and USKBA ACTION SPORTS NEWS MARCH 2003 ARCHIVE
 "GARDEN
STATE KARATE INVITATIONAL GAMES" BLOWS AWAY THE COMPETITION IN NEW JERSEYAnother year...another tournament. The consistency
remains and the competitors, guests and spectators love it. The "GARDEN
STATE KARATE INVITATIONAL GAMES" is known for always starting on time. Promoters Mel and Karen Klein of KAM
SPORTS in Emerson NJ (see
photo above; Mel and Karen Klein pictured with World Karate Champion Jerry
"Fastfeet" Fontanez) put on another
superb martial arts tournament where hundreds of competitors from all over
the Northeast United States came to compete for the bragging rights of
"GSKIG
Champion". Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do...Kata, Kumite, Weapons, Self
Defense...Team Competition, Individual Competition...you name it, it was
there. Men, women and children of all ages and levels competed for medals,
trophies, a DVD player and a bicycle. The final results of the "2003GARDEN
STATE KARATE INVITATIONAL GAMES" will be posted on the KAM
SPORTS website located at www.kamsports.com.
If you missed this event, contact Mel Klein at 201-265-4847 for information
on competing on the next one.
 SCHEDULE
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO USKBA ACTION SPORTS
"CALENDAR OF EVENTS"The following events have been rescheduled or added to the USKBA ACTION SPORTS June 2003 Calendar of Events;
USKBA Member Club Release...New York, NY – As part of NYKK Gym’s continuing efforts to popularize San Shou/San Da fighting and introduce it as a valuable compliment to the MMA athlete's training regime, we are pleased to announce two new specialized programs. The first of these is “6 Weeks To Better Stand-Up Fighting” which is the perfect program for the MMA athlete who desires a quick improvement to their stand up skills and/or for those who want to try out San Shou/San Da for the first time on a trial basis. “6 Weeks To Better Stand-Up Fighting” is an introductory course in San Shou/San Da as it skills directly relate to the MMA arena. Participants will learn both how to strike an opponent attempting to take them down and how to use striking to set up their own takedowns. They will learn San Shou/San Da’s unique takedowns and kick catches, with awareness of how these techniques will create smooth transitions to ground fighting for the MMA arena. In addition, the staff of NYKK Gym is now available to design specific short term preparation for both professional and amateur MMA athletes. If you would like to sharpen your stand-up skills before a major event, we will design the appropriate program. You will have an opportunity to train with members of NYKK Gym’s championship team, the #1 San Shou/San Da team in the country. Simply contact us with the details of how much time you have and what you are seeking to improve and we will tailor the appropriate program. We will also assist you with travel and lodging arrangements. For more information contact:
 UPDATES:
The following "COMBATZONE" Updates have been made:
New Seating Plan and Ticket information
 TONY
VENTURA WINS PKF WORLD TITLE AT "MARCH MADNESS" IN MASSACHUSETTSIt was the Main Event for a show that featured Full Contact Kickboxing and Grappling bouts. It was a scheduled 10 Round bout for the vacant PKF Light Heavyweight World Championship Title. The two fighters competing to walk away with the title were TONY "TNT" VENTURA and MELVIN "The Beast" ROBINSON. Both fighters were not new to world championship bouts having fought for many sanctioning organizations. This time, they were fighting for the PKF World Title. On hand for this bout was PKF President Jonas Nunez Jr. The packed house had come to see their local favorite, Ventura, attempt to stake his claim to another world title (he holds the ISKA World Title). But Robinson was there to see that the PKF title goes back with him to Maryland. This championship bout had more ups and downs
than a roller coaster. The first three rounds went to Ventura on two judges'
scorecards. The fourth round saw all 3 judges giving the round to
"MARCH MADNESS" was USKBA ACTION SPORTS Sanctioned under the auspices of the Massachusetts Boxing Commission. For information on future USKBA Promoter TNT Kickboxing events, call 508-991-5929.
