali stands 6-ft, 3-in height and is the only heavyweight ever who was able to move around a ring like a middleweight fighter. That is why he always said “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”
By 1963 he had an undefeated record of 18-0 when he fought British Heavyweight champion Henry Cooper, and despite being knocked down in the fourth round, Cassius Clay went on to win the fight after it was stopped in the 5th round. The next year he went on to defeat the supposed unbeatable Sonny Liston, who retired in the 6th round, and Cassius Clay became the Heavyweight Champion of the World. This is where he said “I shook up the world.” The next year he fought against Liston again, and knocked him out in the 1st round. The picture of Cassius Clay standing over Liston after the knockout is one of the most famous boxing pictures in history.
Muhammad Ali went on to defeat Ernie Terrell for the WBA World Heavyweight title in 1967. He defended that title and knocked out Zorra Folley in the 7th round. In 1970 he defeated Oscar Bonavena for the NABF Heavyweight Title. In 1971 he lost his heavyweight title to “Smokin” Joe Frazier by decision (15 rounds). He went on to regain the NABF heavyweight title against Jimmy Ellis in 1971 by TKO in the 12th round. He defended that title against Buster Mathis, George Chuvalo, Jerry Quarry, the incredible Floyd Patterson, Bob Foster, and finally lost that title in a split decision in a grueling fight against Ken Norton in 1973. In his fight against Ken Norton, he fought with a broken jaw. Only five months later Ali defeated Norton to regain the NABF title and the next year he beat Joe Frazier by unanimous decision to retain his title. Nine months later he fought “Big” George Foreman in one of the most memorable boxing matches in boxing history, known as the “Rumble in the Jungle.” In this match Ali knocked out the heavy punching Foreman in the 8th round, by using his famous “rope-a-dope” tactic, by leaning against the ropes and letting Foreman tire himself out. He went on to defend the WBC and WBA titles against Chuck Wepner, Ron Lyle, Joe Bugner, Joe Frazier (fight know as the “Thrilla in Manila”), who retired in the 14th round, Jimmy Young, Richard Dunn, Ken Norton, Alfredo Angelista, and Earnie Shavers (Ali and others considered him to be the hardest puncher they had ever faced). Ali then lost his titles to the young Leon Spinks by a split decision in 1978. He miraculously regained the WBA title against Spinks only seven months later. He retired on September 6, 1979 and then came out of retirement to finish his boxing career against WBC heavyweight champion Larry Holmes. His final fight was against Trevor Berbick in 1981.
Muhammad Ali’s professional career spanned from 1960 to 1981 and his boxing record is 56 wins and 5 losses with 37 knockouts. In 1984 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease but he still continues to offer his time for philanthropy and his support to many causes. In 1998 he was honored as the United Nations Messenger of Peace. He has also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush, among the many awards he has received throughout his life. The Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky is open to the public and it’s mission is to preserve and share the legacy and ideals of Muhammad Ali.
There are not enough words in this short article to describe “the Greatest,” but it was an honor to meet him when he came to Dallas, Texas, so many years ago. It was one of the most memorable moments in my life and I must share this little story. When I arrived at the Market Hall, where he was, I stood in line and could not believe that I was actually going to get me meet Muhammad Ali. I came prepared with a boxing glove and a small cheap camera to take pictures. When it was my turn to get his autograph, I quickly asked one of the helpers to take my picture with him. While Ali was signing my glove, I maneuvered my way around the table where he was sitting and stood beside him as his helper took the picture. The funny part is, the Champ was not even looking at the camera, because he was too busy signing my glove, and then I was pushed away for the next person in line. So, I waited after all the signings were done, and I followed Ali and his group as they were leaving the back of the hall. I noticed he was taken to the back of the room and went behind some curtains, and I said “I have to take a picture of him.” While nobody was looking I quickly went behind the curtains and noticed he was getting inside a car. I stepped into the alley and I said “Ali,”and the Champ looked at me like “what the heck are you doing there?”…somewhat startled and surprised….and then he gave me the peace sign and I clicked the camera. I must have had the biggest smile on my face as he smiled back. He is truly “the Greatest.”
