USKBA PROMOTER LOUIS NEGLIA GIVES BACK TO COMMUNITY

USKBA Promoter World Kickboxing Champion Louis Neglia (Louis Neglia Martial Arts Karate) started the year 2002 by making a donation of $500 to Engine Company 214 of Brooklyn NY in honor of their firefighters lost during the 9-11 tragedy. Firefighter Joseph Honan (pictured at right with Louis Neglia) accepted the check on behalf of Engine Company 214 and their fallen comrades Ken Watson, Carl Bedigian, John Florio, Mike Roberts and Lieutenant Chris Sullivan.

"Some people think I was tough. But I'm nothing compared to those who risked and lost their lives on 9-11. They are the ultimate fighters and they are the real champions of our world" stated Louis Neglia. He went on to say "I hope the sorrow their families suffered is somehow eased by the consolation that comes from knowing their relatives are true heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the hope of saving others. How many people actually lived with heroes. These families were very blessed."

USKBA Promoter World Kickboxing Champion Louis Neglia vowed to continue to make a donation each year so as not to forget, and always appreciate, our fallen heroes and their special families.

USKBA PROMOTER SAMPALIS FINDS NEW HOME FOR HIS SPORTFIGHTING EVENTS

Throughout the last two years, USKBA Promoter Charlie Sampalis (Sampalis Kickboxing) has held successful sportfighting events at the Riviera Club in Cranston, Rhode Island. That is...until now. Due to conflicting schedules at the Riviera Club, Sampalis was forced to find a new home for his events. He didn't have to look far, only to Pawtucket, minutes from Cranston. The new home for his "SUPERBOUTS" series of events will be Manfredo's Gym, 179 Conant Street in Pawtucket RI.

Manfredo's Gym is owned and operated by professional trainer and former World Kickboxing Champion Peter Manfredo (see photo at right...Peter Manfredo pictured with his son Peter Manfredo Jr, undefeated professional boxer). USKBA Sanctioned events have been held at Manfredo's Gym in the past. Manfredo has been an accommodating host and excellent referee. The pairing of Sampalis' events and Manfredo's Gym will guarantee successful sportfighting events on a regular basis in Rhode Island.

The first "SUPERBOUTS" event is scheduled for April 20, 2002. All amateur fighters interested in fighting in Rhode Island should call Sampalis Kickboxing at 401-419-3871, or Manfredo's Gym at 401-723-1359.

USKBA BOOTH AT ATLANTIC CITY TRADE SHOW BUSY WITH VISITORS

Over the course of two days, January 18-19, 2002, a diversity of people stopped by the USKBA booth at this year's "Action Martial Arts Magazine Expo and Trade Show" in Atlantic City, New Jersey (pictured at left...l to r; Ric Pascetta of CDT, UFC Champion Dan Severn of the DangerZone and Keith Mintzer). Alan Goldberg, organizer of the trade show and owner of Action Martial Arts Magazine, arranged an event that featured martial art and motion picture celebrities, martial artand kickboxing organizations, kickboxing promoters, studio and gym owners, martial art and kickboxing students, martial art and kickboxing enthusiasts and the general public.

USKBA Champion Kickboxer Tom Ingargiola, Shaolin Self Defense Centers, stopped by the USKBA booth (see photo at right...l to r; Tom Ingargiola and Keith Mintzer) to discuss his ideas and plans as they relate to kickboxing. Ingargiola is the penultimate businessman with a never ending supply of ideas. He just received a patent on a footwear product called "KIDD-PRO-TEK". "KIDD-PRO-TEK" features a tracking system in footwear and will also be incorporated to protect personal items such as laptop computers and bicycles from theft. Ingargiola was on hand to give a seminar to the attendees of the expo and trade show (see photo at left). Ingargiola trains USKBA Kickboxing Champion Kadir. Kadir recently won the KICK World Championship Title and will be featured on USKBA Promoter World Champion Louis Neglia's "THUNDER IN TIMES SQUARE" on February 23, 2002. Kadir will defend his KICK title and go after the USKBA World Title when he faces the USKBA World Champion Luis "Bad Boy" Ruiz.

