"BATTLE ON BROADWAY" EVENT TO BE SHOWN ON MSG-TV NETWORK THIS SATURDAY

USKBA Promoter World Champion Louis Neglia (see photo at left) will have his USKBA Sanctioned "BATTLE ON BROADWAY" sportfighting event broadcast this Saturday, March 30th at 4:30 pm on the MSG-TV Network. The MSG-TV Network can be seen on cable TV and also on satellite TV. The TV show is entitled "Professional Kickboxing Tour" and is produced by ESPY-TV. The commentators are John Burke and George Strickland. Check your local listings for "Martial Art World Professional Kickboxing Tour".

DON "THE DRAGON" WILSON AND TOMMY "BEE" BOTTONE MIX IT UP FOR CHARITY ON "RING OF FIRE 9"

Don "The Dragon" Wilson came to "RING OF FIRE 9" to fight a three round exhibition with USKBA Super Middleweight World Champion Tommy "Bee" Bottone to benefit the families of the NYPD ESU and Bomb Squad units involved in the 9-11 tragedy. The audience delighted to Wilson's flashy kicks and trading punches with Bottone. In Wilson's corner was Alan Goldberg, publisher of Action Martial Arts Magazine. Wilson has completed the soon to be released movie "Redemption" and will soon be kickboxing in Atlantic City on a pay-per-view special.

USKBA Promoters John and Tom Bottone (Ring of Fire Productions) brought the ninth installment of their "RING OF FIRE" series to the John Danzi Arena in Patchogue NY on March 23, 2002. This event featured professional and amateur kickboxing and muay thai bouts.

USKBA Light Heavyweight Champion KADIR KADRI put his U.S. Title on the line against FRANK D'AMBRA in a seven round bout (see photo at left...l to r; Frank D'Ambra and Kadir Kadri). The bout went the distance with neither fighter going to the canvas. Kadir showed his experience while D'Ambra proved a worthy opponent. The decision went to the judge's scorecards. Judge Cignoli scored the bout 69-64, Judge Olcese scored the bout 68-65 and Judge Mauro scored the bout 70-63 all in favor of the winner by unanimous decision.... Kadir Kadri. Kadri retains his USKBA Championship Title.

In the Co-Main Event, "EXTREME" LACOSTA andKEITH "The Hammer" NESBITT were scheduled to go five rounds of Muay Thai action. Action it was...from the opening bell to the end of the bout. Lacosta came out with leg kicks and Muay Thai clinches and seemed to control the fight from the first few seconds. Nesbitt attempted to fight back but ended up on the canvas by way of Lacosta's leg kicks. Lacosta showed everyone his talent and abilities in the Muay Thai ring. At 1:40 of the first round, Referee Fred Corritone called an end to the bout after Nesbitt was felled by a Lacosta leg kick. The winner by TKO.... "Extreme" Lacosta.

In a bout for the USKBA Amateur Full Contact Featherweight World Championship Title, LENNOX CHANCE and KENNY KEYES were scheduled to go four rounds. Chance came into the bout with a few more bouts than Keyes had under his belt. But anyone who has seen Keyes fight, knows that he gives his all and can fight with the best of them. Chance wanted to prove that he is the best of them. At times, Keyes seemed to have lost his footing and fell on the canvas. However, in each round, Keyes also ended up on the canvas courtesy of the powerful Chance. In the fourth round, Keyes knew he had to score a knockout to win. A knockout ended the bout. Only Chance was the one who KO'd Keyes. Chance had devastating punches and kicks throughout the entire bout. At 1:28 of the fourth round, Referee Pat Sullivan called an end to the bout. The winner by TKO and USKBA Amateur Full Contact Featherweight World Champion.... Lennox Chance.

