The USKBA International Sportfighting Event scheduled for June 11th in the Ukraine, is being rescheduled to July 15, 2000. Event Organizer Andrei Chistov, Vice President of the Professional Association of Martial Arts (Ukraine), met with the sponsors, politicians and backers of the event last week in Dniepropetrovsk Ukraine. The rescheduling was due to the extra time needed to coordinate the schedule of the fighters and politicians. The members of Team Ukraine were changed in order to have a sportfighter from the host city of Dniepropetrovsk on the team. The final selection of USKBA Team USA members will be made within a week. 
 

USKBA Promoter Nazim Ali, and his Connecticut's Finest Karate & Kickboxing Academy, held his first event at his new studio on May 27th. By all indications, the success of this event proved it will be the first of many events by Nazim Ali. The "TRI-STATE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP KICKBOXING" event showcased fighters from New Jersey to New Hampshire. 

The Main Event featured Michael Colon (NJ) fighting Trey Brown (NY) (see photo at left) for the vacant USKBA Amateur Welterweight Tri-State Championship Title. This scheduled four round bout matched two terrific fighters, both with great punching and kicking techniques. Each round was hard to score. Brown knocked Colon down in the fight and Colon came back with a barrage of punches and kicks to tighten the gap in scoring. When the four rounds were over, the judges scored the fight 39-37, 39-36 and 39-37 all in favor of Colon (see photo at right). Both Colon and Brown have a bright future in the sport. 

In other action: 

Female Heavyweights
Stephanie Grier (NY) def Kimberly Garver (NH) by TKO at 1:17 of the 1st Round. 
Super Lightweights
Wayne Shim (NY) def Jamal Madyun (RI) by majority decision. 
Exhibition
Pasquel "Tiger" Rouse (NY) and Jerry Hibbard (NY) fought an exhibition. 
Super Light Heavyweights
Patrick Bradbury (NY) and Doug Wilson (CT) fought to a draw. 
Middleweights
Jose Torres (CT) def George Gomez (RI) by majority decision. 
Exhibition
Leo Budin (CT) and John Melia (CT) fought an exhibition. 

Participating USKBA Member Clubs included; America's Finest Karate & Kickboxing Academy/Shihan Jonas Nunez Jr. (Elizabeth NJ), Connecticut's Finest Karate & Kickboxing Academy/Sensei Nazim Ali (Stamford CT), Sampalis Kickboxing Academy/Charles Sampalis (Warwick RI) and Mkeka-Do Kickboxing/Devon Cormack (NYC). Special USKBA Reps included Michelle Conhaim (judge) and Jerry "Fast Feet" Fontanez (coordinator) of M.C. Martial Arts (Elizabeth NJ). 

For information on future Connecticut's Finest Karate & Kickboxing events, call 203-323-KICK. 
 

USKBA Promoter John Bottone and his Ring of Fire Productions, put together an action packed kickboxing card that featured a Pro World Championship Title bout, two Amateur World Championship Title bouts, an additional Amateur Championship Title bout and a non-stop undercard. "RING OF FIRE 5" was held on May 21st at Club Krash in Queens NY.

The Main Event featured Keith "Youngblood" Youngs and Billy Maysonet (see photo at right) fighting for the vacant Pro USKBA Full Contact Super Featherweight World Championship Title. With both fighters having similar styles, people knew that this fight was going to be difficult to judge if it went to a decision. With the momentum of the fight going back and forth between the fighters, the outcome of the fight would be determined by the final rounds. At the end of ten rounds, both fighters were standing and the judges would be determining the result. One judge scored the fight 97-93 for Maysonet and two judges scored the fight 95-95 even. This fight ended in a majority draw. Both Youngs and Maysonet should be pleased with providing the audience with a lesson on kickboxing techniques.