 ^WELCOME
USKBA ACTION SPORTS LICENSED FIGHTERS W/E 03-09-03 The USKBA welcomes the following newly licensed, or renewal, fighters to it's family:
SCHEDULE CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO USKBA ACTION SPORTS "CALENDAR OF EVENTS" The following events have been rescheduled or added to the USKBA ACTION SPORTS Calendar of Events;
 "TNT"
SET TO EXPLODE THIS WEEKEND AT "MARCH MADNESS" IN MASSACHUSETTSUSKBA ACTION SPORTS
Promoter TNT KICKBOXING will hold "MARCH
MADNESS" this Saturday night, March 15, 2003, at Club Jokers in New
Bedford MA. The Main Event will feature
REKONIZE SPORTS NAMED AS "OFFICIAL KICKBOXING UNIFORM" OF USKBA ACTION SPORTS
 TERENCE
CONNOR WINS MUAY THAI TITLE AT ACTION PACKED "BATTLEGROUNDS 3"USKBA ACTION SPORTS
Promoter Ace Ramirez (Unlimited Arts Promotions)
held the third installment of his "BATTLEGROUNDS" series on March
8, 2003 before a packed house in Bergenfield NJ. The Main Event featured
a three round battle for the USKBA Amateur Muay Thai Light Heavyweight
U.S. Championship Title between TERENCE CONNOR (Extreme "BATTLEGROUNDS 3" showcased some terrific
amateur Muay In other Muay Thai action:
 MMA
IN MASSACHUSETTS SCORES BIG WITH "X-TREME FIGHTING / BATTLE IN TAUNTON
3"USKBA ACTION SPORTS
Promoter Don Banville (JBA Promotions)
scored a knockout
The Feature Bout had JACK WELBY vs GREG BROWN. For people who knew these fighters, this was going to be a much anticipated and hard fought bout. And hard fought it was. The end of the bout came at 3:57 in the first round by way of Armbar. The winner by submission ...Greg Brown. Undercard Bouts BRIAN WILSON def BILL LUFF
The studios supporting this event were; JBA,
The Boneyard, Reality Self Defense, South Shore Sportfighting, Sityodtong,
Auburn BJJ, Strike Zone MMA, Fastlane Fight Club, Martial Arts Academy
of Kingston and Team Endgame. The referee was Bob Kimber
and the USKBA Representative was Bruce Marshall. For information
on future USKBA ACTION SPORTS
Promoter Don Banville (JBA Promotions)
events, or for information on the Grappling Tournament scheduled for April
12, 2003 in Somerset MA, call 508-801-3963.
^WELCOME
NEW
USKBA ACTION SPORTS LICENSED FIGHTERS AND PROMOTER - W/E 03-02-03 The USKBA welcomes the following newly licensed fighters to it's family:
JBA PROMOTIONS
To find out more about USKBA ACTION SPORTS Licensed Fighters, go to their profiles in their respective weight divisions in our USKBA Champions and Licensed Fighters section. If you're a fighter who would like to be licensed by the USKBA and have your information appear on our website, e-mail us at info@uskba.com, or print out the application by clicking here. Please include a mailing address to receive the requested paperwork. USKBA ACTION SPORTS...we work for you!
 "BATTLEGROUNDS
3" READY FOR ACTION THIS WEEKEND IN NEW JERSEYUSKBA ACTION SPORTS Promoter Ace Ramirez (Unlimited Arts Promotions) is offering "BATTLEGROUNDS 3", his third installment of his "BATTLEGROUNDS" series, this Saturday, March 8, 2003. The event will be held at Step By Step in Bergenfield NJ and will begin at 6:00 pm. The Main Event will feature TERENCE CONNER vs STEPHEN RICHARDS fighting for the USKBA Amateur Muay Thai Light Heavyweight United States Championship Title. The undercard will showcase fighters from; IMATC, Extreme Muay Thai, Maisonet Muay Thai, Cool Hearts Muay Thai, Progressive Martial Arts, Team Suriyasak and Varlaro's Martial Arts. Advance tickets may be purchased by calling 201-387-1811. For additional information, visit www.battlegroundsUSA.com.
RESULTS IN FROM "BATTLE AT UNISON 2" IN MONTREAL With each "BATTLE AT UNISON" event, USKBA
ACTION SPORTS Promoter Angelo Di Bella (Angelo
Di Bella Karate & Kickboxing)
improves on the previous event. This time, "BATTLE AT UNISON 2",
held on March 1, 2003 at The Main Event of the evening featured ANTHONY
ROSSI (Angelo Di Bella Karate & Kickboxing) going against
BRAD
LESCARD (Kwartha Kickboxing) in a 3 round bout. Rossi, The Featured Bouts were; PIETRO DELLA SERRA(Angelo Di Bella Karate
& Kickboxing) vs GREG CORKERY(Kwartha Kickboxing).
Corkery came in as the bigger of the two fighters and Della Serra (see
photo at left...Della Serra in silver pants)
came in JULIEN NERI (Angelo Di Bella Karate
& Kickboxing) vs TIM KEARNS (Kwartha Kickboxing).
