World Championship Kickboxing makes its first foray into the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday, December 14th at the just opened spectacular Palms Casino Resort. The all professional six bout card features two IKKC world title fights and the first ever Omnoi Stadium Championship outside of Bangkok, Thailand.
The first fight of the night is set to go off at 6:30pm and pits two outstanding amateur fighters set to make their pro debut. Undefeated Joshua “The Avenger” Bendell will take on Fairtex Muay Thai’s rising star, Armando Ramos in a five round Jr. Welterweight non-title bout.
The second fight and first televised fight pits IKKC Intercontinental Muay Thai champion Craig “The Bullet” Buchanan squaring off against Thailand’s Somsak Phosrirueng who is a former stadium champion in Northern Thailand. Buchanan is hoping to extend his win streak to seven in a row after defeating champions from France, Japan, Eastern Europe, United States and England. Somsak hopes derail the champion who is on a collision course to face ISKA world champion, Alex Gong sometime in 2002 in Las Vegas
The third fight of the night features IKKC World Champion BM Sasiprapa defending his title against the US Champion James Cook. Both of these fighters display tremendous skills and Sasiprapa is training hard to defend his title against the highly regarded fighter from Fairtex who seems to improve with every bout.
The fourth fight will make history as Omnoi Stadium has agreed to sanction their championship title for the first time on foreign soil. Omnoi Stadium broadcasts their bouts in Thailand on Channel 3 and is considered by many as the pre-eminent stadium in Thailand. Their annual ISUZU Cup championship is the largest payday for a Muay Thai fighter in Thailand. Fasten your seat belts and get ready to witness a war!!!
The fifth fight and the main event of the evening pits two legends of the sport…Manson “The Master Blaster” Gibson and seven-time world champion Cheungpuek Kiatsongrit from Thailand. IKKC world champion Gibson will be defending his belt for the fourth time and if he is victorious, it will mark his 100th professional win. Gibson who defeated Kiatsongrit in Japan wants to make it two in a row and leave no doubt who the best 175-180 fighter in the world is. Kiatsongrit who just devastated a Dutch fighter with a one round KO last month to win another world title knows this fight will not be as easy and has trained extremely hard and is in the best shape of his career. It will be interesting to see how the odds in Vegas change on this fight as the fight gets closer….right now it seems like a toss-up.
To close the show, two top former amateur champions take to the ring….One, Scott Thorson will make his pro debut and the other Ed Wedding will take his unblemished pro recond into his second pro fight. These two fighters were slated to fight many times as amateurs, but for some reason the bout never took place. Now as pros and contracts signed…..there is no backing out in this heated highly anticipated fight.

The significance of this fight card demanded that it be broadcast live on iN Demand pay-per-view, which covers cable households throughout the United States. The event is also being carried on The Dish Network, Viewer’s Choice Canada and Bell Express Canada at a suggested price of $19.95.
The broadcast will begin at 7:00pm PST/10pm EST on December 14th.

But the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas is where fight fans will want to be as they will be able to wager on all six WCK fights for the first time in Las Vegas history. Betting lines will come out approximately seven days before fight night.
Join us live in Las Vegas or on iN Demand pay-per-view for an action packed night of World Championship Kickboxing.

THIS IS THE LATEST PRESS RELEASE FROM DENNIS WARNER AS OF 11-29-01

Thats what Somsak wants huh? :) Sounds like a good press release though. :)

I would guess Somsak just wants to win. Its just another fight. ;)

I hope to be there...

Mark L. Do you know if and when your coming? If so I would like to hook up with you I have alot of pictures from Guts & Glory II-Casino San Pablo Sat. July 21 2001 against Teravat Waenkaew.

I'm really hoping to make it...I don't know yet though.

I'd love to hook up if we get the chance though.

Interesting, isn't Cheungpeuk meant to be fighting in Queensland the same night?
Explanations anyone?

Wasn't that the MMa thing?

actually I think it was the next night! KB on 12-14 and MMA on 12-15..maybe he is trying to set some record!!!

ttt

I think my buds gonna drive. :)) Looks like I might make it. I hope so. Still need to know if Sosak is still on, otherwise we might not go.