The Amateur USKBA Full Contact Super Lightweight World Championship Title bout produced a definite winner for the vacant title. Adam Czachor and Thomas Campbell fought a tough five round battle that went to the judge's decision. Campbell proved to be a formidable opponent for Czachor. Two judges scored the fight 48-47 and one judge scored the fight 49-46 all for Czachor by unanimous decision (see photo on left). The ever amazing Czachor improved his record to 20-0.

In an Amateur USKBA Full Contact Super Middleweight World Championship Title defense, the champion Kadir Kadri would face one of the toughest challenges to his title from Steven Berkolayko. Berkolayko is one of the best young fighters in the Super Middleweight division. This fight, scheduled for five rounds, ended at 1:14 of the fourth round when referee Donnie Carolei stopped the bout after Berkolayko ignored the referee's warnings, and point deduction, for kicking low. Kadri, retaining his title (see photo at right) kept his composure throughout the fight and gave the crowd a championship performance.

In an Amateur USKBA Full Contact Light Heavyweight Tri-State Championship Title defense, champion Ken Hewski would defend his title against Ali Spina. After four rounds of fighting, the judges gave the fight to Hewski by majority decision.

In other amateur action:

Kyle Murray def Scott Marchasin by unanimous decision.
Pavel Stepanchuk def Marc Furman by TKO at :34 of Round 1.
Ionnis Chalkias def Tom McCarthy by unanimous decision.
Dennis Murphy Jr. def Danila Gorokhov by unanimous decision.
Andres Vidal def John Gilliam by unanimous decision.
Sandon Nachman and Vladimir Mrinski fought an exhibition.

Before the Main Event, some of the members of the USKBA Team USA who will be traveling to compete in the Ukraine in July in the USKBA International Sportfighting Event Series, were introduced to the crowd (see picture at left). Members of USKBA Team USA on hand were World Champion Tommy "Bee" Bottone (Coach of USKBA Team USA), World Champion Randy "The Professor" Pogue, World Champion Ruben "Legs of Stone" Colon, World Champion Devon "The Energizer" Cormack, Champion Michael Corleone and rising stars Tim Lane and JP Devine. Missing from the team was Gary Bonnenfant and Michael Avetisyan.

One of the biggest hits of the evening came from the women of RoundCardGirlz.com led by Richard Cox. All the women were knockouts. They can be seen at most USKBA sanctioned events. For information on "RING OF FIRE 6", or to order a videotape of all the action of "RING OF FIRE 5", call 631-345-0100.
 

USKBA Promoter and World Champion Angelo Di Bella hosted a spectacular kickboxing event at The Sheraton in Laval Canada on May 20th. The Ballroom of The Sheraton was filled to capacity with enthusiastic fans who came to see TEAM CANADA (see photo on left) versus TEAM USA (see photo on right) in Full Contact Kickboxing action. The event was coordinated by Donato Mancini who provided a tremendous light and sound show with the fighters entering the room through thick curtains of smoke. In addition to the kickboxing action, Referee Frank Capitanio staged a thrilling Bo Demonstration and the students of Angelo Di Bell's Karate & Kickboxing Academy performed in continuous sparring exhibitions. TEAM CANADA was coached by Angelo Di Bella and TEAM USA was coached by Dan Lucas (Mountain Storm Kickboxing, Rochester NY) and Nancy Reed-Cesan & Bill Salvatore (Chin Bo Jok Martial Arts Academy, Pittsfield MA). 

The Main Event featured USKBA Amateur Welterweight North American Champion Anthony "Iron Horse" Rossi (TEAM Canada) fighting Chad Kaczowski (Team USA). In one of the toughest matches of young Rossi's career, both fighters proved to be formidable opponents for each other. Kaczowski was able to defend himself and launch an attack. Rossi was able to withstand the attack and launch his own attacks. Both fighters showed excellent kicking and hand skills. At the end of three rounds, the judges gave the majority decision to Rossi (see photo at left). 