In a scheduled four round pro bout, "King" KEN HEWSKI attempted to continue his unbeaten streak as a pro kickboxer. This time he was going against a tough and ready RICHARD MEDINA. Medina is known as a hard hitter with good kicks. There was no feeling out period as both fighters went right to punching and kicking. They both worked on the inside and outside. Medina was able to land a hard punch to Hewski's head. Hewski answered it with shots of his own. Two judges gave the first round to Hewski, while one judge gave the round to Medina. The second round belonged to Hewski after scoring a knockdown of Medina. The third round proved to be the final round as Hewski again knocked Medina to the canvas. This time, Referee Fred Corritone stopped the bout at 1:40 (see photo at left). The winner by TKO and still unbeaten.... Ken Hewski.

In another scheduled four round pro bout, BOBBY CAMPBELL and ROBERT BURLEY attempted to add a win to their professional kickboxing records. Only this day, one would walk away with the win, the other a loss. The punches and kicks were flying as both fighters looked for that one punch/kick that would knock the other out. Campbell was able to land hard punches and kicks that sent Burley to the canvas in the first round. At the end of the round, Burley was bleeding from the nose and seemed to be drained. During the break between rounds, Referee Fred Corritone went to Burley's corner and came out waving his hands that the bout was over.  Burley was unable to answer the bell for the second round. The winner by TKO at 2:00 of the first round.... Bobby Campbell. 

In other action
ISKA Amateur Female North American Championship
CHRISSY YANDOLLI def MARTINE CLEMENT by split decision.
Full Contact Kickboxing
KYLE MURRAY def BRIAN WILLIAMS by unanimous decision.
Full Contact Kickboxing
JENNIE NEDELL def MARTINE CLEMENT by split decision.
Full Contact Kickboxing
ADAM CZACHOR def JESSIE RAI by unanimous decision.
Full Contact Kickboxing
RON MURRAY and GEOFFREY COMAN fought an exhibition.
Muay Thai
TERENCE CONNER def ALEX BESSONOV by unanimous decision.
Full Contact Kickboxing
RAY POOLE def MIKE AVILA by unanimous decision.
Full Contact Kickboxing
JENNIFER SWEENEY and CHRISTINE SMIGIEL fought an exhibition.
Kids Kickboxing
BENJAMIN ASHOROV and CONNOR McGORRY fought an exhibition.

For information on future "RING OF FIRE" events, go to website: www.ringoffirekickboxing.com, or e-mail: tommybeeatafc@yahoo.com. Phone number 1-866-LOW-KICK.^

"RING OF FIRE 9" BENEFIT EVENT SET FOR THIS WEEKEND

USKBA Promoters John and Tom Bottone (Ring of Fire Productions) are ready for their "RING OF FIRE 9" event this Saturday, March 23, 2002 at the John Danzi Arena at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue NY.

PRESS RELEASE:

Don "The Dragon" Wilson vs Tommy "Bee" Bottone in a "fight for charity". Ring of Fire Kickboxing will be doing our 9th major kickboxing show on March 23, 2002. This event will be a direct fundraiser for the Twin Towers Scholarship Fund for the children of the NYPD ESU and Bomb Squad. This event will be held at the John Danzi Arena at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue NY. The arena seats 3,000 spectators. This event will be taped for television by Avolon Entertainment. This event will feature pro and amateur fighters in Kickboxing / Low Kick / Muay Thai / San Shou / Freestyle Grappling.

Muay Thai
  "EXTREME" Lacosta vs Keith "The Hammer" Nesbitt
  Terrance O'Conner (USA) vs Alex Bessonov (Russia)
World USKBA Amateur Featherweight Title fight
  Lennox Chance vs Kenny Keyes
USA VS CANADA
  Melvin Robinson (USA) vs Abu Zayd Nawaz (CAN)
  Kyle Murray (USA) vs Hazaart Gafoor (CAN)
  Adam Czachor (USA) vs Jessie Rhai (CAN)
Women's Kickboxing
  Featuring World Kickboxing Champion Chrissy Yandolli (USA) vs Martine Clement (CAN)
  Jenny Nedell (USA) vs Alexandra Nikolic (CAN)
Additional pro bouts
  Kadir Kadri (LI, NY) vs Frank D'Ambra (Rochester NY)
  Ken Hewski (NY) vs Richard Medina (NJ)
  Bobby Campbell (NY) vs Robert Burley (NJ)
Amateur Middleweights
  Jeff Coleman vs Mike Giordano
Amateur Cruiserweights
  Oswaldo Nunez (NJ) vs Mike Avila (MA)
Amateur Heavyweights
  Ray Poole (NY) vs Randy Oliveira (MA)
Kids Exhibition Fight
  Conner McGorry vs Mathew (Boradin's Gym)
Freestyle Grappling Exhibition
  Jordan Pergola (USA) vs Oleg Savitsky (Russia)

