Cornerman magazine #2

July 2011

Issue 002

THE UNDERCOVER CHAMPION Daniel Geale on the importance of giving back to the sport

COMEBACK TIME Should fighters do it CONDITIONING TIPS More fight strengthening ideas from UFC trainer Matt Spooner

THE MMA DEBATE Which martial art is most important

COMPLETE AMATEUR BOXING CALENDAR

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RINGSIDE VIEW

July 2011

Contents 5 - 11

12 - 21

22 - 27

28 - 34

35

AMATEUR BOXING 8

THE STARS OF TOMORROW

Young amateur boxers to keep an eye out for.

10

WHITE COLLAR WRAP

Businessmen and women continue to hit the ring in style.

PRO BOXING 14

AUSTRALIA’S KING OF BOXING

An extract from Johnny Lewis’s book by Paul Kent.

20

THE UNDERCOVER CHAMPION

Cornerman talks to IBF champion Daniel Geale in his gym at Grange Old School Boxing.

KICKBOXING 23

GIANT KILLER

Is Sydney-based kickboxer and boxer Steve Moxon the next big thing? Cornerman finds out.

26

DEDICATION WINS

A bunch of regional kids are making names for themselves on the national kickboxing scene.

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS 30

SPECIFIC STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING FOR FIGHTERS

UFC trainer Matt Spooner outlines some key exercises and how to measure your improvement.

33

MMA 101

Boxing, kickboxing, wrestling or Brazilian Jujitsu – which is more important when it comes to MMA? Cornerman spoke to trainers in each discipline to find out.

8

20

23

33

DVD CATALOGUE

www.cornerman.com.au 3

July 2011

RINGSIDE VIEW

From the corner

It’s been a busy start to the year for fight fans and Team Cornerman. The feedback from our first issue was fantastic and we want to thank you all for getting behind us.

Our second issue features an interview with new IBF World Champion, Daniel Geale. You know he’s a world-class boxer but did you know he trains the local kids at Smeaton Grange three to four times a week? We went and visited him out there and saw him in action with some young amateurs training in the ring.

The amateur boxing association NSW Boxing, has also had a great start to 2011. NSW boxers won eight Australian titles and then two state representatives went on to win Arafura gold medals. Read about the passion in amateur boxing on page 5 and for a full rundown of upcoming events go to page 7.

Here at Cornerman we also want to try and answer some of those questions you might have about your particular fight sport. Like when is the right time to make a comeback – if ever?

Cornerman spoke to a number of trainers across the different kinds of fighting sports to find out what they thought. Read our story on page 16 for the verdict.

We took thousands of photographs in the first half of this year.

Brain Spray of the Day on page 18 showcases our best shots of fighters.

We’ve extended our conditioning tips to two pages, provided

by UFC trainer Matt Spooner, on page 30, and also include some trial workouts to help you get ready for your next fight.

There are plenty of kickboxing and Muay Thai events coming up in the next 6 months for fans and there are more and more MMA promotions.

MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and is quickly gaining popularity in Australia. In addition to the UFC, which held its first show in Australia in February, there are plenty of local shows put on by the likes of Allegiance and Cage Fighting Championship (CFC). Check out our rundown of a couple of these events on page 29.

And when it comes to MMA are all the different disciplines as important as each other? We asked trainers of each for their opinions and how MMA fighters need to adapt the different styles in order to be successful.

We’ve updated our website –www.cornerman.com.au – and you’ll notice more videos, more events and more photos. The shop is live now too and you can buy fight goods as well as photos and DVDs of your fights.

Thanks for your support and keep fighting!

Team Cornerman For everyone that lives and breathes ring sports.

Editor:

Penny Pryor

Sub-editor:

Allb Etsareoff

Editorial director:

Tomas Vysokai

Creative director:

Nic Middenway

Contributing journalists: Elyas Khaliqi

Keeta Nova

Matt Spooner Contributing photographers:

Milos Lekovic

Hakan Saglam

Marcel Jendruch

Jaew Senta

Anton Van Den Berg Printing:

Sydney Allen Printers Pty Ltd

For all advertising enquiries: 0415 490 963 or sales@cornerman.com.au For all editorial inquiries: penny@cornerman.com.au For all production enquiries:Ringmaster Multimedia, nic@ringmaster.com.au

Cover photo: Milos Lekovic

4 www.cornerman.com.au

July 2011

AMATEUR BOXING PASSION RETURNS TO AMATEUR BOXING The first half of 2011 has seen a record number of promotions as more NSW boxers win Australian recognition, Penny Pryor writes.

It’s over 12 months since Boxing NSW swore in its new board and things could not be better, according to secretary Rick Anderson.

The past six months have seen eight Australian titles go to NSW boxers and two gold medal wins at the Arafura games.

Extra training courses have been introduced, which also include pad training tailored for personal fitness instructors who want to add boxing to their repertoire.

In early June NSW Boxing took a team to New Caledonia and walked away with one gold, three silver and two bronze medals.

“Every fighter that was beaten was beaten by a gold medallist,” Anderson says.

With over 40 promotions held in the first half of the year, amateur boxing is reaching new heights and being enjoyed by a far greater audience, arguably assisted by a number of new white-collar boxing events.

But for boxers who have London on their minds, Boxing NSW remains the only pathway to Olympic representation.

“They’ve got to win their state title to be able to compete at the Australian titles,” Anderson says.

Boxing NSW currently has 750 registered boxers and between 300 and 400 trainers. An increase in membership fees has assisted the association’s funds, which “are going great,” according to Anderson.

The International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) has also been trialling a new computer scoring system which was introduced in order to reduce the manipulation of scores, which the AIBA believes was occurring in the 2008

Arafura gold medal winner Cameron Hammond.

Luke Boyd receives his State Title medal from Rick Anderson.

Olympics.

This system removes the requirement that three out of the five judges had to score a blow within 1 second. Now the scores of the individual judges are recorded and the average of the three closest scores is used to score the round.

NSW Boxing is the process of researching this new computer scoring system with a view to purchase.

In another first for amateur boxing Anderson confirmed that headgear may become optional after the London Olympics.

AIBA president Ching-Kuo Wu is on record saying he wants headgear to be removed, or made optional, after the 2012 Olympics in order to bring the sport more in line with professional boxing.

A number of new judges have also joined the NSW association. If you are interested in becoming an official you can apply for a one-on-one session with one of the existing referees.

“We’re heading in a great direction for the future,” says Anderson After nearly three decades with the sport, president Steve Donkin has stepped down for personal reasons and Mick Abra has taken his place.

As the association looks to spread further into regional areas, many of which are Boxing League bastions, more city versus country competitions are being scheduled. The next six months will see one in Tamworth, Georges River, Maitland

and Bathurst (see calendar on page 7 for dates and contacts).

NSW recently lost the State of Origin battle with Queensland, held in the sunshine state, but another competition is being proposed.

“We want to give everybody an equal opportunity to compete,” Anderson says.

“The confidence [in boxing] is back.

The passion is back. We’ve been inundated with promoters wanting to have shows.”

NSW BOXER ACHIEVEMENTS ARAFURA GAMES GOLD MEDALISTS Women’s Seniors 75kg Arlene Blencowe Men’s Seniors 69 kg

Cameron Hammond

AUSTRALIAN TITLE HOLDERS Under-15 Male 38kg

Nikita Tszyu

Under-15 Male 54kg

Jarrod Manning

Under-15 Male 60kg

Satali Tevi-Fuimoana

Under-17 Male 44kg

Zac Lomas

Under-17 Male 80kg

Jai Opetai

Under-19 Male 64kg

Daniel Lewis

Senior Female 48kg

Katie Skinner

Senior Female 60kg

Shelley Watts

Senior Male 56kg

Luke Boyd

www.cornerman.com.au 5

July 2011

AMATEUR BOXING LEADING TRAINER GOES BACK TO HIS PCYC ROOTS Cornerman had the opportunity to catch up with one of Australia’s leading trainers, Billy Hussein.

The brother of champion boxers Hussein and Nedal Hussein, Billy Hussein has been in the corner of some of the biggest names in Australian boxing.

CM: How did you and your brothers get into boxing?

BH: We lived around the corner from the Belmore PCYC, and a family friend of ours used to box there. We didn’t even know boxing existed there. He asked us to come to the gym and in 1987 we went and haven’t been out of the gym since.

CM: Have you always been a trainer or did you fight yourself?

BH: I fought as well. I started boxing at the same time as my brothers and I fought until I was about sixteen. I had 24 amateur fights. Then I took the reins as a trainer.

Not many people know but I’ve trained three Olympians. I trained my brother Hussy for the 1996 Olympics. I trained Brad Hall for the Sydney 2000 Olympics NSW_Boxing_Jul2011.pdf 1 13/06/11 3:40 PM and I trained Anush Mirian for the 2004 Olympics. I’ve trained some very good

amateur boys and not many guys have trained three Olympians.