With Kearns coming in with 4 fights and Neri (see
photo at right...Neri in black and yellow) coming
in with 2 fights, this bout JULIE MESSINA (Angelo Di Bella Karate
& Kickboxing) vs HEATHER ASHBOURNE (Kwartha Kickboxing).
Both these fighters are proof of why female fighters are exciting to watch.
Both fighters came into the bout with a determination to walk away with
the win. The first round EMERSON TURNIER(Angelo Di Bella Karate
& Kickboxing) vs TYLER WILSON(Kwartha Kickboxing).
PRO BOXING DEBUTS OF LUCAS AND NESBITT WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL APRIL The pro boxing debuts of USKBA Full Contact
Kickboxing Heavyweight World Champion DAN "The Lizard" LUCAS and former
USKBA
Full Contact Kickboxing Super Lightweight World Champion KEITH "The Hammer"
NESBITT scheduled for March 6, 2003 is on hold. The event, scheduled
to have been held at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester NY, has been rescheduled
to April 2003.
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On
Sunday, March 23, 2003, in East Brunswick NJ, it was no different. At 10:00
am sharp, the Parade of Competitors began. The "parade" is where
the hundreds of competitors and Officials line up and enter the gym to
the applause of the hundreds of spectators. Then came the induction of
new members into the "GARDEN STATE KARATE INVITATIONAL GAMES HALL OF
FAME" and the introduction of all GSKIG Hall of Fame past inductees
on hand.
Robinson.
Ventura won the fifth round on two judges' scorecards. Robinson won the
sixth round on two judges' scorecards, but lost a point when Referee
Steve Sturgeon issued a one point deduction to Robinson for a low kick.
Robinson won the seventh and eighth rounds on two judges' scorecards. The
ninth round went to Ventura on two judges' scorecards. Not knowing the
scoring, both Ventura and Robinson came out for the final round with KO
in their eyes. In a round where one might expect to see both fighters tired,
the action was non-stop. In the hardest fought round of the evening, Ventura
seemed to reach back and find a reserve that had all three judges giving
him the round. At the end of ten rounds, the judges were called on to render
a decision. Judge D'Agostino scored the bout 97-92 for Ventura. Judge White
scored the bout 95-94 for Robinson. Judge Zychowitz scored the bout 96-93
for the winner by split decision ...Tony Ventura. (pictured
at top with PKF President Jonas Nunez Jr. and the USKBAbabes).
USKBA
ACTION SPORTS Promoter TNT KICKBOXING held
"MARCH
MADNESS" on March 15, 2003, at Club Jokers in New Bedford MA. The venue
was
filled to capacity with enthusiastic fans who came to support their local
favorites. They also 
showed
their approval for all the fighters by clapping for everyone at the end
of each bout. Promoter Bruce Marshall (Trilogy/Black Belt Productions)
was on hand to receive a special award, from PKF President Jonas Nunez
Jr. (see photo at left),
for all the work he has done to help promote kickboxing. The enthusiastic
crowd cheered all the bouts and roared when USKBAbabesPaige
and Brenda came out to do their thing
(see
photo at right).
In
a scheduled three round bout for the vacant USKBA Amateur Full Contact
Kickboxing Heavyweight Eastcoast Championship Title, RANDY OLIVEIRA
faced off against DEREK WATSON. The first round saw Oliveira and
Watson 
battling
toe to toe with Oliveira getting the upper hand on the judges' scorecards.
In the second round, Oliveira sent Watson to the canvas. Watson didn't
stay down and came back to mix it up with Oliveira. The third round saw
Watson continuing to stay in there with Oliveira and trade punches and
kicks. Oliveira was able to come away as the more effective fighter. At
the end of three rounds, all the judges scored the fight 30-26 in favor
of the winner by unanimous decision ...Randy Oliveira.
In
a pro bout, ERIC PINARRETA and STEAVE "Awesome" WILLIAMS
squared off against each other in a scheduled five rounder. Pinarreta was
coming off a long layoff due to injuries. Williams was also coming off
a layoff. The first two rounds were "feeling out" rounds for both fighters.
Pinarreta, known for his aggressive fighting style, tried to push the fight.
Williams, a veteran kickboxer, used the entire ring to move out of Pinarreta's
reach. The third round was the toughest round to score with both fighters
trying to do enough to win the round. At the end of five rounds, the judges'
scoring was 49-46, 49-46 and 50-45 all in favor of the winner by unanimous
decision ...Eric Pinarreta.