For additional information go to website: www.ringoffirekickboxing.com, or e-mail: tommybeeatafc@yahoo.com. Phone number 1-866-LOW-KICK

VENTURA SCORES TENTH ROUND KO TO CAPTURE ISKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

In a bout reminiscent of a good old fashioned brawl, USKBA Super Middleweight United States Champion TONY "TNT" VENTURA went toe to toe with USKBA Middleweight North American Champion MUZAMMAL "Abu Zayd" NAWAZ for the vacant ISKA Super Middleweight World Championship Title. This bout took place on "WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP KICKBOXING" from Club Jokers in New Bedford MA on Saturday, March 16, 2002.

This bout had Ventura on the canvas early. He was able to get up before the ten count by referee Robert Kimber. Up to that point, the fight looked like a toss up. Both fighters were ready, willing and definitely able. After the knockdown by Nawaz, Ventura got up and pushed the fight. At no time did Ventura or Nawaz back down. Ventura was able to return the favor and put Nawaz on the canvas. In the tenth round Nawaz went down and Referee Kimber counted to ten (see photo at left). The winner by KO at :46 of the tenth round and new ISKA Super Middleweight World Champion...Tony "TNT" Ventura. ISKA Chairman Robert Mason was on hand to present Ventura with the championship belt (see photo above).

In another professional kickboxing bout, JASON ARRUDA needed less than two minutes to end his scheduled four round bout with Canada's MARTIN "Crash" CANTIN. Both fighters came out looking to put the other away. The end came at 1:56 of the first round.

In other Full Contact Kickboxing bouts
RANDY OLIVEIRA (USA) def SANDY PEMBROKE (CAN) by unanimous decision.
WALTER BAIARDI (USA) and DEVON RAMSDEN (CAN) fought an exhibition.
JASON QUICK (USA) def KERRY HENDREN (CAN) by unanimous decision.
JOHN SANCES def ROSS DUGAN by TKO at 1:32 of Round 2.
KERRY WINTERSON (USA) and RANDY MORRISON (CAN) fought an exhibition.

"WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP KICKBOXING" was promoted by Mike Avila and co-sanctioned by ISKA and the USKBA. The Massachusetts Boxing Commission was on hand to govern the event. The undercard featured Team USA vs Team Canada with Team USA winning the USA/CANADA Team Competition.^

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USKBA WITHDRAWS SANCTIONING OF NAWAZ/ROBINSON BOUT

The USKBA has withdrawn the sanctioning and insurance of the Muzammal Nawaz/Melvin Robinson bout scheduled for March 23, 2002 on RING OF FIRE 9. This decision is based on the rules governing the USKBA as it relates to fighters being permitted to fight after a recorded decision of sustaining a "knockout". This bout is co-sanctioned by the WPKA and is for the WPKA World Championship Title. Although the USKBA has withdrawn sanctioning and insurance, the WPKA and the promoters will decide if the bout goes on.

WORLD CHAMPION ANGELO DI BELLA'S NIECE TO COMPETE IN TALENT SHOW

World Champion Kickboxer Angelo "The Italian Tornado" Di Bella has brightened the sports arena with his talent. Now it's time for his niece to shine. Not in the ring, but on the stage. Her name is "STEPHANIE" and she's embarking on a journey that will surely see her conquering all that is put before her. She is a singer. However, that is too simple to describe what she does. She mesmerizes the audience with her performing talent and vocal renditions. She gives life to songs. Her abilities are far above someone her age. She is 15 years old. Actually, her abilities are far above anyone at any age.