Another valued visitor to the USKBA booth, was a dear friend of the USKBA and well known martial artist Marty Manual (see photo at right...Marty Manual watches as George Dillman applies a pressure technique to one of Marty's students). Marty, who recently recovered from a bout with pneumonia, talked about his continued desire to be a judge for USKBA Sanctioned events. It looks like Marty will get his wish as plans are now developing for holding the "USKBA 2002 Garden State Kickboxing Championships" in September 2002 in New Jersey.

The appearances of Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Cynthia Rothrock, Dan Severn, Becky Levi, Joe Piscopo, Shorty of Gunsmoke fame, Ron VanClief, Eric Lee, and many others, made this a memorable event. Some of the contacts made at the USKBA booth, were with promoters in Texas, Florida, Washington DC, California and Connecticut. The USKBA looks forward to continue talks to sanction events in their respective areas. Some of the visitors to the USKBA booth included USKBA World Champions Tommy "Bee" Bottone and Randy "The Perfessor" Pogue. World Kickboxing Champion and Boxing Champion Olando "The Warrior" Rivera stopped by to talk about future bouts. Legendary martial artist Mike Anderson and ISKA President Robert Mason stopped by to talk kickboxing.

The USKBA would like to thank everyone who stopped by the USKBA booth to chat, get information and exchange ideas. The experience was worth the trip.

USKBA WORLD CHAMPION DAN "THE LIZARD" FEATURED IN INTERVIEW

Want to learn more about USKBA Full Contact Kickboxing Heavyweight World Champion DAN "The Lizard" LUCAS? Visit the Man-Magazine Website at www.man-magazine.com/uk/. The website has a picture of Frank Shamrock on the home page. The link to the article on Lucas can be found on the right side of the page "Dan Lucas - an exclusive interview". On the Man-Magazine Website, you can also vote for the fighter you think will win the K-1 Qualifier. Lucas is trained by USKBA World Champion Tommy "Bee" Bottone and is sponsored by well known businessman Marcus Robinson (see photo at right). 

According to the IKF Website, USKBA Full Contact Kickboxing Heavyweight World Champion DAN "The Lizard" LUCAS will be now be fighting CARTER WILLIAMS in the K-1 U.S. Qualifier scheduled for February 9, 2002 in Milwaukee WI, USA. Through a process of eliminating bouts, the winner is scheduled to participate in the K-1 USA bouts tentatively scheduled for Las Vegas later in the year. The grand prize will be winning and traveling to Japan for the final K-1 series.

The K-1 U.S. Qualifier is being promoted by Duke Roufus Gym and sanctioned by the IKF. For additional information, contact Scott Joffe at 414-319-1151 or 414-305-3474 or by e-mail at: HeavyweightGladiators@webtv.net.

USKBA KICKBOXER ALICIA ASHLEY BOXES WORLD CHAMPION TO A DRAW

The venue... The Venetian Hotel and Casino. The location...Las Vegas, Nevada. The promoter... Johnny "Yahya" McClain (Laila Ali's husband). The opponent... IFBA Featherweight World Champion Layla McCarter. McCarter is from California and Las Vegas. Ashley (see photo at left...Ashley on the left) is from New York. Both McCarter and Ashley are kickboxers. Although this bout was scheduled six round non title bout, Ashley was determined to give her all. McCarter wanted to look good for her hometown fans. Neither fighter went down in the fight. McCarter had a bloodied nose. After six rounds, the judges called the fight a draw. A rematch is being discussed.

Another fight that is waiting to be made is Alicia Ashley (New York) fighting Kelli Cofer (Ohio). Both these fighters are established kickboxers and Golden Gloves winners. Both these fighters are pursuing a boxing and kickboxing career. Both these fighters are willing to fight boxing or kickboxing. Cofer's next fight is a boxing bout on February 22, 2002 in Ohio. Ashley is awaiting word on her next bout. Theses ladies are two excellent fighters on the right track. Unfortunately, or fortunately for all fight fans, they are two trains on the same track, coming from different directions, heading for each other. When these two finally meet, be ready for non stop action and tremendous fighting techniques. We will keep you posted on their careers.

