By Mike LNg
Anuwat journeys to Paris to do battle with Haccine Bennoui from the January 2010 card Thailand Versus France: La Nuit Des Titans. This would be Anuwat’s last bout before heading to fight at the MSA at MEN event in the UK.
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By Mike LNg
Not much to say about this. So I am going to let the video do the talking for me. Having been to WCK cards in the past this looks like this going to be another memorable and exciting night. Check out WCK’s official site for more details on tickets and prices.
Now for the goods.
Also check the interview with Craig “Bullet” Buchanan leading up to this event.
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By Mike LNg
Craig “The Bullet” Buchanan is the current IKKC and WBC United States middle weight champion. Craig has an overall record of 16-3 and will be defending his WBC United States title won in January 2009 against IKF #3 ranked Kwame Stephens April 17th, 2010 In Primm Nevada on the WCK Muay Thai card. Craig trains his students at the Bullet Hole Training Center located in Victorville, California.
Craig 'The Bullet' Buchanan aims a kick
Most people may not know that you had a start in classical martial arts. What made you decide to choose a ring sport and martial art like Muay Thai?
I wanted to see if what I was learning was going to work in reality situations which led me to the ring of competitions.
How do you feel your roots in classical martial arts has impacted your style in Muay Thai?
It has given me the ability to adapt to adverse situations and added to my arsenal of weapons.
What sort of adjustments did you have to make for the transition from international rules kickboxing to Muay Thai?
I had to learn to deal with leg kicks, to learn how to deal with fighting in the clinch, and to watch for knees and elbows.
What in your opinion is the biggest differences between the American style of Muay Thai and the Thai style of Muay Thai?
The biggest difference is the way they throw knees and elbows to the head.
How do you feel the United States Muay Thai scene is developing compared to the rest of the world?
I feel the sport has evolved nicely. The scene is growing. The interest of outsiders is greater.
You have a unique job of teaching both conventional Muay Thai and Muay Thai for MMA. What are some of the things in Muay Thai you adapt specifically for MMA?
We focus on keeping most kicks to the waistline and below and being strong in the clinch to avoid the take down.
For a beginning student what’s the most important thing they should learn?
Discipline and patience.
Craig Buchanan delivers a knee
Have you ever become good friends with former opponents?
Not necessarily good friends but I have gained a lot of respect for former opponents.
Who was your toughest opponent so far and what made them hardest to fight against?
John Hale from Manchester, England due to the fact that I fractured my right ulna in the third round of the fight and I still finished to take a victory.
What inspires you to fight?
Personal satisfaction and wanting to keep my skills at the top of the game, and the thrill of competition.
Do you prefer fighting with elbows or no elbows?
It doesn’t matter too much. When fighting with elbows you must be more alert on the inside.
Do you have a favorite technique in Muay Thai?
The one that works the best because all fighters are different.
Having fought under different rules how did you adapt to Full Rules Muay Thai?
Just had to be aware of the fact that you could fight inside and outside when in the clinch.
Who would be the dream fight for you if you could fight any opponent?
I don’t have a dream fight.
If you could get a rematch with any opponent who would it be?
It would have to be Malaipet because the first time we fought. I feel I did not lose the fight. My belt was taken from me on a bad decision.
The Bullet bangs
Can you tell us about the challenge once issued to Duane Ludwig?
When Duane first came on to the scene, the challenge to compete with each other was made and denied. After the challenge I suffered a ruptured achilles tendon. Shortly after that he said he was willing to fight. Personally, I could care less. I’m not hungry for such a fight.
You are pretty involved in Civic and community service. Can you tell us about these activities?
I train a lot of law enforcement. I train a lot of military and I do projects with the local schools, churches, boy scouts and girl scouts.
What other sports do you follow other than Muay Thai?
I enjoy rock climbing, ice climbing, scuba diving, backpacking, and camping. When spending time on the couch, I enjoy watching football and NASCAR.
Do you have any words for your fans before closing?
Thank you for all of your support. Your respect and gratitude are very much appreciated. It is for the love of all my fans that makes me train so hard for a competition.
Much thanks to Craig Buchanan for granting the interview and his time in answering the questions. Craig will be defending his US WBC Muay Thai title against Kwame Stephens on the April 17th, 2010 WCK Muay Thai card. You can keep up with Craig and his gym at his official site. Thanks for reading!