CM: Which fighters are currently training at Body Punch academy?

BH: We’ve got a really strong stable at the moment. Obviously there’s Garth Wood, we have Paul ‘Showtime” Fleming, Billy ‘The Kid” Dib, Mohamad Elomar, Ahmed Elomar, a lot of up and coming fighters and experienced fighters like Nadar Hamdan as well.

CM: What are your brothers, Skinny and Hussy, up to these days?

BH: Hussy is full time at the gym, he helps me a lot with the fighters. Skinny owns a car yard but whenever I need an extra hand at the gym he’s always there.

My younger brother Maz, has been a sort of understudy from day one and he’s amazing. Without him I couldn’t do the job that I do. We are a team here at the gym, my brothers and I. I might get a lot of the recognition and that but I can tell you now, I couldn’t do half of what I’m doing now without their help.

CM: Your work with Garth Wood has been phenomenal, any chance of a Wood versus Mundine III happening?

BH: Khoder Nasser and Anthony Mundine did an amazing job to help us

Billy Hussein in the corner.

out. You know if it wasn’t for Anthony being involved in The Contender, Garth wouldn’t have gotten the recognition that he now has. For a guy that’s had ten fights to do what he did in a short time was great. We worked hard for both fights and we had a game plan and unfortunately in the rematch we couldn’t pull through. I can’t see them fighting soon. They are on different paths at the moment.

For a full transcript of this interview please go to www.cornerman.com.au.

BELIEVE IN THE OLYMPIC DREAM

Contact us if you want to register as an amateur boxer, promoter or coach.

Secretary : Rick Anderson, Phone: (02) 4578 4686 Mobile: 0415 652 969 Email: info@nswaba.org.au Web: www.nswaba.org.au

AMATEUR BOXING

July 2011

2011 CALENDAR MONTH

DAY

EVENT NAME

VENUE

CONTACT

July

2

White Collar Fight Night

University of NSW Roundhouse

Josh King - 0414 157 292

2

Brighton Fisho's Club

Igor Gouloubev - 0416 097 087

2

Central Boxing NSW

Tuncurry Bowling Club

Neville Short - 4964 1331

9

(Corp Event) Police Challenge

TBA

PCYC BOXING

Cabramatta Leagues Club

Scott Simmons - 0412 998 480

9 12

August

South Sydney Juniors

Boxing NSW matchmaker Paul Nasari - 0413 812 274

14

(Corp Event) Battle of Waterloo

South Sydney PCYC

South Sydney PCYC

22

New Zealand vs NSW

Richmond Club

22

Corporate Bash

Randwick Labour Club

Michael Isgro - 0416 362 664

23

City vs Country

Tamworth

Mike Abra - 6765 4411

23

Singleton Boxing Night

Singleton RSC

Singleton Civic Centre

30

Fight Night

Bondi Junction RSL or Bronte RSL

Bondi Boxing Gym - 0402 622 662

30

Sutherland PCYC

Sutherland PCYC

30

TBA

Joel Keegan 0439 195 722

Portuguese club

Moli Kafusi

The Ivy

Alex Risby 0417 046 783

9

South Sydney Juniors

Boxing NSW matchmaker Paul Nasari - 0413 812 274

13

Lismore Maloney's Glove Club

Umina Boxing

3 4

Businessman’s Boxing 3 Far North Coast Tournament

20

September

Maitland City Boxing Club

Barry Mcdonald - 0409 827 493

20

Blacktown Fight Night

Blacktown PCYC

Blacktown PCYC

21

Amateur Show

Penshurst RSL

Paul Nasari - 0413 812 274

27

Sutherland PCYC Young Guns

Cronulla Sharkes Leagues Club

27

Umina Boxing

TBC

Joel Keegan 0439 195 722

Fight Night

North Sydney Leagues Club

North Sydney PCYC

Telarah

Neville Short - 4964 1331

Georges River Sailing Club

Croc - 0434 688 466

10

PCYC Boxing Umina

PCYC Boxing Umina

13

South Sydney Juniors

Boxing NSW matchmaker Paul Nasari - 0413 812 274

Ted Blackwood Hall Warriewood

Tom Lambert - 0409 077 623

2 3 10

17

City vs Country

Kickstart Boxing

22 October

November

Sydney Uni

23-25

State titles selection event

TBA

1

Rumble on the River

Kempsey RSL

Kempsey PCYC

8

Central Boxing NSW

Wauchope RSL Club

Mike Abra - 02 6765 4411

8

Far North Coast Tournament

Cudgen

11

South Sydney Juniors

Boxing NSW matchmaker Paul Nasari - 0413 812 274

14-15

PCYC Industrie Challenge

St George PCYC

St George PCYC

22

City vs Country

Maitland City Boxing Club

Barry Mcdonald - 0409 827 493

29

Fight Night

Muswellbrook Racecourse

Muswellbrook PCYC

4

Macarthur Boxing Challenge

Ingleburn RSL

Campbelltown PCYC

South Sydney Juniors

Boxing NSW matchmaker Paul Nasari - 0413 812 274

8 11

Jimmy Clabour's Fight Night

12

Penrith Fight Night

Penrith PCYC

12

Football Challenge

Cardiff Panthers

Newcastle PCYC

Kickstart Boxing

Ted Blackwood Hall Warriewood

Tom Lambert - 0409 077 623

Umina Boxing

Peninsula Community Centre

25

Hornsby PCYC Boxing Cup

Hornsby RSL

Hornsby PCYC

3

City vs Country Bathurst

Bathurst PCYC

Bathurst PCYC

Fight Night

Bondi Junction RSL or Bronte RSL

Bondi Boxing Gym - 0402 622 662

17 19 December

10 17

Jim Clabour

Sydney Uni

Source: Boxing NSW, PCYC Boxing. Dates may change. See www.nswaba.org.au www.cornerman.com.au 7

AMATEUR BOXING

July 2011

THE STARS OF TOMORROW Cornerman spoke to the trainers of some young boxers who have been performing well over the past year.

EliteBelts-QtrPageAd-July11.pdf

Chad Hoskins

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1

17/06/11

5:49 PM

BOXING BELTS

ATTENTION PROMOTERS

NSW remains the only state in Australia that limits the age amateur boxers can compete at to 14. Consistent efforts by the boxing fraternity managed to have the outdated ban on female boxers lifted in September 2009, but calls to lift the ban on juniors have fallen on deaf ears.

This leaves young boxers, like 13-year old Mateo Tapia who trains with Kickstart’s Tom Lambert, forced to travel interstate for bouts. This is a time-consuming and expensive exercise.

Some even argue it has caused the state to fall behind others when it comes to breeding successful boxers.

“It’s very hard. I do a lot of travelling and we’ve got a sponsor now that helps out,” says Lambert who trains Mateo at his gym in Narabeen.

The young boxer now fights at 50kg and has had five wins from seven fights. But when he first came to Lambert’s gym three years ago as a nine-year-old he weighed over 60 kilograms.

“He just wanted to have a go. I felt a bit sorry for him. He didn’t have many friends and I just took him under my wing. He’s changed. His personality has come out, he is more confident and he’s respected,” says Lambert.

Mateo trains with boys of similar age and weight at Kostya Tszyu’s gym in Rockdale once a week and often spars Nikita, Tszyu’s youngest son.

“I just have it in my blood. My grandfather won Golden Gloves in Mexico when he was my age,” Mateo says.

Lambert finds Mateo a pleasure to train and says younger boys can be easier to teach because they absorb new information and skills like a sponge. He isn’t afraid that he’ll get caught up in the usual teenage distractions as he gets older.

“He’s got the passion for boxing. Other teenagers I am worried about but not him,” he says.

Another teenager that looks set for bigger things is George Reno’s son Chad Hoskins. Chad is 16 but Reno says he has already got all the teenage rebellion out of his system.

“He’s been there, done that. He was in a lot of strife but he moved back home last year,” Reno says.

Chad only started fighting in July last year and has already had 10 wins from 10 fights. He won his junior novice division at the Golden Glove champions in 2010.

Training his son has “its moments” says Reno but for the most part the 60kg fighter is disciplined and does what he is told.

“He’s got the hand speed, good footwork and he can punch,” he says.

At 13 Mateo is too young for selection in the 2012 Olympics but both he and his trainer have high hopes for 2016.

“My first goal is to represent Australia at the Olympics and then my second goal is to become a world champion,” he says.

Turning 18 in August 2012, Chad might be just old enough to be eligible for Olympic selection but will have some tough older opponents vying for a spot with him, including state champions George Kambosos and Val Borg.

He has already caught the eye of Anthony Mundine who has a lot of time for the boy, according to Reno, who also acts as matchmaker and cornerman for The Man. “He’s got plenty of time. If he stays on track and stays dedicated, he’ll do well,” his father says.

Chad is fighting regularly in NSW but will also go up to Queensland later this year for another shot at Golden Gloves and then he hopes to be able to represent the state at the Australian titles in Tasmania.