In other action: J.C. Volpi (Team Canada) defeated Justin Vowles (Team USA) by unanimous decision, "Lightning" Laura Cordileone (Team Canada) and Shannon Tanner (Team USA) fought to a draw, Peter Della Serra (Team Canada) stopped Charles Jewel by TKO at 1:02 of the 3rd Round, Mary Garreffa (Team Canada) defeated Michelle Loewke (Team USA) by unanimous decision and Tanya Rossi (Team Canada) defeated Lisa Kuronya by split decision. 

The next event in Canada hosted by Angelo Di Bella Karate & Kickboxing will be held in August/September 2000. For information, call 514-385-5075. 
 

USKBA Welterweight United States Champion, Tommy "The Warrior" Rodriguez, and his wife, are the proud parents of a future USKBA World Champion baby girl...Jessica Kathrine. Jessica Kathrine Rodriguez officially weighed in at 8 lbs 10 oz and will be fighting in the Super Infantweight Division. She will be challenging her daddy for many years to come. 

We congratulate Mr. & Mrs. Rodriguez on this joyous occasion. Well wishers can send their personal thoughts by e-mailing them at kickboxer@uskba.com and typing T. Rodriguez in the subject line. 
 

USKBA Promoter Angelo Di Bella will host an amateur kickboxing event featuring TEAM CANADA versus TEAM USA. This event will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Laval Canada on Saturday, May 20th. 

Team Canada will consist of Anthony Rossi, Laura Cordileone, J.C. Volpi, Peter Della Serra, Mary Garreffa and Tanya Rossi. Team USA will consist of students from USKBA Member Clubs Mountain Storm Kickboxing in Rochester NY and Shannon Tanner and Chad Kaczowski from Chin Bo Jok Martial Arts Academy in Pittsfield MA. 

A limited number of tickets are available. For tickets and additional information, call Angelo Di Bella Karate & Kickboxing at 514-385-5075.

On Sunday, May 21st, USKBA Promoter John Bottone will present "RING OF FIRE 5" at Club Krash in Astoria NY. The Main Event will have Keith "Youngblood" Youngs fighting Billy Maysonette for the USKBA Full Contact Super Featherweight World Championship Title. The Feature Match will have Adam Czachor and Thomas Campbell fighting for the USKBA Amateur Full Contact Super Lightweight World Championship Title.

The undercard will showcase some of the best kickboxers in the area. For tickets and additional information, call 631-345-0100.

USKBA Super Welterweight Intercontinental Champion Gary Bonenfant has accepted his selection to be a member of the USKBA TEAM USA that will be traveling to the Ukraine to compete in the USKBA International Sportfighting Event Series in June. The event is scheduled to take place on June 11, 2000 in the city of Dniepropetrovsk Ukraine. A team of eight fighters will be chosen to become members of USKBA TEAM USA. TEAM USA will be competing against Team Ukraine in Full Contact Kickboxing, Boxing and Pride bouts.

Bonenfant, who will be fighting Serguei Lapinski (Team Ukraine), will be joining Randy "The Professor" Pogue, Devon "The Energizer" Cormack, Ruben "Legs of Stone" Colon and Tim Lane as members of USKBA TEAM USA. The remaining members of USKBA TEAM USA will be selected shortly.
 

USKBA Promoters Bruce and Lucinda Marshall, and their Trilogy/Black Belt Productions, staged their fourth installment of their "BOSTON MASSACRE" series on May 12th at the Wonderland Dog Track in Revere MA. The event was highlighted by super kickboxing matches and martial art demonstrations.

In the Main Event, Dan "The Lizard" Lucas successfully defended his Pro USKBA New England Heavyweight Championship Title against Jason "The Trooper" Bonacorsi (see picture at left). Lucas won by a majority decision. The judges scored the fight 49-47, 50-50, 50-49.