Otherwise it looks good. If it works out I hope to see some of you guys there.

If anyonme knows Bob Chaney of Dennis Warner could they please ask if the paper work is all going through and e-mail me?

I phoned Bob Chaney but haven't heard back yet.

The 14th in North America is the 15th in Australia..we are 15 hours ahead.

Then that means!!!!!! your speaking to me from the future!ahhhhhhhhh
does that mean you could have told me yesterday afternoon my time who won the Monday night football game!???? :)

by the way! Please everyone! contact BS DirecTV and tell them it sucks that they are not carrying this show!!

feedback@mail.directv.com
email them 5 times a day every day until the show!!

Does anyone know if they will be fighting full muay thai rules, with elbows????

Playtime,

The only full muay thai rules will be the fighters from the Omnoi Stadium Lightweight Championship. Congratulations on the new baby!!! Tell Danny I said hello.

The rest aren't elbows???
How come? That really sucks.

Are you sure?

ttt

MOre info please...

Somsak is a go I just heard i should be able to make it. I hope to see some of you there.

The Flame. I hope to meet up. Let me know how much I'll owe you for the pictures.

Doesn't anyone have any input/comments on the Omnoi stadium championship??? That is a first time a Thai stadium championship has been fought outside of Thailand!!!!Not a big deal to you Muay Thai Nazi's?????

If I can make it I'm really looking forward to the Omnoi title fight in terms of two top fighters fighting each other.

I don't know what to think of it being a stadium title fight not in the stadium. I guess why not? It just doesn't seem right. But I guess it wouldn't since its not somthing that normally happens.

I think its good I guess. Maybe it just has to sink in.

The question is who is judging the title fight? I can't see Americans judging it. First I don't think that'd be fair and second its a stadium title and should be judged by the stadium officials.

In terms of the fight I am very interested. The fact that its a stdium title is strange..though I'm not saying its nessasarily bad. I just hope they have proper judges as MuayThai is judged very differently than 'MuayThai kickboxing' in the US.

I'm hoping to see Chiangpeuk and BM fight too.

I don't know most of the other guys though I have seen Gibson and heard of Craig.

I'm looking forward to the whole card.

Again-is the Omnoi stadium title the only one with elbows?? Vagas allows elbows. Are the rest of the fighters scared to use them??

Suppose to be MuayThai title fights in a state that allows elbows...shouldn't that mean the fights should be elbows?

Mark L.That is correct,only the Omnoi Stadium Lightweight Muay Thai Championship will be allowed to use elbows.The judges will be Thai; as well the ref. will also be Thai.There is talk of the thai's doing a seminar for some of our referee's over here.In my opinion we are about ten years behind the thai's,but we are catching up.The sooner we catch up,the sooner we will be seeing more fights with the use of the elbows in the U.S.A....

Good point.

I hope the Thais do some seminars and that others are willing to learn.

Maybe see you soon. I hope.

As of now I'm going :))

Who ever is gonna be there let me know.

Flame-looking forward to meeting you and if you have the pics let me know what I owe you. Thanks

I don't think Somsak is coming with anyone so I might help in the corner(who knows but maybe) Anyway i'll try to wear my Ax t-shirt.

:)) I'm happy :)

Hey John

Thanks for the congrats, I appreciate it. Do you have any pictures of Danny's win vs. Pedro at the Warriors Cup in June? It was a short fight but I figured I'd ask. Oh, anything from the last one vs. Cook in Victorville. If so I'd like to see them. Let me know. Thanks, and send me an e-mail when you are not busy.

I saw Manson Gibson defend his "WORLD MUAY THAI" championship against a Canadian fighter the other night on fox. The guy does not knee and his main weapons were the back kick and spinning backfist. Why is it called Muay Thai?
Shouldn't it be the "WORLD KICKBOXING" or even "WORLD F/C" title?
Actually, I think I saw him throw just one leg kick in three rounds!

when don wilson fought samart, he didn't use a "thai style" so was he not fighting under "muaythai" rules?

I think you missed my point.

Nong-O
I agree to a degree. Though I don't think thats MuayThai style and I don't think he should be called MuayThai, I think the ring is open to anyone that fights within the rules.