“He’s from La Perouse and he wants to follow in the footsteps of other La Perouse great fighters like Kevin Kelly and Glen Kelly,” Reno says.

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AMATEUR BOXING

July 2011

THE JOURNEY OF A CHAMPION Female boxing has been legal in NSW for less than two years but there are a number of girls who have been quietly boxing their way to national titles since the ban was lifted in 2009. Keeta Nova tracks the relatively short, but successful, career of the pint-sized Katie Skinner.

Katie Skinner does not fit the stereotype of a boxer. Firstly she is a female, and if she wasn’t nibbling her way into a more competitive weight division, she would be a natural 46kg.

Skinner fights as a senior, but is so tiny she probably still gets asked for ID. Not that she has big nights out anyway – Skinner trains hard, works hard, and is a devout Christian. She reckons she would make a great housewife one day. She is quite clever at baking cakes and keeping things clean.

She would also love to be a model, and visually looks more suited to the cover of the latest teen magazine than stopping another girl in the ring. But as any decent boxer knows – looks are deceiving, so don’t judge your opponent by its cover.

In March 2010, Skinner fought her first fight as a registered boxer. She had already been training for three years and took an exhibition with a heavier girl at the Richmond fights in NSW. It was a match to quickly get her in the ring, in preparation for her first real fight – World Title Selection Trials in Perth, WA. There she was matched against the experienced and well-recognised Jenny Smith. Skinner lost on points.

Skinner fought again in Richmond, March 2011. This time she faced Eleanor Boden, the first female to register as a boxer in NSW. Boden was in a heavier weight class to Skinner and had a long record of fights, many of which were fought in the UK. The improvement in Skinner’s performance on this night, compared to that in the same ring 12 months earlier, was profound.

Katie Skinner’s journey into the competitive world of amateur boxing has been filled with the highs, lows and unpredictable turns of good novel.

She’s had her losses, but all of these were against opponents up to six kilograms heavier, or who came with solid international experience.

It is a little known fact that Katie Skinner will fight anyone – and if they are officially too heavy, she will make it an exhibition.

She may not even admit this herself, but her record proves that her opponent’s experience does not deter her. She’s fought the best, and this has reaped rewards.

At Cronulla Leagues Club in 2010 she stepped out of the ring after her

Katie Skinner at the state titles. Inset with her PCYC medal.

first clear win, against ACT’s aggressive Fleur Logan. She smiled broadly as she descended the steps. ‘At last,’ she said, ‘I won this time’.

In 2011, Skinner beat Logan again.

This time it was in Melbourne for a national title.

In just over one year, Skinner has won a silver medal at the Oceania titles, a NSW state title, a NSW PCYC state title and is the national 48kg champion.

Skinner has had her critics along the way, although most struggle to identify exactly what they don’t like about her style.

Skinner fights smart, and only throws when she has to. She has speed, she has power and she can bash you using only one punch. During her quest for a state title she seemed to lack her usual standard of fitness and speed – but still stopped the girl in the first round.

Skinner’s style is about fighting clever, covering up, wearing her opponent out, and hitting with single power shots. Her style has been developed by trainer Alani Moala who is also the father and trainer of Lomalito Moala, bronze medallist for Tonga in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

When Alani Moala talks about Skinner’s achievements it is difficult for him to hold back his pride. He says she listens and trains better than the boys, and his partnership with her is an obvious contribution to her success. Skinner says that she has been to a few other gyms, but nothing compares to Moala. ‘I can’t do pads with anyone else,’ she says, ‘Alani is um… he’s just special.’

Skinner’s training routine also includes lots of bag work, weights and sprints.

She spars Lomalito and his brother Willy Moala, but barely gets any time in the ring with another girl her size – there just aren’t many around.

Katie Skinner has had profound achievements in a short time, and further

experience can only bring her greater glory. She still remains humble and almost embarrassed about her skills – and a memo needs to be sent about this to all referees. If you give Katie Skinner an eight count, and she looks back at you with big sheepish eyes – she’s probably okay.

If she seems confused and doesn’t say much, don’t worry because she’s always like that. She’s not stunned, just shy.

WOMAN TO WATCH Winning the final at the Arafura Games, may have seen NSW boxer Arlene Blencowe walk away with a gold medal but it was her win against state title holder Kaye Scott that provided her with the biggest boost.

“That win, after previously loosing [to her] three times, was a major turnaround in my career,” she says.

“I think that the hurdle of fighting Claire Ghabrial in the final at National titles was the biggest obstacle... getting in the ring with someone with so much experience. I fought well, lost by points but came away with so much confidence,” she says.

Arlene fought Claire Ghabrial in the 64kg division at the Australian titles but went up two divisions to win the 75kg title at Arafura.

There are only three Olympic boxing divisions for women – 48-51kg, 5760kg and 69-75kg.

The Taree-based fighter faced the experienced West Australian boxer and 75kg Australian title holder NaomiLee Fischer-Rasmussen in June in Canberra to walk away with a win on points.

“I’m enjoying my training and fighting more than ever! My mental preparation leading up to fights had calmed unnecessary nerves getting into the ring,” she says.

www.cornerman.com.au 9

July 2011

AMATEUR BOXING

WHITE COLLAR WRAP Corporate boxing is proving it is here to stay, and also a good fundraising opportunity, with an increasing number of events held at city venues.

White-collar boxing continues to grow from strength to strength with more business types making the decision to fight.

For most the first time is the only time they enter the ring, but others use it as the springboard for a successful amateur boxing career.

The Ivy hosted Businessman’s Boxing and Black Tie Boxing in the first half of the year. The salubrious Justin Hemmes’ nightclub venue is attracting a new breed of boxing fan.

The events are also proving to be successful fundraisers.

Businessman’s Boxing raised over $40,000 for the Humpty Dumpty Foundation and White Collar Boxing, held at the Tanya Sm University of NSW Roundhouse, raised over $10,000 for the it h (L) R o ch e lle B Queensland flood relief effort. e r w ick (R White-collar boxers sign up to various programs that range ), Bus ine s sm ans from four months to 12 weeks.

Box ing 2 Businessman’s Boxing saw 14 fighters enter the ring at The Ivy Room. The boxers included financial advisers, recruitment consultants and investment bankers.

After one opponent suffered an injury and pulled out, boxing legend and trainer to Ryan Waters, David Birchell, stepped in.

In an exhibition bout against Nick “The Irish Clam” Gorman, Birchell showed just what a champion he still is, although pushing 40 and away from the circuit for 10 years.

The Ivy night included a female fight between Tanya “The Smiling Assassin” Smith and Rochelle “Roc” Berwick which was one of the most popular fights of the night with spectators.

It was action-packed from the beginning with both girls punching hard and fast, and often simultaneously, from the outset. By the third round they were really digging deep to find big shots. The more experienced Smith took the bout on points. s Box ing 2 But the highlight of the night was the final fight of the evening Bus ines sm an ), (R n a m w P lo when one fighter entered the ring in a Darth Vader costume. s (L) vs S co tt Ale x P ik oula Even without the costume, investment banker Vader proved he was still deadly, coming out stronger to win the fight on a split decision.

White Collar Boxing Inc had 20 fighters in April from all kinds of professional industries.

These fighters entered the ring to flashing lights, embroidered boxing shorts and hoodies and the cheers of their friends and families echoing in their ears. The Roundhouse event attracted well over 500 attendees, many of who had never been to a boxing show before.

The white-collar boxers soon discovered that boxing involves more than just slugging it out. It is hard to learn good defensive techniques in 12 weeks but all the Roundhouse fighters showed immense courage just to get in the ring.

All participants said the experience was well worth it.

“I’ve never experienced anything like it,” said one boxer of the R ichie E v ans (L 12-week program and the fight itself. ) vs De r e k K ing They also coined fight names such as “The Swiss Shark” and ( R ) WC FC 4 “Lights Out” that will no doubt stick with them well after the fight itself.

Just like fresh amateur boxers many of the white-collar boxers discovered that three two-minute rounds can seem like a lifetime. After going punch for punch in the early rounds they tended to slow down by the third round.

In one fight one boxer was so wound up he failed to hear the bell at the end of the first round and continued to punch on, hitting his opponent in the back of the head. The discretion earned him a point deduction but not a disqualification.

But both fighters embraced at the end of the three rounds.

The Cabana Bar also hosted a smaller event, which saw 18 boxes fight. While some of these boxers had been training for longer than three or four months it was their first experience of a fight and many described the experience as nerve-wracking but exciting. It raised over $6000 for Australia for UNHCR.

FC 4

WC 10 www.cornerman.com.au Ir v ing n Bre nda

Come and watch some gutsy corporate cowboys swap their suits for gloves in a great night of amateur boxing at The Ivy.

Thursday August 4 Doors Open 630pm Fights Start 730pm

General entry $100 Includes all drinks from 630pm till 1030 pm.