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By MLNg
The Kedah Royal Cup is coming back for 2010. Two more Z1 champions have yet to be crowned and this the one it happens in. The card thus far is not yet complete but its going to be big over the course of two days. 20 boxers from different countries will be included. The excellent Boxx Tomoi site will likely be posting more details as they become know.
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By MLNg
Zhang Kai Yin
Day 3 of the fights between Sanda and Muay Thai is here at last. Next is Wehad Versus Zhang Kai yin on day three of the 3-19-2010 to 3-21-2010 three-day Sanda versus Muay Thai event. Zhang is the very same fighter that infamously knocked out Lamsongkram Chutwattana in the style versus style challenge match. Wehad also returns after a previously fought challenge match.
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By Mike LNg and Saul Khan
Today we peer into the often unseen Asawindum Muay Thai camp. It’s very rare that one gets a chance to look into the inner workings of this famous camp. So rare is this opportunity some foreigners even believed the gym was closed. In fact the gym is still open and operating and in Bangkok but difficult to find and not easily accessible by bus.
Asawindum’s oldest and most famous fighter is “Burlek Pinsinchaï” ( Thailand Champion 1983 and 1984, Lumpinee Champion 1986 and 1987) who runs his own camp in the Lampang region (North), The Burlek Gym. The other big name from Asawindum is Thailand Pinsinchaï (3 times Lumpinee Champion, Radjadmanen Champion and Thailand Champion) who is now retired from fighting. Asawindum has also trained notable international boxers in Maxsaisai Pinsinchai and Petchtapee Pinsinchai.
It’s not been open in the past to foreign visitors so this camp tour coincides with the newly open policy allowing foreigners to train there. This marks a pretty historic move and of course allows unprecedented access into Asawindum. With an insider’s perspective, Saul Khan provides an inside look and an overview of some of the training.
Much thanks to Saul Khan for the photos and information!
Asawindum interior
Because of the secrecy surrounding the camp, not many people have ever seen Asawindum only the fighters when they arrive in the ring.
Due to the quality of the fighters people believe all sorts of things about the gym: that it’s a high tech training facility replete with specialized equipment and doctors of all varieties run tests and the boxers are covered in diagnostic equipment.
I’ve heard people say these things but having experienced it, the gym is completely different to imagining it.
It turns out high tech equipment doesn’t make fighters, having the latest and greatest medical and sporting advice on hand doesn’t make great fighters. Asawindum gym believes you’ll only make it with a lot of blood and sweat!
A future star of Asawindum in the making
I’ll be the first to tell you that this gym is old school Muay Thai with a sweat soaked and stained ring for wrestling and sparring, and 7 sandbags, which have been sewed and resewed so many times they look like patchwork. There are 2 old weight machines which are barely used, 2 sets of dumbbells and one bar. You can lift yourself onto the ceiling supports for doing chin ups. Don’t expect a soft padded floor. Here you train on the concrete. There’s no running machine at Asawindum, we run on the concrete floor. There is no air conditioning and training stops for nothing in the heat. Training is 366 days a year: Christmas there is training, New Year’s day there is training. Every day the boys are building themselves for fighting.
This is essentially all you need to make the best Muay Thai fighters in the world, that and some lessons in real Muay Thai.
Training is extremely hard here and it is usually for 6 or more hours a day, 7 days a week. At Asawindum the boxers put hours and hours into every technique. The basics are used each and every day so you are always prepared.
Bag work
At Asawindum the Pinsinchais teach extremely devastating advanced Muay Thai. Once all the basics are locked down you can begin learning how to use advanced Muay Thai skills to really damage opponents. Pinsinchai trains specifically to bypass a boxer’s guard. There’s a way around a boxer’s defense to kick him in the head. At Pinsinchai they also focus on getting past the closer range to attack with hands and elbows.
The training is in short grueling but with definite rewards. I have to emphasize this is not a gym for training casual enthusiasts or hobbyists. The regimen is hard and rough. Egos are not advised at Asawindum and invariably egos are trimmed with quick reality checks that comes from hard training. If you can live without amenities and ready comforts you can learn real Muay Thai. There are cooks on site and a staff of people who keep the gym clean.