In
another scheduled five round pro bout, JASON ARRUDA faced off against
DULANEY
MUHAMMAD. This was a step up in competition for Arruda. Muhammad is
known as one of the best kickboxers in his weight division having fought
some of the top names in the sport. Muhammad came out strong winning the
first round on all three judges' scorecards. The second round belonged
to Muhammad as two out of three judges gave him the round. Perhaps this
was a wake up call for Arruda who proceeded to take control of the fight
and win the last three rounds on all three judges' scorecards. Both fighters
showed the crowd how kickboxing should be fought. At the end of five rounds,
the judges' scoring was 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47 for the winner by unanimous
decision ...Jason Arruda.
In
other action:
TONY
"TNT" VENTURA going against MELVIN "The Beast" ROBINSON for
the PKF Light Heavyweight World Championship Title. In addition,
JASON
ARRUDA is scheduled to fight DULANY MUHAMMAD and ERIC PINARETTA
is scheduled to fight STEVE WILLIAMS to round off the pro fights.
In an amateur bout for the USKBA Amateur Full Contact Heavyweight Eastcoast
Championship Title, RANDY OLIVEIRA will face off against DEREK
WATSON. A spectacular undercard featuring kickboxing and grappling
is also planned. Making a special appearance will be the USKBAbabes...featuring
Paige
and Brenda. For tickets and information, call 508-991-5929.
Muay
Thai) and STEPHEN RICHARDS (Team Suriyasak). This bout
began with both fighters exchanging punches at the sound of the bell. Connor
was satisfied to throw leg kicks to wear down Richards. Richards backed
up and began throwing punches and kicks that either did not hit their mark
or had no noticeable effect on Connor. The following two rounds looked
like mirror images of the first round. At times, Richards would try to
take control of the fight, but Connor seemed to have the aggression and
effectiveness. At the end of three rounds, the decision went to the judges'
scorecards. Judges Daddis, Potenza and Ronquillo all scored the fight 30-27
for the winner by unanimous decision ...Terence Connor (see
photo at top...Promoter Ace Ramirez with Terence Connor).
Thai
talent from studios throughout New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The
"BATTLEGROUNDS"
series of events is quickly becoming a premier venue for fighters to exhibit
what they practice. On hand for the action were many notable dignitaries
including USKBA Pro Champions "Extreme" Lacosta, Peter "F-16"
Kaljevic and Tommy "The Warrior" Rodriguez. The night was made
even more spectacular by the appearance of the "USKBAbabes,
Ring
Girls and More!"...Paige
and Robin.
Participating
studios for this event were; Extreme Muay Thai, Team Suriyasak, Maisonet
Muay Thai Camp, Progressive Martial Arts, Lookchaomaesaithong, Varlaro's
Martial Arts and Cool Hearts Muay Thai. The matchmaker was Ace
Ramirez and the Coordinator was Deb Ramirez. The referee was
Tom
DeRespino (see photo
at right). The judges were
Brad
Daddis, John Potenza and Marvin Ronquillo. The announcer
was Dan Kosa. The timekeeper was Evan Chait and the scorekeeper
was Charles Kim. For information on future "BATTLEGROUNDS"
events, call 201-387-1811 or visit their website at 
with
"X-TREME
FIGHTING / BATTLE IN TAUNTON 3", his third MMA event held at The Matrix
in Taunton MA. Promoter Banville is making a name for himself as one of
the premier MMA promoters in the New England area. And the New England
area is quickly becoming a hotbed of MMA activity. Attending one of these
events gives spectators the opportunity of seeing possible future MMA champions.
"X-TREME
FIGHTING / BATTLE IN TAUNTON 3" his featured 8 action packed MMA bouts.
The
Main Event had JOE POMFRET vs JAMES MEALS. Both these fighters came
in with varied experience in MMA competition. Pomfret is already an established
name in the New England area. Meals wanted to make a name for himself in
New England as he had in New Jersey. From the opening bell, Pomfret was
in control of the bout. Meals could do little to offset the talent and
expertise of Pomfret. The end of the bout came at 3:01 when Pomfret applied
a Rear Naked Choke on Meals that had Meals tapping out. The winner by
submission ...Joe Pomfret.