Tables $220 a head – Includes a three course meal and all drinks ($2200 for table of 10)

AMATEUR BOXING

July 2011

JUNIOR TARGETS GEALE FIGHTS TO LOOK OUT FOR Super middleweight Junior Talipeau made a name for himself in the Australian Contender series. He took some time out to tell Penny Pryor what he hopes to achieve in the next three years.

Junior Talipeau’s year may have got off to a rough start, with fight cancellations and opponent injuries, but the Shire boxer has big plans for the last few months of 2011, which include his first child.

“I’ve had all these scheduled opponents but they’ve pulled out or something has happened,” he says.

The lack of fights may have dented his motivation but he still manages to hit the gym on a regular basis.

“I’m training twice a day almost every day,” he says. On Saturdays and Sundays he takes it a bit easier.

Before his July bout Talipau’s last fight was against the older Shannan Taylor last year. The two put on a great show at the press conference in the lead up to the Judgement Day finale but Talipeau won the bout on a majority points decision over eight rounds.

In fact the only loss of his career was to Victor Oganov in round four of the Australian Contender series in August 2009. However the super middleweight credits the show for giving him a profile in Australian boxing.

“The Contender was a big opportunity. It’s done a lot for me since. It was a good thing being on that show,” he says He hopes they do another series soon.

“It just gets the Australian public involved and that’s what boxing needs in Australia.”

Talipeau focuses on fitness in his training and obviously pad work and technical skills but doesn’t like to spar until four weeks away from a big fight.

“I’m there to keep my head safe.

I don’t want to be punch drunk in my thirties.”

The 27-year-old reckons he has three more years in the sport before he retires to focus on establishing his own gym.

He started boxing as a means to keep fit for football in his teens and gradually fought his way up through the amateurs. His record after going professional five years ago is 17-1-1.

But he hasn’t forgotten his roots and likes to support the local amateur talent as well.

“I know how hard it is because I did it too. I still love seeing the upand-comers,” he says.

Talipeau’s team is in negotiations with Sam Soliman regarding a potential fight later in the year and a bout with Ryan Waters is also on the cards if Waters will agree to it.

Talipeau is not known for pulling punches outside of the ring.

“He’s just chickening out. He’s just pulled the pin,” he says of Waters.

“His last few wins haven’t been that convincing.”

But Talipeau’s ultimate goal is to become world champion and he has also put a call out to middleweight Daniel Geale.

“I want to get back down to middleweight. Daniel Geale? He might have won that title but he still has a long way to go. I want to get into the top ten in the world.”

At this stage Mundine is not on his list of potential targets.

“I think he’s a bit wary now to fight another Australian. Looking at his last fight he’s still there in it. But his time is almost up,” he says.

For now Talipeau and partner Amy Taylor are set to welcome their first child in August.

“It’s going to be a busy year,” the boxer acknowledges.

DATE: VENUE: PROMOTER: TELEVISED MAIN EVENT:

Friday 15 July 2011 Orion Function Centre, Campsie Billy Hussein (Team Hussein) Australia FOX WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight title Nader Hamdan versus Daniel Pawsey DATE: Wednesday 20 July 2011 VENUE: Entertainment Centre, Sydney PROMOTER: Danny Green and Justin Manolikos (Green Machine Promotions) TELEVISED Australia Main Event MAIN IBO cruiserweight title EVENT: Danny Green versus Antonio Tarver DATE: Friday 29 July 2011 VENUE: Olympic Park Sports Centre, Homebush PROMOTER: Michael Karagiannis TELEVISED TBA MAIN IBF featherweight title EVENT: Billy Dib versus Jorge Lacierva DATE: Wednesday 3 August 2011 VENUE: Sydney Portugal Community Club, Marrickville PROMOTER: Moli Kaufusi TELEVISED TBA MAIN IBF Pan Pacific light middleweight EVENT: title Tommy Browne versus Yao Yi Ma Source: Boxrec. Bouts subject to change and commission approval

12 www.cornerman.com.au

July 2011

PRO BOXING

AUSTRALIA’S KING OF BOXING The following is an edited extract from Johnny Lewis, The Biography, The Story of Australia’s King of Boxing by Paul Kent.

Published by Allen & Unwin www.allenandunwin.com.au.

Nobody ever got more out of a training session than Jeff Fenech. His capacity for work was unrivalled.

Australia’s best amateur, he was fighting in the sport’s lightest division, flyweight. For all that work, making weight was a struggle. He needed to train every day to keep his weight down, and he needed to fight regularly to prevent himself from going crazy with the frustration of training.

He began consuming daily doses of Nulax, the fruit laxative to help in the battle with his weight.

They were on the pads one day, Fenech again squeezing what he could into the three-minute round, when suddenly he looked up at Johnny.

‘Oh, Johnny, I just shit myself,’ he said. ‘Shut up and keep punching,’ said Johnny. There was a reason Johnny had told him to keep punching. Every round builds endurance, like bricks in a wall.

For Fenech to stop would have been to throw away the work he’d already done.

A marathon is much easier to run, for instance, if broken into stages. To stop would mean having to start the whole session again.

Fenech understood. As dirty as he felt, he kept training. He never complained again.

At nineteen, and with just twenty fights, Fenech was picked for the Olympic team.

At the Olympic trials he brought a tall middleweight over to meet Johnny.

‘This is my trainer, Johnny Lewis,’ he said to the tall kid. ‘Johnny, this is Jeff Harding.’

Jeff Harding was the direct type. ‘I want to train in Sydney,’ he said. ‘Well, come along to the gym any time you want,’ Johnny replied. As far as invitations

go, that was it. From the trials on, everything that happened in the gym at Newtown for Fenech was geared towards the Olympics. Johnny’s great dream as a trainer was to train an Olympic gold medallist. He thought Fenech was a long way from that, but he also knew Fenech was improving so fast he would be an altogether different fighter in six months’ time. Given that, he thought he was an outside hope at a gold medal.

Slowly it looked to be coming together.

The Eastern-bloc countries looked like they would boycott the Games, meaning the favourite in the flyweight division, Cuba’s Pan American champion Pedro Reyes, would probably not be there.

Johnny went through the field and figured that with the Eastern-bloc countries gone, Fenech had one true threat between him and Australia’s first Olympic boxing gold medal: South Korea’s Heo Yong-Mo, who had beaten him in Rome.

First they had an international tournament at Sydney’s Town Hall.

Johnny wanted to use this to help lead Fenech into the Olympics, six months off.

Tournament fighting was different from the club circuit, which goes down a fight at a time. Boxers fight every second day in tournaments, and as well as being fit to fight they must weigh in before each bout, which means stabilising their weight for as long as two weeks. Several weeks before the tournament, Johnny called Arthur Tunstall, the head of Australian amateur boxing, to clear up a few details.

‘That’s off, pal,’ Tunstall said. ‘Oh, geez, no one told me,’ Johnny said. This really upset Johnny’s plans. Fenech had no one around to fight, and he needed the rounds. Back at the gym, Johnny ran into Grantlee Kieza, a young journalist from the Daily Telegraph and one of the promoters of the upcoming Australian middleweight title bout between Ritchie Roberts and Billy Johnstone, who also played league for Canterbury. Kieza was cosying up to Fenech. When he heard the Town Hall fight was off, he told Johnny that while setting up Johnstone’s title

BEHIND THE SCENES: PROMOTING It seems like everybody is getting into the boxing promotion business these days. This is great for the sport but it isn’t as easy as everyone might think.

As our table to the right shows even with an amateur show, you could be up for at least $3500 before you even find a venue. We thought you might feel a little better about forking over your hard-earned cash for entry if you knew where a lot of it was going.

shot he’d met a bloke from Fiji who might be able to help. Not much later, Fenech and Johnny were heading to Fiji, invited to a tournament there. It kept Fenech’s preparation on track.

Johnny took Fenech’s mate Mitrevski along with them, also to fight. They both won. They considered the tournament a success until they got back to Australia and Johnny was called in to see the boxing authority. They wanted to know, these men that wouldn’t know, why he had taken Fenech away without permission.

Why? Because he was Fenech’s trainer and Fenech needed the fight. The authority was its own law, however, and in one of the great examples of stubborn idiocy, it suspended Johnny for twelve months for leaving the country without permission.

Johnny was shattered. Not allowed in Fenech’s corner, he lost a great deal of faith in the amateurs after that.

He appealed, and the suspension was cut from twelve months to six. There was no explanation for this, just as there had been no real explanation for the original suspension. And they wonder why Australia hadn’t won a gold medal in eighty years.

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PRO BOXING

July 2011

THE COMEBACK Fighting, whether it is kickboxing, boxing or MMA, has a use-by date just like any other sport but it seems to have a much higher incidence of fighter comebacks.

Penny Pryor spoke to a number of trainers to discover what motivates the comeback and when, if ever, fighters should do it.