The Co-Main Event was to have Alison King fighting Patty O'Rourke for the Amateur USKBA Female Featherweight World Championship Title. The day before the fight, O'Rourke pulled out due to a bout with bronchitis. O'Rourke was unable to fight and King was awarded the title (see picture at right...Alison King with Bruce Marshall).

The Feature Bout of the evening was the Pro debuts of Franky "Baby Boy" Nieves and Billy McNeil (see picture at left). This fight was scheduled for five rounds. Both Nieves and McNeil were accomplished amateurs. Nieves, always a solid puncher and kicker, proved too much for McNeil. The referee stopped the contest at 1:29 of the third round for the winner by TKO...Nieves.

In a special Juniors bout, Justin Rumrill def Larry Bateman by unanimous decision to win the Rock'em Sock'em Championship Title.

In other action:

Bill Croteau def Darren Aho by TKO in the 1st Round.
Bill Toussaint def James Cassidy by TKO at :36 of the 3rd Round.
Andrea Perry def Melinda Carlton by majority decision.
Khary Pina def Giovanni Monroy by unanimous decision.

Trilogy/Black Belt Production's next kickboxing event will be on July 14th at the Wonderland Dog Track in Revere MA. For additional information, call 978-465-5538.
 

USKBA Professional Kickboxer Tim Lane has accepted his selection to be a member of the USKBA TEAM USA that will be traveling to the Ukraine to compete in the USKBA International Sportfighting Event Series in June. The event is scheduled to take place on June 11, 2000 in the city of Dniepropetrovsk Ukraine. A team of eight fighters will be chosen to become members of USKBA TEAM USA. TEAM USA will be competing against Team Ukraine in Full Contact Kickboxing, Boxing and Pride bouts.

Lane, who will be fighting Nikolai Korenev (Team Ukraine), will be joining Randy "The Professor" Pogue, Devon "The Energizer" Cormack and Ruben "Legs of Stone" Colon as members of USKBA TEAM USA. The remaining members of USKBA TEAM USA will be selected shortly.

USKBA Promoters Bruce and Lucinda Marshall (see picture at left, l to r...Bruce and Lucinda Marshall and Jean Yves Theriault) and their Trilogy/Black Belt Productions are bringing the fourth show of their "THE BOSTON MASSACRE" series to the Wonderland Dog Track in Revere MA tonight May 12th. Headlining the action will be USKBA Heavyweight New England Champion Dan "The Lizard" Lucas defending his title against Jason "The Trooper" Bonacorsi. The Feature Bout will have the Pro debuts of Franky "Baby Boy" Nieves and Billy McNeil. The undercard will showcase some of the best kickboxing talent in the Northeast and spectacular martial arts demonstrations and exhibitions.

For tickets and information, call 978-465-5538. The Wonderland Dog Track is located just outside of Boston MA.
 

USKBA Promoter Louis Neglia and Ray Longo staged the eighth installment of their "VENGEANCE AT THE VANDERBILT" series on May 6th in Plainview NY. The full card of fights was second in number to the capacity crowd. The Vanderbilt was packed with enthusiastic fans who had come to see a night of Full Contact Kickboxing, International Rules Kickboxing and Free-Style Grappling.

Up for the taking was the USKBA Grappling Heavyweight Northeast Championship Title. This bout featured Nick Serra going against Tim Woods(see photo at left). Serra had been known to make his opponents tap out usually within 40 seconds. Woods, an accomplished grappler, was set on winning the title. Both men worked at taking the other down. At 1 minute and 28 seconds into the match, Woods tapped out and Serra was declared the winner. Woods proved to be a formidable opponent with grappling skills, but Serra's experience in submission holds proved to be the difference in the fight.

The Main Event featured Mike "Fighting Irish" Ryan defending his KICK North American Heavyweight Championship Title against Ruben "Legs of Stone" Colon. Both fighters were familiar with each other having seen each other fight and having fought each other in the past. This time, Ryan had the title and Colon wanted it. After seven rounds, the decision went to the judge's scorecards. The judges scored the fight 67-67, 68-68 and 66-66....a draw. Ryan retains his title.