On Sunday, March 17, 2002 at 3:00 pm, "STEPHANIE" will be competing in an annual talent contest called SUPERFANTASTICO, organized by Montreal's local Italian radio station CFMB, 1280 AM RADIO. The talent contest will take place at Place Des Arts, 175 Sainte-Catherine West in Montreal Quebec.

Her uncle, as well as her family and friends, will surely be there to watch as "STEPHANIE" takes the stage to thrill the audience. Everyone at the USKBA wishes the best of luck to "STEPHANIE" as she takes another step toward following in her uncle's footsteps at being the best in the world.

USKBA "SPORTFIGHTING CLOSE UP" TV SHOW TO DEBUT THIS SATURDAY

It's finally arriving in the New England area. This coming Saturday night (Sunday morning) at 1:00 am, "SPORTFIGHTING CLOSE UP" will make it's debut on WNDS-TV. WNDS-TV can be see in over 2,000,000 cable homes from Maine to Massachusetts. "SPORTFIGHTING CLOSE UP" will air a new show the first and third Saturdays (Sundays) at 1:00 am every month.

"SPORTFIGHTING CLOSE UP" will be hosted by JONAS NUNEZ JR. (see photo at right) and SEAN ALVAREZ (see photo at left). Nunez brings his many years of kickboxing and sportfighting experience to this show. Nunez has spent many years in competition winning hundreds of trophies and first place finishes. He also is president of the PKF and has spent the last six years working with the USKBA. Nunez owns and operates America's Finast Karate & Kickboxing Academies throughout the tri-state area. Alvarez is well known on the grappling circuit having won numerous titles and championships including being a member of the Abu Dhabi Combat Club. He is currently hard at work building a state of the art gym in White Plains NY and training future champions as part of Team Ground Control.

The first event that will be shown will be USKBA Promoter Bruce Marshall's (Trilogy/Black Belt Productions) "EXTREME GRAPPLING CHALLENGE" event that was held on February 8, 2002. All future USKBA Sanctioned-Trilogy/Black Belt Production events will also be taped for broadcast. Future shows will also contain highlights and footage from additional USKBA Sanctioned events in the area.

"SPORTFIGHTING CLOSE UP" is sponsored in part by OVERHEAD DOOR of Massachusetts and BOOTS AND SADDLES of Massachusetts. All interested sponsors, fighters, advertisers, promoters, viewers, or anyone wanting additional information on "SPORTFIGHTING CLOSE UP" on WNDS-TV, e-mail the USKBA at sportfighting@uskba.com or call 212-760-4766.

USKBA Super Middleweight United States Champion TONY "TNT" VENTURA (see photo at left) will face USKBA Middleweight North American Champion MUZAMMAL "Abu Zayd" NAWAZ (see photo at right) for the vacant ISKA Super Middleweight World Championship Title. This fight will take place on "WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP KICKBOXING" from Club Jokers in New Bedford MA on Saturday, March 16, 2002.

This event will be co-sanctioned by ISKA and the USKBA. Mike Avila is the promoter and the Massachusetts Boxing Commission will be there to govern the event. The undercard will have JASON ARRUDA making his second appearance as a professional kickboxer and five additional amateur kickboxing bouts. For tickets and/or additional information, call 508-991-5929.

TIM "Bring The Pain" LANE SCORES IN THE RING AND WITH ARTICLE IN NEWSDAY

Newly crowned USKBA Full Contact Super Lightweight World Champion TIM "Bring the Pain" LANE won the title and won recognition from the media. As discussed in the article appearing in the Wednesday, March 6, 2002 edition of Newsday, Lane hopes to continue his rise through the realm of kickboxing by capturing the world titles from additional sanctioning organizations.