There’s no doubt there’s a showmanship element to fighting that is not present in too many other sports.

It’s the only sport where you get to choose your own walk-in music and one where even novices can enter a ring, or cage, to a standing ovation from the crowd.

This rush, and the adrenalin buzz of actually fighting in the ring, is one reason fighters who have been out of the game for a number of years decide to make comebacks.

THE THRILL David Birchell, a trainer and former professional boxer, agrees that fighting can be addictive.

“I think it’s just the rush of the actual combat. The thrill of when you’re in there in the ring. It is an amazing buzz. I was lucky enough to meet Sugar Ray Leonard and have a long conversation with him about it and he just missed that rush,” he says.

The urge to find that buzz, or high, may be stronger in former fighters that have been out of the sport for a while.

“A lot of the time, especially people who are not directly involved in the sport, especially as a spectator think ‘I could do better than that’. You forget how hard it is,” Birchell says.

Birchell now has his own gym and trains and spars with the young boxers.

He recently jumped into the ring at a charity event when an opponent pulled out, but says he choses his targets.

“I’m sometimes silly enough to spar but I pick my mark. I spar with the novices,” he says.

According to trainer Billy Hussein, fighters sometimes come back when they don’t believe they achieved everything they could have the first time around, a view echoed by other trainers.

“Maybe they have regrets that they didn’t fulfil their potential for one reason or another,” trainer Johnny Lewis says.

But the success rate of boxer comebacks is very low.

“From a trainer’s point of view they should stay retired because when he is retired he has actually made the decision that he doesn’t want to fight so really in his heart he is coming back for the wrong reasons,” Hussein says.

Hussein was in Paul Briggs’ corner when he made his ill-fated comeback against Danny Green (see breakout), which brings us to the other, and possibly more important, reason why fighters make comebacks.

THE MONEY The offer of a big purse, particularly when a fighter has hit hard times, could lead someone to make a decision they possibly shouldn’t.

Birchell believes that “unless you’re going to be making millions” you shouldn’t be coming back for financial reasons.

On occasions he’s had to warn fighters against getting in the ring again.

“It is a difficult thing but that’s your duty of care as a trainer. I’m not only answerable to them I’m answerable to their family. I don’t know how the hell I’d cope if someone died in the ring,” he says.

16 www.cornerman.com.au

July 2011

PRO BOXING

CONUNDRUM Johnny Lewis

Rob Murdoch

For those who fought in the 1980s and 1990s the money now available may seem very attractive.

“Pay TV wasn’t around then and now it is around there is more money to be won,” says Hussein.

Lewis agrees that the biggest reason for comebacks is usually financial.

“Personally I don’t think there have been too many successful comebacks,” he says.

When pushed to name one success story he cites George Foreman, but his success, according to Lewis, could have been more about the lack of talent available to fight the second time around.

Money may be a factor in professional boxing but it is rarely a factor when kickboxers, or Muay Thai fighters, decide to launch a second run at the ring, former kickboxer and trainer, Rob Murdoch senior says.

“Very rarely in our industry is it financial because we don’t earn enough money in the industry to do that. Mostly they don’t finish what they started and their marriage or life or work interferes and then they come back.”

THE RIGHT DECISION When it comes to making the decision to comeback, fighters need to have the right people around them “The fighter becomes a little bit vulnerable and they can become easy prey for someone who gives them not the right advice,” Lewis says.

Murdoch senior says this can be the difference between a successful career and a failure.

“It doesn’t matter what discipline it is, most successful fight careers are because of the people they have around them. Given everything equal with talent and fitness – one can become a failure and one a success only because of the people they had around them.”

Birchell made his own comeback after www.cornerman.com.au

David Birchell

“You want to come back because you’re going to be better than before,” David Birchell

a serious car accident. He says that was to see if he still had it in him and once he proved to himself he did, he stopped.

“I wake up every morning and probably will for the rest of my life wanting to fight but I don’t want to do the training,” he says.

“I came back from that accident to prove to myself that I could do it. I had a few professional fights but I knew I wasn’t going to be better than before. You want to come back because you’re going to be better than before.”

Age is also a factor. If a fighter retires while still young, they will obviously have a better chance at a second career if they return when they’re still in their twenties.

“There was one guy who started training with me and his goal was to win an Australian title and he did that and he retired. A year later he came back and said he still had a hunger to fight – he was only 25 at the time. That’s one case,” Murdoch says.

OTHER AVENUES If fighters miss the thrill of fighting there are plenty of other ways to stay involved.

“My thrill I get is obviously training my fighters – watching the kids you train reach their goals,” Birchell says.

Billy Hussein says his brothers have remained in the sport since their retirement.

“One of them is in the gym helping me.

The other one is sponsoring fighters. The success rate of comeback fighters is not that great and they’ve seen that.”

Rob Murdoch suggests that if a fighter is not suited to be a trainer then they could consider promoting.

“They can be involved as officials or as trainers, they can actually promote. If they didn’t want to train or didn’t think they had the ability they could help the trainer.

I’ve got fighters who have been with me for 20 years and they still come into the gym. They spar, they hold pads and they do it because they want to give something back.”

Paul Briggs Danny Green might be one of the more successful comeback stories but his fight against Paul Briggs in July last year lasted less than 30 seconds.

It seriously damaged Briggs’ former reputation as a good boxer.

“Briggs was a great fighter and unfortunately he’s going to be remembered for the fight with Green but he was a great fighter,” David Birchell says.

Billy Hussein was in Briggs’ corner for the fight.

“That was 100 per cent financial.

When $200,000 is dangled in front of your eyes when you’ve got debt unfortunately you make financial

decisions. I was against the comeback but I wasn’t going to leave my friend with nothing either. We had to be careful. It was the risk he took,” Hussein says.

“I didn’t make any money from that fight. I didn’t take a percentage as a trainer,” he adds.

Hussein is clearly torn up when he talks about Briggs now.

“He was a great fighter in his era.

If he really wanted to come back he should have had two or three tune-up fights.”

Briggs is currently contesting the West Australian Professional Combat Sports Commission’s fine of $75,000 of his $200,000 purse for a “sham fight”.

17

BRAIN SPRAY OF THE DAY..

RUNNER-UP SPRAYS…

18 www.cornerman.com.au

PRO BOXING

July 2011

THE UNDERCOVER CHAMPION Australia’s newest boxing champion, Daniel Geale, has placed himself at the top of the Australian boxing tree, and amongst elite company in both Australian and world boxing, Elyas Khaliqi writes.

With his sensational May 7th victory over German champion Sebastian Sylvester, on German soil, Geale joins Australian ring legends Lionel Rose (RIP), Jimmy Carruthers and Jeff Harding as the only Australian fighters to win a world title overseas. The Aussie’s name will now be mentioned alongside Marvin Hagler, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr, James Toney and Michael Nunn, as owner of the IBF Middleweight title.

Geale achieved what most perceive to be mission impossible in boxing, that is travelling to Germany and beating the champ on his home territory. The magnitude and importance of Geale’s win on German soil is why his name is now mentioned with the greats listed above. Anthony Mundine tried and was knocked out, Danny Green tried twice unsuccessfully, as have Rick Thornberry, Nadar Hamdan, Shannan Taylor and Peter Mitrevski Jr. After years of hard work, the accolades and recognition are finally coming Daniel Geale’s way, and deservedly so.

Geale’s sole loss to compatriot Anthony Mundine, two years ago, is now well behind him. Despite the loss, Geale gained great exposure on the big stage and has gone on to become the middleweight champion. The loss to Mundine was so controversial, the IBO mandated an immediate rematch but that fight never eventuated as a result of Mundine choosing to campaign at Junior Middleweight. The tables have now turned, with the new champion being one of the most sought after Australian boxers. Geale has remained lukewarm at the prospect of a rematch with Mundine, insisting he has bigger fish to fry overseas.

Buoyed by his successful title fight, Geale has stated that he wants to fight the best out there. One name that Geale has most mentioned is Sergio Martinez, the WBC Middleweight

champion from Argentina. Martinez is regarded as the best middleweight on the planet and number three on the pound for pound rankings. Geale’s attitude is a breath of fresh air, choosing to call out the most formidable champion in his division, rather than chasing overmatched or over the hill opponents. He wants to test himself against the best, and has enough confidence in his abilities to think he can get the job done. Geale now brings with him the IBF middleweight belt to the table when he negotiates for a fight and indeed a unification fight might interest the uncompromising Argentinian. Geale’s last few performances indicate that he will be a handful for Martinez or any of the other middleweight champions at the moment.

Having so far amassed a fine record of 25 wins against a sole loss, with fifteen of those fights ending inside the distance, the doors are wide open for Geale and his management.

A successful unification bout against any of the other champions would see Geale’s stocks rise dramatically.