The Co-Main Event saw Michael Corleone defend his KICK Tri-State Title against Steve Genova. After five hard fought rounds, the judges scored the fight 50-44, 50-45 and 50-44 all in favor of the new KICK Tri-State Champion...Genova.

In other bouts:

James Onnikian def Derek Riddick by TKO at 1:29 of Round 3 (FC).
Mark def Randy Colebaudh by unanimous decision (IR).
Steve Anshelewitz def Kyle DeMello at 1:11 by submission (GR).
Steven Berkolayko def Michael McCloud by majority decision (FC).
Hitalo Soares def Kenny Robertson by unanimous decision (IR).
Igor Shachvrost def Herbie Chavarria by unanimous decision (IR).
Alex Ricci def Gypsy by unanimous decision (IR).
Joe Panariello def Mohammad Cardan by TKO at the beginning of Round 2 (FC).
Camilo Kato Pavone def Eric Zyehowilz at 3:40 by submission (GR).
Colin Barr def Jim Perez by majority decision (IR).
Craig Monda def Mitch Henig by unanimous decision (FC).
Danielle Levine def Karen Whitbread by TKO at 1:10 of Round 2 (IR).
J.B. Kaghado def Eddie Anieves by unanimous decision (FC).
Tarem Roberson def Dimitry Vovk by unanimous decision (IR).
Brian Long def Mike Bernardi by unanimous decision (FC).

This card was sanctioned by the USKBA and KICK. For information on future USKBA Promoter Louis Neglia events, call 718-372-9089 or log onto www.uskba.com.
 

USKBA Super Light Heavyweight Full Contact World Champion Louis "Bad Boy" Ruiz (see picture at left, Ruiz surrounded by the girls of roundcardgirlz.com) successfully defended his title against USKBA Cruiserweight Full Contact World Champion Henry "The Hitman" Nieves in a battle that turned into a war. Before a packed house, Ruiz retained his title by a close majority decision. Many spectators were heard saying that this was one of the best kickboxing bouts they had ever seen (see picture at right). The action was furious and non-stop throughout the entire ten rounds with both fighters missing the mandatory minimum kicks in multiple rounds. The word "rematch" could be heard throughout the crowd.

USKBA Promoter Michelle Conhaim arranged one of the most exciting kickboxing events at Jimmy's Bronx Cafe in The Bronx NY on May 6th. The "BATTLE IN THE BRONX 2" thrilled the audience with well matched bouts and spectacular demonstrations. The Feature Bout saw George Johnson and Steven Berkolayko fighting for the USKBA Amateur Super Middleweight Full Contact Tri-State Championship Title. After four rounds, the judges scored it in favor of Berkolayko by majority decision (see picture at left). In another title bout, Carlos Rodriguez and Frank D'Ambra fought for the USKBA Amateur Heavyweight Full Contact Tri-State Championship Title. Rodriguez won by unanimous decision. In a special Kids Junior Full Contact Bout, Marc Furman defeated Emanuel Maganinho by unanimous decision (see picture at right).

In other amateur bouts:

Antonio Toribio def Ken Hewski by unanimous decision (FC).
Stepanie Grier def Pamela Philips by unanimous decision (FC).
Vladimir Mrinsky def Mohammad Rezadaeisadeghi by unanimous decision (IR).
Santina Motyka and Edyta Windelbandt fought to a draw.
Miki Foged def David Kellmer by unanimous decision.
Ismat Niazov and Jerry Hibbard fought to a draw.
Juan Lopez def Angel Garcia by unanimous decision.
Lamont Forin def Brian Bird by unanimous decision.
James Chaliz def Jerry Lormand by TKO at 1:31 of 3rd Round.

For information on USKBA Promoter Michelle Conhaim's next event, call M.C. Martial Arts at 908-558-0400.
 