Pinsinchai/Asawindum gym has always been an extremely closed society. In the past Asawindum only opened to elite fighters who receive a recommendation to join the gym. Asking to join the gym would have been an extremely embarrassing experience as there was a high chance of being turned away. Now though Pinsinchai/Asawindum is opening to all people to do the same workout as the real Thai champions. Here you’ll be taught to fight like real Thai champions and to build that relentless spirit that comes from training with the best in the business.
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by Fatsoking
It looks like It’s Showtime’s success warranted a 2nd season of their reality TV show. I enjoyed the 1st show even if it was modified Muay Thai. Unlike the Contender the matches were much more even. There weren’t silly challenges like ice chipping it was all about fighting. One of the finalists last season was Cosmo Alexander of Brazil and he is now busily fighting on the It’s Showtime circuit. The event will be called: Test of Champions
Enfusion cast
The cast is also truly international with fighters from the Canada to South Africa. $40,000 will be awarded to the final winner after competing in tournament style fights. All fighters will be in the 70 kg division probably the most hotly contested weight in Muay Thai internationally. Some of the familiar names are there. There are definitely some interesting names in the mix, including K-1 MAX star Gago Drago, Pajonsuk, Armen Petrosyan, and Sahin Yakut.
Melvin Manhooef who was going to be a coach unfortunately had to withdraw due to injury. Filming is already in progress and hopefully episodes will be seen soon.
The fighters are divided into 4 teams and coached by different fighters.
All fighters and coaches are currently in Thailand, and shooting has begun. Some interesting pictures have already been released, including photos from some of the fights. Click here for a photo gallery, and here for a promo video.
At this time, there is no news on the show being broadcast in the US, and all European broadcasting news is still in progress.
FIGHTERS: Pajonsuk (Thailand), Rick Barnhill (England), Armen Petrosian (Italy), Vuyisile Colossa (South Africa), Mikael Lallemand (France), Cyrus Washington (USA), Sucz Barnabas (Romania), Sahin ‘Kaas’ Yakut (Turkey), Goran Aleksic (Serbia), Jan Van Denderen (Belgium), Steve Moxon (Australia), Pasi Lukanen (Finland), Mirko Vorkapic (Slovenia), Bruno Carvalho (Portugal), Alex Tobiasson (Sweden), Frank Peredes (Peru), Shane Campbell (Canada), Gago Drago (Armenia).
COACHES: Titiana van Polanen (Netherlands), Bernise Alldis (England), Catarina Valerio (Portugal), Eva Berben (Belgium)
Here’s the trailer:
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By Fatsoking
More Muay Thai versus Kung Fu from the 2nd day of the 3-day show in ChongQing city of China on 3-21-2010.
Amin Thor Pranthaksin Versus Wang Guan on day two of the 3-19-2010 to 3-21-2010 three-day Sanda versus Muay Thai event.
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By Fatsoking
Apocalix poster
The Apocalix Muay Thai event is drawing closer. And it occurs to me that some may not know of some the fighters highlighting a pretty awesome card. It should be explained why this is truly an incredible event featuring some of the best talent of Muay Thai in one ring.
Without further ado here are some of the fighters participating in this event.
First is Kem Sitsongpeenong.
Kem Sitsongpeenong
Kem’s resume includes top-tier accomplishments in Thailand and internationally. Kem comes from the Sitsongpeenong gym in Thailand. Kem’s titles thus far are:
Kem will be fighting Mabel Adallah.
Mabel Abdallah
Mabel Abdallah stands out as 4X champion in full contact kickboxing as well as Muay Thai. Mabel’s record as of December 2009 stands at 75wins, 10 losses, 1 draw and an impressive 41 knockouts! Mabel fights out of St.Fons Gym in France.
Fabio Pinca is a gym mate of Mabel’s from St.Fons Gym in France. Fabio has experience that belies his young age having fought Attachai, Bovy, and the legendary Saenchai Sor Kingstar.
Fabio Pinca
Fabio’s record is 86 fights, 74 wins, 12 losses and an impressive 30 knockouts. Fabio is the current WBC Muay Thai 140lbs world champion, 2X French Muay Thai champion, WPKC European kickboxing champion, and a WBC Muay Thai international champion.
Fabio will be fighting Kem Sitsongpeenong’s gym mate Sittichai Sitsongpeenong. Like Kem Sittichai’s accomplishments in Muay Thai are also impressive.