The article on Lane gives an insight into the person who just might be the next fighter to unify the world championship titles. Lane, trained by USKBA Full Contact Super Heavyweight World Champion DEREK PANZA is one kickboxer who goes all out in every bout he fights. If you see the name TIM "Bring the Pain" LANE on an event, you know you're in for an exhilarating performance that epitomizes the 'sport of kickboxing'.

OVER 14,000 PEOPLE FILL PROSPECT PARK FOR ALEX GUTMACHER'S "RUSSIAN WINTERFEST"

USKBA International Representative ALEX GUTMACHER switched hats and put together one of the most entertaining festivals New York has ever seen. His "RUSSIAN WINTERFEST" festival took place in Prospect Park, Brooklyn NY on February 23-24, 2002. An estimated crowd of over 14,000 people packed the park to hear Russian music, watch Russian dances and thrill to "Russian Fistfighting". If that wasn't enough, the park was arranged with booths that contained Russian toys, Russian glassware, Russian gifts and Russian food. It was fun for the entire family as kids had their faces painted, met with strolling ducks, bears and clowns and were entertained by a puppet show. One of the highlights of Sunday's activities was watching a Russian weight lifter break the world record for amount of times a bowling ball size weight could be lifted over his head. He held the record and wanted to break his record this day. It took him over 3 hours to break his previous record. He totaled 2002 times lifting the weight above his head.

With all the planning that goes into of a project of this enormity, it wasn't until literally hours before the opening ceremonies that the final permit from New York City arrived. Gutmacher had made arrangements to fly Russian entertainers and sports figures from all over to attend this festival.SHIHAN JONAS NUNEZ JR. presided over the entertainment and announced to the thousands of spectators what they were about to see. He even informed the crowd of the efforts of the weight lifting record throughout the day. One of the biggest ovations was given to Special Guest OLEG "The Russian Bear" TAKTAROV (see photo at left...l to r; Oleg Taktarov and Alex Gutmacher). Taktarov, managed and trained by USKBA International Executive Director GENE FABRIKANT and fresh from completing the newly released movie remake "Rollerball", flew in from California for the "RUSSIAN WINTERFEST". Earlier in the day, Taktarov and another Gene Fabrikant fighter RENAT MYRZABEKOV toyed around with various grappling techniques. This happened while Fabrikant worked with the fighters who were about to be part of the "Russian Fistfighting" for the "RUSSIAN WINTERFEST' festival. One of the invited fighters for the "Russian Fistfighting" was OLEG PRUDIUS, a giant of a man, standing 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 290 lbs (see photo at right...Oleg Prudius raising chair while standing over fallen fighters).

With the enormous success of this years' "RUSSIAN WINTERFEST", Gutmacher will begin work on next years' festival immediately. When reached for comment about next year's planned "RUSSIAN WINTERFEST", all he could say was "Bigger and Better". We can hardly wait.

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GENE FABRIKANT WORKING WITH THE BEST

USKBA International Executive Director GENE FABRIKANT has a secret. It's a big secret. It stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weights a mere 290 pounds. It goes by the name of OLEG PRUDIUS. Remember that name. Prudius is destined for fame.

In the Ukraine, Prudius was the Ukraine Sambo Champion and a European Football Champion. He moved to California and excelled in American football. Fabrikant is working with Prudius and there are hopes, and negotiations, with the WWF. Fabrikant is also working on Prudius fighting on his April 18, 2002 "INTERNATIONAL FIGHT NIGHT" event at the Atlantic Oceana in Brooklyn NY.

Fabrikant works with the likes of Oleg "The Russian Bear" Taktarov, Moti "The Hammer" Horenstein, Renat Myrzabekov and many other great fighters. It was an unforgettable scene recently as Taktarov, Myrzabekov and Prudius met under the tutelage of Fabrikant at Borodin's Gym in Brooklyn (see photo at right...l to r; Oleg Taktarov and Renat Myrzabekov). The secret is out on Prudius. Just looking at him, you get the feeling this is a special person. We'll follow his progress.