USKBA Kickboxing Champion Ruben "Legs of Stone" Colon has accepted his selection to be a member of the USKBA TEAM USA that will be traveling to the Ukraine to compete in the USKBA International Sportfighting Event Series in June. The event is scheduled to take place on June 11, 2000 in the city of Dneprpetrovsk Ukraine. A team of eight fighters will be chosen to become members of USKBA TEAM USA. TEAM USA will be competing against Team Ukraine in Full Contact Kickboxing, Boxing and Pride bouts.

Colon, who will be fighting Igor Pilipenko (Team Ukraine),  will be joining Randy "The Professor" Pogue and Devon "The Energizer" Cormack as members of USKBA TEAM USA. The remaining members of USKBA TEAM USA will be selected shortly.
 

USKBA Promoter and World Kickboxing Champion Louis Neglia and Ray Longo are bringing "VENGEANCE AT THE VANDERBILT 8" to The Vanderbilt in Plainview NY this Saturday May 6th. One of the featured bouts will be a Free-Style Grappling Match between Nick Serra and Tom Woods for the USKBA Cruiserweight Northeast Grappling Championship Title. Also scheduled to fight will be: Mike "Fighting Irish" Ryan vs Ruben "Legs of Stone" Colon (FC), Michael Corleone vs Steve Genova (FC), Steve Anshelewitz vs Kyle Demello (GR), Camilo Kato Pavone vs Eric Zyehowilz (GR), Alex Cice vs Ellis Peters (FC), James Onnikian vs Derek Riddick (FC), Joey Panariello vs Mohammad Cardan (FC), Michael McCloud vs Octavio Almeida (FC), Mike Bernardi vs Brian Long (FC), Craig Monda vs Mitch Henig (FC), Eddie Anievas vs J.B. Kaghado (FC), Teddy Benitez vs Fernando Hall (FC), Herbie Chavarria vs Igor Shachvrost (IR), Kenny Robertson vs Hitalo Soares (IR), Danielle Levine vs Karen Whitbread (IR), Colin Barr vs Jim Perez (IR), Gypsy vs Henri Lee (IR) and Tarem Roberson vs Dimitry Vovk (IR). Fighters are subject to change.

This event is sanctioned by the USKBA and KICK. Fight time is 8:00 pm. The Vanderbilt is located off of Exit 48 of the L.I.E. in Plainview NY. For ticket information, call 718-372-9089, 516-294-6313 or 718-357-7274.
 

USKBA Promoter Michelle Conhaim is putting the final touches on her "BATTLE IN THE BRONX 2" World Championship Kickboxing Event to be held this Saturday May 6th at Jimmy's Bronx Cafe in The Bronx NY. The Main Event will feature two USKBA World Champions fighting each other for one World Championship Title. USKBA Super Light Heavyweight World Champion Luis "Bad Boy" Ruiz will defend his title against newly crowned USKBA Cruiserweight World Champion Henry "The Hitman" Nieves. Nieves will be dropping weight to fight Ruiz in a bout that has been over two years in the making. Due to injuries and conflicts in schedules, this match has never gone off...until now. For two years, people have speculated on whether Ruiz or Nieves would win if they fought. On Saturday night, the speculation comes to an end. Both fighters have been training hard for this bout and, when asked, both fighters each believe they will win.

The amateur undercard will feature USKBA Championship bouts of George Johnson vs Stephen Berkolayko and Alex Alonso vs Frank D'Ambra. Also on the card will be: Ken Hewski, Antonio Toribio, Brian Byrd, Hisham Haouzi, Vladimir Mrinsky, Mikki Foged, Dave Kellner, Jerry Lormand, James Chaliz, Lamont Forin, Juan Lopez, Angel Garcia, Santina Motyka, Edyta Wundebandt, Emanuel Maganinho, Marco Furman and more.

For tickets and information, call M.C. Martial Arts at 908-558-0400. Fight time is 2:00 pm.