The Bruce Lee 70th Birthday Celebration fights have ended and the results are in. The Muay Thai team dropped two of their opponents who in my opinion got unusually long and questionable counts particularly against Siam No.1 of Toronto’s Simon Marcus. Also some of the efforts of the Chinese team to escape being taken down were at times questionable. In typical format of the sanda versus Muay Thai matches of the past, the rules were structured as follows:
Men: 5 Rounds* 3 minutes 90 seconds of rest Between rounds.
Women: 3 Rounds * 3 minutes 90 seconds of rest Between rounds.
The allowed techniques for the fights : punching, elbows strikes (with pads), knees, kicks, and throws.
Zhang Kai Yin wins against John Wayne Parr via unanimous decision.
Marcus Simon wins against Guo Hanghang by KO from a knee strike to the ribs.
Jomthong Chuwattana wins against Ji Haitong by TKO stoppage due to knee strikes.
Miao Yujie wins against Parinya Charoenphol (Nong Toom) by points.
Nong Toom and Miao Yujie square off
Ji Haithong wins over Big Ben by points.
In the coming days I will post the footage so that you can decide for yourself who deserved to win.
Here are the results I know of as of now. I will continue updating this post as news becomes more available.
From the Palais des Sports Lyon Gerland, 18 December 2010 La Nit Des Challneges 9 brought many pleasing results for France and especially the team of Nasser Kacem in Saint-Fons.
Young rising star Nabil Elouissi of Saint-Fons won on points against the resident team of Marc Ferreira VXS
In perhaps the shocker of the night Abdallah Mabel won by TKO against Naruepol Fairtex. Apparently Mabel landed a fight ending elbow strike that required 8 stitches to close on Naruepol.
Yohan Lidon was scheduled to meet Nontachai Sit-O. By fight night the Thai was replaced by the Canadian Adil “Rambo” Abbas. Yohan Lidon won by KO in the first round.
On December 18, 2010 in Lyon, France will be bringing a unique event to La Nuit Des Challenges 9. An evening of International boxing and Thaiboxing will come together at the Palais Des Sports Lyon Gerland entitled “The Challenges of Night 2010”. It’s nice to see some where in the world the sweet science and the science of 8 limbs can co-exist together on the same card of this scale. Some updates have come about this unique card and some of the fighters involved though it looks very much like the card is still an active work in progress.
The two main event bouts are as follows:
France Versus Thailand
Yohan Lidon (France) vs. Nontachai Sit-O (Thailand)
Abdallah Mabel (France) vs. Naruepol Fairtex (Thailand)
Muay Thai super fights:
Nabil EL Ouisse (France) vs. Gabriel Chauvin (France)
Aziz Alikada (France) vs. Frederick Diaz (France)
In international Boxing:
Rachid EL Hadaka (France) vs. TBA
Affif Belghecham (France) vs. TBA
Newfel Ouatah (France) vs. TBA
Romangoux Brice (France) vs. Hakim Mesna (France)
Ticket prices:
General: 10 €
Rinside: 20 €
Explanation on making seating arrangements:
Once your seats settled on the site, you will receive a confirmation of purchase (within a few days) the name and first name you mentioned in your order.
So you must bring your ID with the same name and surname at the entrance to the room the night of the event.
Upon submission of your order confirmation and your identity papers also have the ticket with your name on a predetermined list will issue your ticket.
In the continuing fight to represent Thailand for the Thai Fight tournament in 2011 Sudsakorn in the red trunks fights Kongjak Sor Tuantung in the blue trunks. This fight took place at 149lbs and once again took place at the Siam Stadium. Both fighters met in the ring on December 11th, 2010.
Fresh off his recent S-Cup Championship win Buakaw Por Pramuk will again return to full rules Muay Thai action. This time against recent Thai Fight finalist Youssef Boughanhem. The Belgian fighter Boughanhem recently fought the winner of Thai Fight 2010 Fabio Pinca. The two will meet in France at La Nuit Des Titans on February 12th, 2010 in the 70 kg weight category.
Buakaw showed of his old dominant form in his return to action in Japan easily winning against all of his opponents at the 2010 S-Cup event.
Boughanem faced off and beat all his opponents in the tournament leading to the final bout of Thai Fight against Fabio Pinca.
Also scheduled for La Nuit Des Titans is a 4-man tournament at the 75 kg weight class. There is also expected to be 2 super-fights and a female bout with Muay Thai rules.
The roster for the opposing teams for China’s celebration of Bruce Lee’s 70th birthday event of Muay Thai versus Sanda has been finalized. Apparently though the Chinese press is saying it is one of their weaker line-ups and they expect China to lose at a 3-2 ratio.
Apparently, one of China’s star sanda players Li Haiming will not be participating. The reasons for him not participating varied from being too injured to now being at a much higher weight category. Replacing Li Haiming will be Zhou Jinbiao at the 60 kg weight category.
The card known thus far is as follows:
Zhou Jinbiao Vs. Jomthong at 60kg.