To find out additional information on female boxing, visit the WBAN Website at www.womenboxing.com. Top copyright photo courtesy of Mary Ann Owen, www.Boxinginlasvegas.com. 

The second printing of new USKBAwear USKBA T-shirts is done. The first printing sold out in less then one month. The new USKBA Sportfighting T-shirts features the USKBA logo on a heavyweight cotton blend white t-shirt. All adult sizes are available.

The new USKBA Sportfighting T-shirts have been test marketed through sales at recent USKBA Sanctioned events and have been well received with brisk sales. To purchase USKBA Sportfighting T-shirts, e-mail sales@uskba.com and place a reservation. Additional payment and shipping information will be e-mailed back to you. Each t-shirt is $20 plus $3.50 shipping and handling. USKBA Licensed Sportfighters and current members will save up to 20% when purchasing these shirts online...because we will pay shipping and handling.

Studio and club owners can have their information and logo printed on the reverse side of USKBA Sportfighting T-shirts at a nominal charge. For additional information on this program, e-mail info@uskba.com.

USKBA TO PARTICIPATE IN EXPO AND TRADE SHOW IN ATLANTIC CITY

The USKBA will be participating in "ACTION MARTIAL ARTS MAGAZINE'S EXPO AND TRADE SHOW" to be held on January 18-19, 2002 at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City NJ. The USKBA will have a booth where visitors can come and receive valuable information on joining the USKBA and on purchasing USKBAgear and USKBAwear. Show Specials will be offered.

As reported by Action Martial Arts Magazine, confirmed Special Guests include; Joe Piscopo, Phil Morris, Cynthia Rothrock, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Dan "The Beast" Severn, Bob Wall, Eric Lee, Grand Master Pan, Mike DePasquale and Frank Dux. Many other Special Guests are expected.

For event information, contact Alan Goldberg, Action Martial Arts Magazine, at 718-856-8070.

It's official...on Saturday, February 23, 2002, at USKBA Promoter World Champion Louis Neglia's "THUNDER IN TIMES SQUARE", USKBA Full Contact Super Lightweight World Champion MARCO SIES will defend his title against TIM LANE. Sies has held onto the title since defeating the title holder KEITH NESBITT on July 21, 2000. Lane has been busy defeating every opponent put before him. And in dramatic fashion...by knockout. On June 30, 2001, Sies and Lane met in a non-title bout. Sies was cut above the eye early in the fight. Lane put Sies on the canvas. At 1:42 into the fourth round, Lane stopped Sies by TKO.

Sies is set on keeping his title. Lane is set on taking it away. Sies is from Chile where he was the Chilean National Kickboxing Champion. While Sies has the ring experience, Lane comes into the fight with a determination and skill that has earned him a shot at the title. Will Sies' experience and technique overcome Lane's determination and technique? On February 23, 2002, everyone in attendance at "THUNDER IN TIMES SQUARE" will find out. For tickets and information, call 718-372-9089.

USKBA KICKBOXER SCORES A KO IN THE RING OF BIG BUSINESS

Submitted for posting... On December 31, 2001, USKBA NYS Full Contact Kickboxing Champion THOMAS INGARGIOLA (pictured below) closed a major deal with a Mahattan NY firm to launch a new product he developed. His new venture will be called "PRO-TEK INDUSTRIES" and will feature his US patented footwear called "KIDD-PRO-TEK". "KIDD-PRO-TEK" is similar to the highly popular Lojack (R) system curently used by police departments to track stolen vehicles. "KIDD-PRO-TEK" will feature a tracking system in footwear and will also be incorporated to protect personal items such as laptop computers and bicycles from theft. Look out for his new product line in a store near you this summer.