Born in Launceston, Tasmania, Geale now trains at the Grange Old School Gym, in Sydney’s west, under the watchful eye of expert trainer Graham Shaw. Since

training fulltime at the Grange, Geale has shown continued improvement in each fight. Quality training and quality sparring with the likes of Rob Medley and Jamie Pittman and expert guidance

by Gary Fransisca and the Grange Team, have been a huge advantage for Geale, going into the biggest fights of his career thus far. Geale’s ability to change from

20 www.cornerman.com.au

PRO BOXING softly spoken, mild mannered gentleman outside the ring to a killing machine inside the ring is remarkable. One of the true nice guys of the sport, Geale has gone about his work in a quiet and self assured manner and he’s now getting his just dues.

Geale had a distinguished amateur

career, highlighted by a Gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth games. The former amateur standout puts a lot of time back into the sport at the junior level (see below) and also trains with the Wests Tigers Rugby League team. He and his wife are raising three young children.

Daniel Geale has only just started to

July 2011

make noise, not with his mouth, but with achievements in the ring. At the peak of his powers, the 30 year old Tasmanian knows his time is now. The man affectionately known as ‘The Real Deal’ has announced his arrival on the world scene, and is set to show the world that he really is the real deal.

HELPING OUT HAS CALMING EFFECT A month after he returned to Australia following his title win, Daniel Geale spoke to Penny Pryor about why he believes it is important to work with the young amateurs and his plans for the future.

He might be IBF Middleweight World Champion but at Grange Old School Boxing Gym, Daniel Geale is just head coach.

The boys and girls that go through the paces with him each night, know they have someone special teaching them and an excellent mentor, but are not afraid to tease their trainer on occasions.

Geale has been training the amateurs at Grange for five years and is often seen in the corner of boys fighting for State Titles or at the monthly amateur bouts at South Sydney Juniors.

Aside from individual lessons, he

also pulls a couple out each class for some one-on-one sessions and pays special attention to those about to get into the ring.

“I’ll look after them just little bit more when I know they need a little bit of work done,” he says.

When he first started coaching at Grange, which is all done in his own time, they used to get just four or five people to the classes but that has grown tenfold Geale in Zeb King’s cornering over time. have learnt from boxing.

The ever-humble Geale believes He also believes that the training that the weather has more to do with helps his own fighting. attendance numbers than his popularity.

“I’ve always loved to be involved and “When it gets to summer we get a lot now having the chance to be able to of people in here….when it gets cooler teach people what I have been doing you sort of get the dedicated ones,” he and what I’ve done in the past. Seeing says. them improve and seeing them get But fellow trainer and boxer Zeb King something out of it, I just get heaps out says that there is always an increase in of that. And I believe it only makes me attendance after Geale returns from better as well.” big title bouts like his recent win in “I think it’s a bit of a calming thing as Germany. well. I’ve never been one to really stress The world champion out that badly but I know it definitely attends all the fights of his does settle me down,” he says. young charges, even if that He also has the kids 100 per cent means travelling interstate support when he gets in the ring. for under-14 boxers who are But there is a downside and Geale unable to fight in NSW. reports considerably more stress being Thirteen-year-old Angus in the corner of a boxer than actually Dickens is one of his star being in the ring itself. recruits.

“When you’re boxing yourself you’ve “Unfortunately Angus is got control. But when I’m in their helping a bit young to fight in NSW. someone and I’m the coach in the He has had a couple of fights corner I can only aid them. I can’t do it down in Canberra but later for them. Being out of control, it’s a really this year he turns 14 and will hard thing. All you can do is as much as be able to get a fight anywhere you can which is a very small amount – in NSW,” he says. give them a drink, settle them down and Geale says that while it send them back out there,” he says. is difficult to train boys when Geale’s passion is world-class they’re not actually able to fight boxing. in NSW he still enjoys watching “People are starting to notice that them get better in the gym. there is better quality boxing out there “They put the time and effort in and if they are interested in better quality and you see that they’re improving boxing then we are going to give them and you get a lot of enjoyment out that,” he says. of that,” he says.

There are many stories of boys For a highlight video of the interview go being able to turn their lives around to www.cornerman.com.au. due to the discipline and work ethic they

www.cornerman.com.au 21

July 2011

KICKBOXING

GIANT KILLER What are your goals?

I want to stick with my goals in kickboxing, which are quite high, because there are plenty of young boxers who are much better than me right now, but then in kickboxing I’m actually at the top of the table. Now my name is out there internationally whereas with boxing it will take a lot of time to build it internationally. My goal in kickboxing is to fight for either K1 or Showtime promotions and definitely get a world title.

How far off that do you think you are?

I thought it was a couple of years off but it’s been getting closer. I’ve been fighting international guys and some good Japanese guys. It’s just about getting that break. I’ve fought like three Japanese guys they’ve brought over here that were supposed to beat me. I fought on the K1 Oceania show and I fought this giant, this Japanese guy and he was supposed to beat me. I’ve beaten them all.

Has it been hard to get kickboxing fights?

Where I’m at now the people that want to fight me say ‘Ok Ill fight Steve Moxon but I want lots more money’. And then the promoters say we can’t afford to give you that much money in Australia.

Sydney-based kickboxer and boxer Steve Moxon has only been fighting for four years but already has a record of 25-3-1 and three pro boxing wins from three fights. With offers to fight names such as Bruce McFee and Mike Zambedis the 23-year old fighter has big things in his sights. He spoke to Cornerman on his plans for the future.

How did you get into kickboxing?

I was good friends with my original trainer’s daughter and she said come and give it a go. I was 90 kilos and I went in and I gave it a go. I’d never done any martial arts before and I just enjoyed it more and more. I met a couple of guys and I saw the camaraderie and the friendships you made within the gym and how everyone looked out for each other and before I knew it I was in every day.

Why did you move to Sydney from Melbourne?

Originally I moved to Sydney because I got offered full time kickboxing management and training from Peter Graham, Tony Daou and Nox Tauakipulu. I moved to Sydney and straight away I fought in Sydney and I got selected to fight on a reality TV show in Thailand.

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Then how did you get into boxing?

I’ve always sort of said in the back of my mind that I d love to do some boxing. I didn’t always enjoy watching boxing until I started sparring and doing more boxing training. Since I moved to Sydney I’ve been able to spar against some really good boxers.

I’ve recruited boxing trainer Paul Grech just to get my hands sharp for kickboxing and boxing. I want to go right to the top and challenge someone like Garth Wood to show those people that think that kickboxers aren’t boxers.

What next?

Jason Scerri is who I’m fighting in Canberra July 30. He’s had 60 fights. He’s definitely that class above me whereas I think I can beat him. I’m going to Holland to prepare for this fight and that is definitely something I need to do. This is a fight I have to win to say that I’m here. Then Evolution promotions have offered me a fight with Bruce McFee in August. And then there’s an offer early next year to fight Mike Zambedis in Melbourne. These are names that I used to look up to and now I’m getting mentioned in the same sentence so it’s pretty crazy how it’s all gone. But my attitude is they’ve got two arms, two legs and win, lose or draw to be able to get in the ring with these guys and put on a good show that’s what it’s all about.

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www.cornerman.com.au 23

July 2011

KICKBOXING

ISKA AND WKA RESULTS WRAP-UP WINNER

GYM

Fight for Life Promotions, Cooma Function Centre, March 25, 2011 Chris Peter Foster's Gym 1 Middleweight Kickboxing Thompson Super Heavyweight Scott Furner's Fight Gym 2 Kickboxing Cunningham 3 Welterweight Kickboxing Jakelin Verran Bulldog Queanbeyan Light Heavyweight Thai Dimitri Petridis Peter Foster's Gym 4 Boxing Creedence Furner's Fight Gym 5 Heavyweight Kickboxing Bartlett Super Cruiserweight Mike Talepa Fight for Life 6 Kickboxing 7 Cruiserweight Kickboxing Jake Partridge Jindy Fight Gym 8 9 10

Heavyweight Kickboxing Light Heavyweight Kickboxing WKA NSW Super Light Heavyweight Kickboxing Title

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GYM

DECISION

Jake Caldwell

Dark Carnival Muay Thai UP

Matt Murphy

Fight for Life

SDP

Amy Wagner

Jindy Fight Gym Fighting & Fitness Academy

UP

Dean Davis

Fight for Life

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Tim Tiller

Flames Fitness

TKO (R3)

Ben Rolfe

Furner's Fight Gym

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Daniel Winikerei

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Troy Whiley

Fight for Life

Chiefy Waihape

Storm MMA

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Bernie Furner

Furner's Fight Gym

Gary Neilsen

Monobeef Gym

SD

Spiro Black

Fighting & Fitness Academy

Mile Kadinski

Canberra Kickboxing

TKO (R3)

Bulldog Promotions, North Sydney Leagues Club, April 17, 2011 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Cruiserweight Thai Boxing Four-man eliminator Super Heavyweight Thai Boxing Semi Final 1 Super Heavyweight Thai Boxing Semi Final 2 Bantamweight Thai Boxing Super Cruiserweight Thai Boxing Super Lightweight Kickboxing Middleweight Thai Boxing