Sittichai Sitsongpeenong
Sittichai Sitsongpeenong’s record is 55 wins, 22 losses and 3 draws. Among Sittichai’s accomplishments are a number 6 ranking in Lumpinee Stadium, a #6 ranking in Thailand and a WBC Muay Thai rank of #2.
Sharos Huyer comes out of Italy’s Calzolari Milano DE Gym.
Sharos Huyer
With wins in Rajadamnern and Lumpinee Stadiums Sharos won the Ayudtaya World Nai Kanom Thom belt. Sharos’ record stands at 22 wins, 3 losses and 7 knockouts. Sharos will be fighting Michael Piscitello from France’s Nasser Gym.
Michael Piscitello
Michael has been A WKN European Champion and a WMC Muay Thai Intercontinental Champion. Michael has also fought at Rajadamnen stadium in Thailand. Anyone wishing to attend can get a reduced price ticket and get into the venue before everyone else at the Gotti Promotion site.
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The Science of 8 Limbs
The Science of 8 Limbs 
Muay Thai and Tomoi: Blood Brothers
•April 8, 2010 • Leave a CommentTomoi and Muay Thai: Blood Brothers
By MLNg
I’ve been asked recently to examine the nature of the relationship between Muay Thai and Malay Tomoi. So as I set to my task I realized that there has been much written about this topic in fairly alarmingly broad defining strokes by its authors (see the wikipedia article). I have never seen this topic given a balanced viewpoint in published form ever. This will be my attempt.
Tomoi students
On one hand many western authors of these articles have made a far too homogenized and frankly stereotypical overview on Tomoi and Muay Thai as a basic archetype of a Southeast Asian ringsport that looks alike to them. At the other end of the extreme authors seem eager to focus on the ethnic and regional differences above all else and ignore the common ground altogether that Tomoi and Muay Thai share. To understand the differences and similarities wholly one has to understand some history.
The truth is in the details and as much differences as the two arts and sports have, they have more characteristics in common than not. For example, in traditional silat a boxer performs the Kembungan, flower dance. The dance is performed to align the body with postures to ensure a balance and protection. It also was to call upon the divine creator to increase your skill. In Muay Thai a boxer performs the wai kru to honor their gym, teacher, and their opponent. The similarities in performing the dances are undeniable. However, so are the differences. If only different in intent and not cosmetic appearance the differences are notable and important in defining both the origin and spiritual significance in each.
Unfortunately the history of ancient Tomoi and Muay Thai is largely undocumented leaving speculation for possible answers. What I find to be the most likely answer to the origins of both is that Muay Thai and Tomoi had a common ancestor dating back to the time when the region of Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Pahand and what is now known as modern Thailand were one place. The traditional pre-fight dance became divergent in practice and meaning as Thailand became primarily Buddhist and Malaysia became primarily Muslim. This to me is the most logical answer given what is known of a largely undocumented period of time for this ancient sport. Any other scenario becomes largely a discussion of which came first and invariably its subject to the same things that make the which came first: chicken or the egg discussions ultimately fruitless. Except to serve to stoke the flames of nationalism and not truth I find these discussions nearly pointless.
The other fact that is certain is that due to separation and Thailand’s quick growth as ringsport in Thailand: Tomoi and Muay Thai began to diverge. As a ringsport Muay Thai is so broadly practiced and so commonly televised that Muay Thai’s public presence and ring presence became the dominant sport. Once again there are various authors that would disagree on the basis of a largely cultural bias. But it is difficult to argue against Thailand’s progress and dominance of its sport both internationally and in Thailand as a simple immutable fact.
As of 2006 Malaysia began to enjoy a revival in Muay Thai. Events became more widely promoted and Malaysia became host to many international competitors in Muay Thai including the Z-1 Muay Thai events. In the modern era Tomoi and Muay Thai have become virtually interchangeable terms to describe this ringsport. While the differences in origin are notable and in my opinion important enough not to be dismissed Muay Thai and Tomoi share more common ground. Both have deep spiritual roots, both are noted for the effectiveness in ring sport and as a means of self-defense, and both are from the same part of the world.
It’s enough that both should be considered as brothers just as Thais and Malay are of the same family. The differences are enough to make the family tree of Tomoi and Muay Thai interesting but not enough to wholly divide them. Thanks for reading.
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Posted in Commentary
Tags: Malaysia, Muay Thai, Thailand, Tomi