Photo © Hector Sanchez
no commentsThis past Saturday night, the CSTV crew was in Plano, TX to take in all the action of Element Fighting Championship's EFC1: The Rise. Check out all the action and interviews!
no comments
You have to give credit to Element Fighting Championship (EFC) for making their inaugural fight promotion Saturday night one of the more enjoyable fight cards to hit the DFW Metroplex. With a full house packed in at the Plano Convention Center, EFC 1: The Rise was by all accounts a success. With great fights at a great venue the numerous fight fans in attendance were treated to a night of action they will not soon forget.
The night’s main event saw former WEC title challenger Marcus “The Wrecking Ball” Hicks survive some rough moments to rally back and submit Longview’s Josh Lee. While Hicks looked to come out aggressively at the opening bell, Lee seemed ready for the blitz and was able to defend against Hicks takedown attempts. When the fight did go the ground in the opening round Lee was ready and deftly caught Hicks, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, in an airtight rear naked choke that looked like it was going to put the “Wrecking Ball” to sleep. However, Hicks was able to survive the round and in the second round was able to rebound and after taking the fight to the ground sunk in a guillotine choke/crank that forced Lee to tap.
Lee made it a great fight but on this evening it was Hicks who would have his hand raised. The official time of the submission was at the 0:42 mark in round two. With the victory Hicks improves his record to 13-4; Lee falls to 8-8 in defeat.
In the evening’s co-featured bout, Abilene’s Brandon Farran scored a blistering 15 second opening round knockout of Jarret Jones. Farran came out like a man possessed and landed a hard straight right that put Jones out and the fight over. While Farran’s victory was impressive, there will be controversy surrounding the bout as many in attendance thought that the fight was ended prematurely and that Jones could probably have continued on in the fight. None the less, Farran gets the win and exacts revenge on Jones who bested him earlier in their careers with an arm bar.
The official time of the knockout was 0:15 seconds in round one. With the win Farran improves his record to 6-4; Jones falls to 5-6 in defeat.
In a battle of undefeated fighters Drew Pendleton proved too much for Alden Herbert. While the fight was largely devoid on sustained action Pendleton was the aggressor throughout the contest and simply proved to be too much of a hurdle of the young Herbert.
The judges’ scorecards read 30-27, 30-27, and 30-27 all in favor of Pendleton. With the win Pendleton remains undefeated with a a record of 5-0; Herbert tastes defeat for the first time falling to 4-1 with the loss.
Austin’s Warren Stewart scored in impressive victory over muay thai specialist Frank Barragan scoring an unanimous decision win. Things started out rocky for Stewart as Barragan took the fight to the ground early and opening up a nasty cut above the eye of Stewart with a relentless barrage of elbows from the mount. With the ringside physician concerned and checking on the severity of Stewart’s cut after the first round, something seemed to ignite a fire in Stewart entering the second round. Stewart turned up the heat in the second and third round and simply bullied Barragan throughout the course of the fight.
All three judges scored the bout 29-28 in favor of Stewart. With the win Stewart improves his record to 11-16; Barragan falls to 7-8 in defeat.
Despite an incredible resolve Lufkin’s Rodney McFarland was simply outclassed by Jason House. House used his incredible muay thai skills to batter and bruise McFarland throughout the opening round. However, try as he might, House could not get McFarland to take a step back. House would soon rectify this dilemma in the second round as a concussive right hand put McFarland on the mat. Seizing the opportunity, House jumped on McFarland and after some ground and pound, House took McFarland’s back where he slipped in the rear naked choke to end the fight.
The official time of the submission was 0:28 in the round two. With the win House improves his record to 8-5; McFarland falls to 2-5 with the loss.