Ben Cook

Heng Kuai Fighting Arts Issac Nolan

Allegiance Gym

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Nathan Heneghan

Double Dragon

Daniel Fawkes

Tamworth Fighting Arts

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Daniel Roberts

Bulldog Manly HQ

Morris Molesi

Contender Gym

KKO

Dylan Kurcan

Fight Rite

David Limbu

Tamworth Fighting Arts

UP

Jobert Esber

Bulldog Castle Hill

Jarrod Coughtrie Heng Kuai Fighting Arts TKO (R1)

Ben Caunt

Phoenix Gym

Tim Goodwin

Reflex Martial Arts

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Cavanagh Nicholas

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July 2011

KICKBOXING 4

Light Heavyweight Thai Boxing

WINNER

Mikey Shoco

GYM

Bulldog Balmain

DEFEATED

Manly Vuong

5

Middleweight Kickboxing

6

Featherweight Kickboxing

South West Kickboxing Daniel Gooch Anthony Sgro Gym Anja Stridsman Boxing Works Angel Towney

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Lightweight Thai Boxing

Roy Lai

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Chris Aliendi

8

Super Welterweight Thai Boxing

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9

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10

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GYM

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Pitbull Kickboxing & Muay Thai

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13

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Nak Muay Thai Gym

15

DECISION

UP SD UP MD UP TKO (R1) UP UP UP UP UP

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July 2011

KICKBOXING

DEDICATION WINS Kickboxing is teaching discipline and focus to a bunch of rural youths. Penny Pryor spoke to some trainers and young fighters who have become devoted to the sport.

Regional areas are not known for a wealth of things for kids to do. When there’s no local shopping centre or movie theatre for young people to hang out at, boredom can quickly set in.

A number of kids from coastal and country areas in NSW are turning to martial arts, and kickboxing in particular, to keep them entertained.

But it also keeps them fit, dedicated and disciplined important traits that will put them ahead of the game as adults.

Helped by former fighters who give up their own free time to train them, and understanding parents who are willing to drive them long distances, many of them are getting noticed on a national level.

Makk McNaught is from Cargo and travels 40 minutes to kickboxing training in Millthope at least four times a week before fights. He trains with policeman Glenn McDonald and although just 15, has already had eight wins from 11 fights.

He fights full Muay-Thai, which includes elbows and knees, and has fought many older opponents.

With two NSW titles, he added an Australian belt to his fighting record in March.

“He’s been training for two years now. He’s a tough country kid. He’s done it hard and been brought up in the bush,” says McDonald.

No fights are scheduled around exams and McDonald insists McNaught focuses on studying before training. But he has big

Millthorpe kickboxer Makk McNaught prepares for a fight.

plans for the boy.

“I think he could be the next Wayne Parr. If he keeps going and is dedicated he will get there. We’ve talked about that,” McDonald says.

For now his trainer is encouraging him to go onto Year Eleven at school and, if he wants to follow in his footsteps into the police force, to finish Year Twelve first.

Rob Murdoch Jr, like his father Rob Murdoch Snr, is a legend in kickboxing circles. His gym on the central coast also has a number of young protégés that are focusing on fitness rather than other typical teenage pursuits.

“Here in Wyong it’s not a real rich area and young kids have got nothing to do, so they look for an outlet. As long as they want to dedicate themselves, I don’t usually charge young blokes. As long as they’re putting their time and effort in I don’t mind putting in the time and effort,” he says.

Max Crimmins is one of his star pupils. The 19-year old has had four fights for four wins and started kickboxing three years ago as a teenager.

“He’s had a chest injury and he’s just back into the gym now.

Max has had four fights over three years and they’ve all been with adults. He had his first fight at16. He looks like he will be as good [as Matt Cashmore],” Murdoch says.

Matt Cashmore is one of Murdoch’s biggest success stories.

He first came to the Wyong gym in 2005 for some pre-season training for Rugby League. He went on to become completely dedicated to the sport with 18 wins, 6 by knockout, from 21 fights and is the current Australian ISKA Full Muay Thai champion.

“Matt wasn’t very talented when he came to the gym, he’s worked very hard to get where he is,” Murdoch says.

Cashmore is a support worker for people with intellectual disabilities and, now 29, has a three-year-old daughter and a “very understanding missus”.

“I just want to push myself as far as I can. I’ve already reached one of my goals – to win the Australian title, anything else is a plus,” says Cashmore.

Murdoch’s other star pupil is his 17-year old daughter Mickell who has had two wins. Her father says she is “better than I thought she would be.”

26 www.cornerman.com.au

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MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

July 2011

PERFECT SELF DEFENCE Alex Prates is a lead coach at TP Gym in Cronulla. He spoke to Cornerman about the growth of MMA in Australia and his involvement in the sport.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself?

I was a long time student of Mario A: Sperry, the former head MMA Coach for

the Brazilian Top Team. A few years ago my business partner, Bernardo Trekko, and I founded the TP Gym in the Sydney beachside suburb of Cronulla. I am the head MMA Coach as well as teaching BJJ. In that time we have built a very strong and competitive fight team and believe it to have one of the best win/ loss records in the country, with a current overall record of 48 wins and eight losses, which I am very, very proud of.

What do you focus on at the gym?

At TP Gym we focus a lot on Olympic and freestyle wrestling to cover the aspect of clinching and takedowns, and we are very fortunate to have former Olympic wrestler, Leonid Zaslavsky to guide and teach us in these skills.

In regard to stand up striking skills, 12:07 AM JNI_JUNL2011_HPA-2.pdf 1 22/06/11 we encourage our fighters to train at

Q: A:

various places to gain a good eclectic skill base. We are very lucky to have a strong association with the great Sifu Mick Spinks of Double Dragon, who is an integral part of our coaching team helping the fighters with their standup and conditioning. Some of our Eastern Suburbs based fighters also train with Matt Gardener helping them perfect their skills. We also have Tim Seirlis, a 3rd Dan Karate-ka and current World Master’s U85kg Pankration Champion, teaching the boys some polished evasion and kicking techniques.

If a Brazilian Jujitsu artist wants to become an MMA fighter what do they need to do?

The short answer is… lots and lots of wrestling and stand-up, whilst continuing to train their BJJ - so the commitment level needed to becoming a decent MMA fighter is huge. My personal advice is to make it your goal to eventual take on some hard-core sparring.

Is there anything else you’d like to say about MMA or BJJ.

I am excited about the future of MMA in Australia and from the record crowds the UFC shows have achieved I believe there are plenty of MMA fans

Q: A:

Q: A:

Alex Prates

out there, they just need to now support the local shows so that the sport can grow at the pace it should and expose some of the world class local talent we have here. BJJ is a great martial art that I believe is perfect for all ages and without doubt the most effective self defence system out there.

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July 2011

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS CAGE FIGHTING BROADENS ITS REACH Every fighter has heard of UFC but it isn’t the only brand of mixed martial arts. More and more local promoters are adding cage fighting to their shows and even specialising in MMA fights. Here are the highlights from two shows Cornerman was at this year.

There are now a number of dedicated MMA shows that even have their own cage.

In NSW XMA, CFC and Tuffa put on regular shows that draw big crowds.

Cornerman was at the Port Macquarie all professional Allegiance show in March and the Castle Hill Cage Fighting promotion in June.

The Allegiance night featured eight fights, the majority of which were for two rounds of five minutes.

Promoter Jason Harris Is a professional MMA fighter who regularly fights on CFC. He held his second show at Port Macquarie Panthers.

At this show the main event was the only disappointment as Jeff King from NSW injured his knee early in his fight against King Robinson from South Australia.

Jason Edwards – a kickboxer who moved to Port Macquarie from Sydney - won the fighter of the night due to his superior striking skills against experienced grappler Daniel Wallace from Queensland.

The pre-main event between Ben Wall and David Johnson featured two strong stand-up fighters.

Wall worked very well up against the cage, trying to take Johnson down.

Eventually he successfully brought him to the ground on his back where he worked on him for the last minutes of the round.

The second round started well when Wall leg kicked Johnson, which he caught

and reciprocated with a punch. Wall stumbled but so did Johnson and both ended up on the ground with Johnson on his back and Wall in his guard.

The beginning of round three saw a repeat of round two with the same leg kick and same counter. Ben Wall advanced into good positions on the ground and by the end of the round he moved into side control where he won more points to end up winning the fight on the judges’ decision.

Even with a late Jason Edwards in his bout against Daniel Wallace at Port Macquarie change of venue the Cage Fighting show in Magnani initiated an attack with the Castle Hill in May managed to attract a hands but got hit on the way in with full house, another indication of the sports vicious jabs and crosses which visibly growing popularity in Sydney. rocked him. He attempted to bring the The show featured five amateur fights fight back his way with clinches but was and four professional bouts. unable to answer too many of Walsh’s Aside from the first exhibition the kicks and punches and the referee amateur fights ended quickly via stopped the fight. submissions or TKOs in the first rounds.