Miao Yujie of the Shanghai team versus Bali Ya (aka Nong Toom)at 63kg.
Nong Toom was famously known as the Lady Boy Thaiboxer who even had a movie “Beautiful Boxer” made in her honor.
Zhang Shaoxia versus John Wayne Parr at 75kg
Zhang Shaoxia
Jihai Tong Vs. Big Ben 68 kg.
Ji Haitong Vs. Marcus Simon 80kg.
Also allegedly, Parr’s remarks to the press have been reported as arrogant though decidedly Zhang has not responded in any way other than a matter of factual statement that he was looking forward to the fight.
Guiallaume Kerner is known internationally as the blond angel of Muay Thai. Guillaume was one of the earliest pioneers of Muay Thai in France and achieved high water marks in the sport before becoming a full time trainer in Muay Thai. Among those accomplishments Guillaume was the French champion 1984-85-86-87-88, The European champion 1988-89, World champion in Bangkok, Thailand in 1994 and the world champion in Los Angeles, California in 1995. Much thanks goes to Guillaume Kerner and Fredric Jeans for making this interview possible.
Q: What brought you to do Muay Thai?
A: Muay Thai is my passion since I was 13 years until today Muay Thai brought me always try to be the best. Never give up in life, always searching the perfect thing to believe in myself.
Muay Thai makes me travel. I am always discovering different cultures. I’ve met a lot of people from all over the world. I ‘ve learned Thai also English language with Muay Thai.
As one of the earliest pioneers in Muay Thai for France what made you want to train and fight in Thailand?
My teacher was the legend Pod Pad Noi Vorawooth. He talked to me about Thailand and also Thai fighters were superior than westerners.
When I was only 14 years old I decided to go to train in Thailand in Sit Sorn Thong ( Khon Khien) in a real Thai Camp. The conditions were not as they are today. No air conditioning, no comfort and I didn’t speak Thai so the communication was difficult. The food and the culture shock was too big for me. But my passion for Muay Thai helped me to adapt myself.As a 14-year-old you are a kid. Far from home and also family and friends. The culture shock was terrible for a French kid. Everything was so different.
I trained hard so I got a lot of victories in Thailand. Later, when I could speak Thai I really appreciated Thai life. Everything has become easy and today Thailand is my second country.
The Legendary Pud Pad Noi
Muay Thai was much less known internationally in the 80s. How do you think the training is different now compared to then?
Only several foreigners came to train in Thailand in those days. Today, Muay Thai is more of a business. The fighters and fights were harder during the 90’s. Today, many westerners want to train Muay Thai. They want all the comforts: air conditioning and saunas.
But the level of westerners are better today. In the 90’s only France and Holland produced champions that were able to fight the best Thais.
What was your fighting record in Muay Thai before you retired?
I had 62 fights, 58 wins, 32 wins by knock out, 4 lost and I had 1 draw vs Wanlop Sithpolek
Let me tell you I have never been knocked out. I was never given an 8 count during a fight or knocked out.
I’ve learned knees technique with the legend Diesel Noy at Ha Pharang camp.
I’ve lost vs Rainbow in Macao because during the fourth round my nose was broken. It was hard to stand the pain until the end of the fight. I’ve been 5 times champion of France, 2 times European champion, 2 times world champion and I won against Coban in 1994 at Los Angeles. In 1995 during the King’s Birthday I won against Chainarong for the world tittle.
How did you come by the nickname “Blonde Angel”?
Because I wore white Thai shorts and I was young with blond hair.
Guillaume Kerner fights Chainarong in 1995 for the world championship
What was it like training under the legendary Pud Pad Noi?
When Pod Pad Noi taught Muay Thai he insisted on perfect technique in everything. He had a great team to train with.
13-year old Guillaume Kerner and Pud Pad Noi
It seems to be widely acknowledged by most Muay Thai fans that the 1990s were the best era in Muay Thai. Do you agree that was the best time of Muay Thai?
I agree. For example, in France we had Dany Bill, Jaid Sedak, Joe Prestia, Stephane Nikiema, Christian Garros, Mourad Sari, Dida Diafat, Moussa Sissoko, Aurelien Duarte, Christophe and Frederic Leveque, Mourad Djebli, Skarbowsky, Wilfried Montagne, Totof, Kamel Jamel and many other.
Of course we have a great champions today such as Fabio Pinca, Mabel, Meddi Zatout and many others.
If you compare times, we had more champions over the 90’s than now.
During the 90’s the media and TV closely followed competitions. Today we don’t very often see Muay Thai on TV.
What was it that made the 1990s era better than the present day?
In Thailand they agree. If you ask all Muay Thai experts in Thailand, they will tell you that the 90’s had so many great fighters like Samart Payakaroon, Chamoipet, Diesel Noi, Toto, Hippy, Sakmonkol, Jongsanan , and Boonlai.
One of your most notable fights was with Krongsak who in the past defeated Rob Kaman despite being outweighed by 10kg. What was the most memorable thing about that fight?