In what turned out to be the fight of the night, Borzoo Honargohar and Javier Obregon waged an absolute three round war that had the gathered crowd at the Plano Convention Center on their feet cheering throughout. Early on the fight seemed to be going Obregon’s way as he was able to smother Honargohar with a relentless ground game that put the striker in peril throughout the round. However, Honargohar would begin to put his game plan into motion as he was able to deftly avoid Obregon’s takedown attempts in the second and third rounds. With Obregon’s bread and butter being stilled the fight moved to their feet where Honargohar’s excellent muay thai was utilized in full effect. But, the fight was close and in the end it was Honargohar who would walk away with the split decision victory with scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 28-29.
With the win Honargohar improves his record to 1-0; Obregon falls to 2-2 with the loss.
Houston’s Dale Mitchell looked impressive in stopping fan favorite James Hall with a first round stoppage. Hall looked to want to stand and trade but Mitchell shot in with a quick double leg and followed that up with some hard punches from within Hall’s guard that prompted the referee to stop the fight.
The official time of the stoppage was 1:48 in the first round. With the win Mitchell improves his record to 3-4; Hall falls to 4-6 in defeat.
In a closely contested fight, Austin’s Jeremy Myers scored a unanimous decision victory over Randy Villarreal. The fight was as close as any you would ever see as Villarreal came out at a blistering pace in the opening round scoring repeatedly with some very crisp boxing. However, Villarreal’s momentum would soon be halted as Myers went to a wrestling game plan and smothered Villarreal over the course of the second and third rounds. Myer’s tenacity paid off as the judges aw him the victor with scores of 29-28 on all three cards.
With the win Myers improves his record to 3-4; Villarreal falls to 8-7 in defeat.
Fort Worth’s Daniel Miller didn’t waste any time in securing a victory over Michael Saunders with a first round guillotine. Saunders tried to get the fight to the ground but when he shot in Miller caught him in the choke and ended the fight.
The official time of the submission was 1:24 in the opening round. With the victory Miller improves his record to 3-0; Saunders falls to 1-2 with the loss.
In the night’s opening bout Austin’s Van Vo gave a spirited effort but ultimately was outclassed by Faez Miraki. In the opening round Vo controlled the bout by keeping Miraki’s takedown attempts by controlling his head and sprawling. However, Miraki, an international wrestler, eventually was able to establish his game plan in the second round and after securing the takedown, slipped in the rear naked choke to end the night.
The official time of the submission was 2:10 in the second round. With the win Miraki improves his record to 2-0; Vo falls to 1-6 in defeat.
no commentsCheck out our weigh-in coverage!
no comments
This Saturday night (January 14) Element Fighting Championship will hold their first pro MMA promotion entitled EFC 1: “The Rise.” However, fight fans can get their first glimpse of the fighters on the card Friday afternoon as EFC will hold open weigh-ins at Dodie’s Cajun Restaurant in Frisco, TX. Fight fans are encouraged to come out and cheer on their favorite fighters.
WEIGH-IN INFO
What: EFC1 “The Rise Weigh-Ins
Where: Dodie’s Cajun Restaurant (3401 Preston Road, D1, Frisco, TX 75034)
When: Friday, January 13 at 2:30 PM
FIGHT CARD
Main Event “Bought to you by Prestige Ford
Marcus “The Wrecking Ball” Hicks vs Josh Lee
Co-Main Event “Brought to you by Pisco Porton
Jarret Jones vs Brandon Farran
Frank Barragan vs Warren Stewart
Daniel Miller vs Michael Saunders
Drew Pendleton vs Alden Herbert
Jason House vs Rodney Macfarland
Randy Villarreal vs Jeremy Myers
Hayward Charles vs Clint Roberts
Faez Miraki vs Van Vo
Borzoo Honargohar vs Javier Obregon
no comments
Don't beleive me? Then check out this photo shoot featuring the EFC ring card girls in their pure awesomeness.