James Vainikolo faced Jon Leven in One of the highlights of the the main event for a scheduled three fiveprofessional fights was the battle between minute round bout.

Richard Walsh and Adriano Magnani Leven was no match for Vainikolo and that was scheduled to fight over two fivewas taken to the floor early in the first minute rounds. round. He struggled on the ground and Magnani, a Jujitsu specialist, started the referee stopped the fight to protect with a roundhouse kick, which was caught Leven when Vainikolo started viciously

by Walsh, a striker. Magnani pulled his punching him in the head. Leven won the guard while standing but Walsh threw him fight by ground and pound three minutes to the floor. Magnani then tried to get a leg three seconds into the first round. lock on Walsh while he was on the ground Vainikolo is well on his way to his goal but was unable to because Walsh was of fighting for the UFC. using the cage.

“You guys are supporting me all along.

After the referee intervened, and Walsh It’s getting closer and closer all the time. was cautioned, the fighting resumed in This is one of my dreams,” he said at the the standing position. end of the fight.

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MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

July 2011

SPECIFIC STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING

By Matt Spooner* We all know how important it is for fighters to have great conditioning and we have all seen fights where the fitter fighter wins the war. Those of you in the fight game also realise that conditioning is a huge part of a fighter’s confidence and arguably their most important tool. What the athlete needs are conditioning exercises that we can measure and time, and that will also make them fitter, faster and stronger.

BURPEE A great, simple and effective conditioning exercise is the burpee. Originally a gymnastics exercise, it is a fantastic strength and conditioning exercise. It starts with a deep squat for leg strength, goes directly to a “plank” for core strength, then into a plyometric pushup for upper body power and finally into a vertical jump for whole body power.

• Do 100 burpees for time.

• Record your score i.e. time it took, and repeat it fortnightly aiming to improve it.

SLEDGE HAMMER STRIKES These require core strength stability as well as rotational core power, plus both pushing and pulling power, similar to punching. Most of a fighter’s strength and conditioning should be done whilst standing. The power is developed from the ground up, through the legs into the core and then into the arms.

• Perform 10 left arm sledgehammer strikes, 10 right arm sledgehammer strikes and 10 burpees. Repeat 5 times.

• Record the time it took and repeat in 2 weeks.

WALL BALL THROWS

Combination workout

Using a rubber rebound medicine ball and a solid wall assume your fighting stance, now using your right arm throw the ball as hard as you can at the wall. Don’t use too heavy a ball as you want your movements to be fast and explosive.

• •

10 wall balls throws on the left, then 10 on the right, then 15 burpees and finish with 20 double unders.

Repeat the workout as many times as you can within 12 minutes.

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MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

July 2011

FOR FIGHTERS SKIPPING DOUBLE UNDERS

The seemingly simple exercise of passing a skipping rope twice under your feet in one jump requires a perfect combination of athletic skills with agility, timing, body awareness, accuracy and cardiovascular conditioning.

• For an advanced workout perform five unbroken double unders then pause, 10 unbroken double unders pause, then 15, and so on increasing them by 5 to 50 and then decreasing them by five to finish at five.

• Time the workout to measure your improvement next time.

TIRE FLIPPING A tractor tire flip is a combination of a dead lift and a power clean – a perfect example of functional strength and power.

COMPLETE CONDITIONING WORKOUT •

•

Perform 10 tire flips, then 20 wall ball throws with your left arm then 20 with your right arm, 30 sledge hammer strikes left and 30 right, 40 burpees and finally 50 double unders for time.

Record results and compare in the near future.

I highly recommend you get someone to teach you how to dead lift and power clean first before you attempt these, but they are a great exercise for whole body power, strength and also a great conditioning tool.

Keep these workouts short, only five to 20 minutes in total and start to taper them away as you get close to competition. Your fight training is the most important training and will also fatigue you as you start to peak. You don’t want to over train or get injured.

*Matt Spooner is strength and conditioning coach based in Sydney, writes for UFC Magazine and has trained numerous fighters over the last 15 years. www.elitestrengthconditioning.com.au mspooner@elitestrengthconditioning.com.au 0410 520 957

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MIXED MARTIAL ARTS MMA Mixed martial arts is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

It comprises the three elements of standup, wrestling and submission and utilises boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and Brazilian Jujitsu. But is each of the martial arts equally important? And if you’re training for MMA do you need to train for each sport differently to how you would train just for that sport?

Cornerman spoke to trainers in each field to find out.

101

“Obviously it’s more striking and to not be hit,” Hudson says.

“We work on a lot of hand-to-eye coordination, reaction times – speed, balance, coordination. You can’t concentrate too much on power.”

Hudson’s professional boxing charges include Vic Darchiniyan and Brad Pitt and he has also worked with UFC fighters Michael Bisping, James Te Huna and Ross Pearson.

To demonstrate how important the element of boxing, or standup is, Hudson tells the story of one of his pro boxers who went head to head with ten MMA fighters in training and didn’t hit the ground once.

“UFC stars couldn’t take a pro boxer down,” he says.

“Without standup you wouldn’t last long.”

You might be able to fight on the local club scene, but you definitely wouldn’t make it on an international stage without proper training in boxing.

KICKBOXING/MUAY THAI

Kickboxing is another standup art and many of things said above regarding boxing are also true of Muay Thai.

Luis Regis of Gracie Sydney says that training Muay Thai for MMA requires an extra level of caution in order to avoid takedowns. Some of the wilder moves in Muay Thai, such as uncontrolled swing kicks, should probably be avoided.

“You can’t standup so high. Muay Thai is one of the most important styles – you just have to change it a little bit,” he says.

WRESTLING

BOXING

Boxing trainer and judge Lincoln Hudson has been training boxing for over twenty years. He is head trainer at Blacktown Hit Squad and a trainer at Elite Fight Squad Penrith. Hudson has been teaching boxing to MMA and cage fighters for close to eight years.

“My theory is it [boxing] is imperative.

If you have no standup you’re in trouble,” he says.

But training for boxing as an element of MMA is totally different to training for professional boxing.

It has similarities to amateur boxing, Hudson says, in that not being hit is more important and fighters need to avoid close contact fighting. One concern they have, that other fighters don’t have, is being taken down.

July 2011

Olympic wrestler and trainer at Sydney University, Leonid Zaslavsky says that wrestling is the key to being a successful MMA fighter.

“If you have a look at most of the top MMA fighters, most of them have a wrestling background,” he says.

Wrestling offers control and if you don’t have control you can’t engineer takedowns.

Most of the time MMA fights end up on the ground and it is there, via submission or ground and pound, that fights are won.

Knockouts, either from kickboxing or boxing are, in comparison, rare.

“Without the control you might be able to take someone down but you can’t keep them there. In close contact none of the other disciplines offer the technique,” Zaslavsky says.

“It’s very technical and complicated.

Unless you just focus on the wrestling you start thinking too much about how you can apply it.”

But once you have acquired the skills the application comes naturally.

Different fighters will need to focus on different aspects of wrestling.

“If you’re a standup fighter you might focus on not being taken down so you can use your standup skills,” Zaslavsky says.

One of the key differences between wrestling and another discipline used on the ground in MMA fights, Jujitsu, is that jujutsu fighters don’t mind ending up on their backs, something that is anathema to wrestlers.

“With all due respect to Jujitsu and all the other arts when people get taken down if they’re not a wrestler they are quite happy to go to their back,” Zaslavsky says.

BRAZILIAN JUJITSU (BJJ)

Alex Prates is founder and head coach at MMA and BJJ gym TP Gym in Cronulla.

He is a long time BJJ student and holds a black belt.

“There are various martial arts that can provide you with each of these aspects [ground grappling, standup clinching and takedowns, and striking] but in my opinion BJJ is the best possible martial art you can have to cover the ground aspect of MMA,” he says.

But he is quick to admit that it is just one part of the MMA game and fighters need to apply the same commitment and preparation to all aspects of the sport.

He doesn’t believe that training for BJJ as part of MMA training is very different to just training for BJJ. “The fundamentals are the same and we train pure BJJ, just as we train pure wrestling and boxing,” he says.

But one of the difficult things for a BJJ artist looking to transition to MMA is getting used to being hit in the head.

“So take it on gradually until you get comfortable with getting punched in the face,” says Prates.

“It will always come down to strategy, if you have all those aspects [boxing, wrestling, Muay Thai, BJJ] developed it will give you a much bigger range of strategic possibilities.”

CORNERMAN VERDICT Many practitioners think their sport is the most important but you can’t fight MMA with just one discipline. The question is how much time and effort you’re going to devote to each sport.

We think you have to understand what you’re good at and focus on it but also develop enough of an understanding of the other arts to be able to use them effectively.

www.cornerman.com.au 33

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July 2011

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