Krongsak was the super champion! He was a terrifying fighter who never lost in Europe. He had great legs with so much power.
My knees techniques were dominating him. Krongsak was growing really tired and he had no solution for my clinch.
He threw a right elbow and I was cut open so the doctor decided to stop the fight. After this result I was so disappointed because I was dominating the fight.
You also fought Wanpadhet who was a concurrent champion of both Lumpinee and Rajadamnern stadiums at the age of 19. How did you end up fighting such a high level Thai nak muay at such a young age?
Let me talk about my first world title I was only 15 fights for 15 wins I was 20 years old. My opponent Wanpadeth had been Lumpini and Rajadamnern champion.
I lost on points during 5 rounds Yet I touched him with high kick I was young and it was a great experience.
Soon on youtube you will see a video when I was 14 years old I had won a fight versus a Thai who were 25 years old
You trained in many camps in Thailand. What were some of the camps you trained Muay Thai in Thailand?
My first camp was Sit Sorn Thong located at Khon Khien North west of Thailand it was Pod Pad Noi camp.
Later I started training at Ha Phalang, the camp of the legend Diesel Noi who destroyed all his opponents with his knees combinations. Diesel Noi taught me a lot of his knees combinations.
I trained for my world title fight versus Chainarong for the King’s Birthday in 1995 and my camp was Sor Thanikul.
I also trained at Sityodthong Pattaya and Sor Pleonchit in Bangkok.
Kerner lands a kick on Wandpadeth
What did you learn having trained at so many different camps in Thailand?
As you know, each camp has their own techniques so I ‘ve learned different styles. Now as a coach, I will advise any fighters to go to different camps to learn more. Each trainer has his own unique method to teach.
What do you think the biggest differences are in Thai style training compared to western style training for Muay Thai?
The way Thais count points are different: only knees, kicks, elbows gives more points. The western style is more of a boxing style; always searching to get the knock out with boxing combinations.
Thais are good at clinch and they also are better at grabbing legs and knees and elbow combinations. Today westerners from all over the world have a better level than 7 years ago.
Some Thais are not good at defense versus a boxer using only boxing so that gives a chance against Thais. But some westerners have a real Thai style and they can beat any Thai fighters.
What was your proudest achievement you made in Muay Thai?
My proudest moment was when I became the world champion during the King’s Birthday in 1995.
Were there any low points for you in your Muay Thai career?
Missing the media , the press , and the TV coverage.
I understand you now have your own club for Muay Thai. What made you decide to teach?
I should teach what I’ve learned. I am open to teach Muay Thai seminars all over the world.
Rachid Saadi and Jerome Le Banner with Guillaume Kerner on the far right
What students do you have from Team Kerner that the world should look forward to seeing?
You should see students wanting to learn an authentic Muay Thai style. During a few years of training my student Mounir Bouti had been amateur world champion and he received the title of best fighter in Bangkok , Thailand.
He knocked out 2 Thais in Radjadamnern stadium in 2006/2007. Mounir has been champion of France too at 60 kg where there are a lot of people at this weight.
You now also offer international seminars. What things do you focus most on in teaching these seminars?
I want to teach from my experience. After the seminars the student get better techniques. I want to bring my Muay Thai seminars all over the world. Anyone interested can just contact me guillaumekerner@hotmail.com
What do you think is the most important lesson to learn for a new student of Muay Thai?
To me the most important lesson is to be patient. New students need the repetition of techniques to get power. They need to work on all techniques.
Do you have any final words for fans and students?
Always give the best of yourself . Muay Thai must be a passion.
You can stay up to date on Guilaume Kerner and Team Kerner at his official web site.
The January 8th, 2011 card for the Champion’s Club has been updated and some names have been added to the fights scheduled to take place in Pattaya, Thailand. Germany´s Andi Rögner completes the “1-KING” 4-Man 70kg tournament in Pattaya.
Fresh off a win against Cyrus Washington and a cut stoppage loss in the WMC I-1 Final in Hong Kong against Slovakian Vlado Moravcic, Germany´s Andi Rögner sets sight on the next big international 4-man tournament on The Champions Club. Steve Wakeling is also scheduled to make his long awaited return to action.
The known scheduled events thus far include:
WBC Muaythai World Supermiddleweight Championship
(168 lbs, 76.364 kg)
Steve Wakeling (UK) vs. Jaowchalam (TH)
“1-KING” WMC Muaythai International 4-Man Tournament
70kg Max will include
Jono Bracken (Ireland)
– IWC & IKF Muaythai Champion 70kg
2. Michael Corley (USA)
– USMF USA MuayThai Team 2008, 2009
3. Joakim Karlsson (SWEDEN)
– WMC Muaythai Swedish Champion 2009
4. Andi Rogner (GERMANY)
– WMC I-1 Finalist 2010
Tournament draw will take place in Pattaya, Thailand on Thursday, 6th January, 6pm. Thai.
The Science of 8 Limbs 