For more information, including ticket prices, check out www.elementMMA.com.
no comments
For Longview-based welterweight Josh Lee, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has been a safe harbor for the amiable MMA fighter’s career. Lee has found a measure of fame and fortune traversing I-20 in order to ply his fistic trade in the cages of some of the regions bigger promotions. However, for the most part, few fights fans in North Texas are familiar with the humble young man who reps East Texas with a tangible pride. However, if Lee’s performance this past December at XKO 13 is any indication of his fight talents then Lee may find himself with a bandwagon filled to the brim with new fans.
Pitted against Dallas’ Roy Spoon, a fighter who knows no fear, Lee had watershed performance beating at XKO 13 battering the talented fighter before submitting him in the second round. It was a stunning upset in the eyes of many in attendance. After all, North Texas fight fans are well acquainted with Spoon’s tenacity and to seem him handled in such a dominant fashion by an unheralded fighter out of East Texas came as a major shock. Of course, the one person who was not surprised with the outcome was Lee himself.
“With Spoon, I knew and our team knew we could beat him,” explained Lee. “He is a good fighter, very strong, but we just knew our cardio and technical ability was better.”
Lee’s foundation as a fighter was strengthened by his coach and manager JC Cox. Together the duo have rattled the cages of carious promotions thorough the country. For Lee, who credits his strength as a striker, the partnership with Cox has taken his game to new levels.
“I came from a Chuck Liddell affiliate originally and I was known early on as a striker,” said Lee. “Then, once I began training with JC Cox my jiu-jitsu got to a level that I was comfortable, that is when I switched to being a ground fighter. But, honestly, I feel very good standing or on the ground. “
This newfound evolution in his game will serve Lee well as he readies for yet another fight with one of North Texas’ dangerous fighters. This Saturday, Lee will take on the Marcus “The Wrecking Ball” Hicks in the main event of the Element Fighting Championship card taking place at the Plano Convention Center, in Plano, TX. Hicks represents one of the region’s most talented and dangerous fighters having been a former lightweight title contender in the WEC. To say that Lee will have his hands full with Hicks would be a gross understatement. Yet, in light of it all Lee and his team feel that they are ready to upset the apple cart once again.
“Well, it will be a continuation of the camp for Spoon,” explains Lee. “I got a couple weeks off to rest, now I have a few weeks to get mentally in the right place and find that peak in conditioning.”
Lee continues, “Hicks is experienced, but I have just as many fights. I feel his strength will be his ground game. I have watched his video and I have competed at the same level. So, honestly I feel I can win this fight on the ground, but I hope he stands with me.”
“My biggest strengths are my cardio, my heart, and not really having any area that is weak in my game. Also, that we always have a great game plan. Our coach dissects these opponents and we create a battle plan…to win. “
While a fighter is alone in the cage, the build up to that moment is dependent on a team of dedicated and understanding individuals to help the fighter on his journey through training came. For Lee this is no different and he makes it a point to give credit to the people who have helped him get to where he is at as a fighter.
States Lee, “I want to give a shout out my coach and manager JC Cox, to Jorge Gurgel the leader of our team up in Cincinnati, to Josh Foster and the guys at the gym that I train with and to Dustin Cason my strength and conditioning coach. Also, to all my sponsors.”
Inarguably, Lee’s biggest measure of gratitude goes to his family. The dotting father of two uses the love of his family as motivation to give his all in the cage.
“I want to win this fight for my future wife Desirea and my daughter Heaven, and my son Damian,” boasts Lee.
With the huge fight lowing this weekend Lee seems confident that his trip to the DFW will not be in vain.
“We feel that with the Hicks fight we will be the bigger guy in the cage but this will be a more physical chess match. We will be prepared. We don’t drive three hours down I-20 to lose fights.”
Photo © Beck Malone/Becky Malone Photography
Roland Gamez contributed to this story.