Club
Unison, featured fighters from Canada facing off against each other in
Full Contact Kickboxing bouts. In addition to the action packed kickboxing
bouts, the evening was filled with exciting 
demonstrations
by the students of Angelo Di Bella Karate & Kickboxing. The
packed house cheered for each bout and demonstration. The night began with
a demonstration of splits performed by some of the youngest students of
Angelo
Di Bella Karate & Kickboxing. Just by watching the flexibility
and motivation of each of the students, one can easily get the feeling
they are watching the kickboxers of tomorrow.
sporting
an unblemished record, has been climbing throughout the welterweight division
on his way to compete for the USKBA Amateur Full Contact Kickboxing
Welterweight World Championship Title. Lescard stood toe to toe with
Rossi throughout the first round. However, Rossi (see
photo at right...Rossi in silver pants)
was able to connect on various punches and kicks and even landed spinning
kicks to Lescard's body that proved to be effective. The first round went
to Rossi on all 3 judge's scorecards. Before the bell rang for the second
round, Lescard could be seen slumping in his chair, holding his midsection
and arm. Referee Frank Capitanio, went to Lescard's corner and waived
his arms that the fight was over. The winner by TKO at 2:00 of Round
1 ...Anthony Rossi.
with
the experience. From the opening bell, both fighters went right at each
other. Corkery, with his bigger size, was able to stand off Della Serra's
aggressiveness. Two judges scored this round for Corkery and one judge
gave this round to Della Serra. In the second round, the action stayed
the same. Although Corkery was given a standing eight count by Referee
Capitanio, two judges saw Corkery ahead in the round and awarded a one
point difference instead of the usual two point difference for the standing
eight count. The third round saw no let up in the action as both fighters
tried to gain the win. The judges were called on to render the decision.
Judge Garreffa scored the fight 30-27 for Corkery, Judge Johnny scored
the fight 29-28 for Della Serra and Judge Capitanio scored the fight 28-27
for the winner by split decision ...Peter Della Serra.
featured
two up and coming kickboxing talents. Neri, the smaller of the two, came
out throwing everything. It looked as if he wanted to end the fight in
the first round. But Kearns would have none of that. Kearns was able to
move around the ring and throw some punches and kicks of his own. All 3
judges scored this round for Neri. The second round saw Kearns more active
and starting to press the fight. Neri did not slow down. Two judges gave
this round to Neri while one judge gave this round to Kearns. The third
round was a mirror image of the second round with the scoring the same.
At the end of three rounds, Judge Garreffa scored the fight 30-27 for Neri,
Judge Johnny scored the fight 29-28 for Kearns and Judge Capitanio scored
the fight 30-27 for the winner by split decision ...Julien Neri.
saw
the smaller Messina (see
photo at left...Messina in black pants)
connecting with kicks and punches and backing up Ashbourne. Ashbourne fought
back and everyone was treated to a full two minute action packed round.
The 3 judges scored this round in favor of Messina. The second round saw
Messina turning it up a notch as she connected with effective punches to
Ashbourne's head. Ashbourne would not quit. Messina would not let up. Toward
the end of the round, Messina threw a barrage of punches and had Ashbourne
moving across the ring. With 8 seconds left in the round, Ashbourne's corner
person jumped on the canvas. The corner person says he heard the bell ring.
However, with the round not over and the rule of any corner person on the
canvas (ring) before the round is over will result in a stoppage of the
fight, the decision was the winner by TKO at 1:52 of Round 2 ...Julie
Messina.
This
fight featured the battle of the juniors. Turnier (see
photo at right...Turnier in black pants)
came in at 14 yrs of age (149.4 lbs) and Wilson came in at 12 years of
age (155.8 lbs). This was Turnier's amateur debut while Wilson had one
previous fight. Turnier, the taller of the two, seemed to be no novice
in the ring. His techniques were smooth and effective. Wilson would not
quit. Both these fighters exhibited kickboxing talent that should keep
them going well into adulthood. The bout went the distance with the nod
going to the winner by unanimous decision ...Emerson Turnier.
"BATTLE
AT UNISON 2" even included a special exhibition bout between heavyweights
JACK
BARRACLOUGH and SCOTT STEDMAN. Both these fighters are from
Kwartha Kickboxing in Peterborough, Ontario CAN. All the fighters from
Kwartha Kickboxing were impressive and true sportsmen and sportswomen,
as were the fighters from Angelo Di Bella Karate & Kickboxing in Montreal,
Quebec CAN. For information on future
USKBA
ACTION SPORTS Promoter Angelo Di Bella (Angelo
Di Bella Karate & Kickboxing)
events, call 514-385-5075.