Titles...well to a degree they should represent MuayThai I guess but fights fight and I think that who ever wins wins.

Though most often niether are really MuayThai and the judging isn't MuayThai and there are great misunderstandings about MuayThai.

But if Karate can win with MuayThai rules against a Thai fighter then he wins. Period.

Hi guys
I trained with BM Sassisprapa - hes one tough customer. I knicknamed him 'Elvis' because of his fine square jaw (unusual for a thai) I think it was about the same time I met Bob Chaney. Bob had a writer in tow with him - a jitsu practitioner writing a book on fighting sports/martial arts. I did an interview for him, giving my views on Muay Thai. Wonder what happened to that book? Anyone know?
The Los Vagas show looks cool. Wish I could make it. Not much impressed with the no-elbows rule though, I expect it will put my friend BM at a dissadvantage. Also, cant see the thai judging going down well with the Los Vagas gambling public. In fact, I can envisage riots!

hehe they could be an issue. MuayThai judges differently. Too bad you can't make it. If you remember tell BM that I will see him soon. We talked a little bit a couple times.

Last time he was there with my opponent and we didn't talk quite as much. I'll be cheering him on. Tell him 'chok dee' please.

Actually I haven't seen him fight yet. I'm looking forward to it.

How sure are we that the fights are no elbows, besides the two Thais?

Master Toddy called today and he says he thinks it is. I told him I don't think so but I hope so.

Anyway, Flame, or anyone are you sure?

Thanks

Mark L.,
Nothing has changed. Full muay thai for the Omni championship only. Modified (meaning no elbows) muay thai for all other fights. Talk to you soon.

- Flame

damn, oh well it'll still be great...see you there

Mark L.,
I'm not sure if I made it clear that the thai officials that are coming are for the Omni Stadium lightweight championship fight only.I too, agree with you, I hope that the officials will take advantage of the seminar so that our sport will grow in all areas.

-The Flame

Does anybody know the betting Odds for the fights at the palms. Also what is the number to Indemand?

Too bad they aren't officiating all the fights...oh well.

It'll be better on the gambling not having them do it though.

Tricky Ricky-
The odds wont come out until the week of the fight and also there will a limit on how much you can bet and I will post it when it is available to me.

-The Flame

Who all is going?

Kev, Don, Chris

What was the refs name we met in Bangkok from Vagas? He was quite nice. I'm guessing he'll be there, maybe reffing.

I only remember his his first name - Steve. But on a tape matt made for me with some well known thai fights I saw him reffing one! I'll dig out the tape and make a clip foryou to see. I think they announce his name too.

Kevin

Steve should be good enough...there can't be that many refs right? Hopefully I'll run into him there. I wouldn't mind seeing the clip though.

Thanks

Here it is,
this is a fight between Kaolan Kaowichit and Kamel Mayouf.
click here to see.

Kevin

I cant go to vegas but I'll damn sure be spending my money to watch this. Note-even if you dont make alot of cash, keep putting on good shows and it will catch on.!

where was that?

I noticed M-150 was a sponcer and Thai commentators in the back ground...they just started talking about Steve but then the clip ends...not that I'd know what they said most likely. :)

Thanks Kev


Nobody-exactly...as long as the betters don't get too upset if they don't understand the judging. :P

Its just around the corner. Anybody know the odds yet?

Trickyricky

The odds were turned in today, but the hotel needs to take a look at them. I'll try to post them tomorrow night.

The Flame

Still waiting on the odds :)

I am interested in betting myself andam thinking about Chiangpeuk and Somsak. I want to know about the last time Chiangpeuk and Manson fought. i heard the result but am interested in a little more info. Also Somsak I have seen fight twice. Once when very very sick and once with no training for at least 4 months, maybe more. I will not hide that I will be working Somsaks corner but I am also interested as I'd like to bet on the fight. Maybe I'll bet on Craig and do shitty corner work. :P Just kidding.


Anyone? Thanks

Hey Mark L.
We are still waiting for the hotel to get back with the odds. Right now it looks like,
Josh Bendell over Armondo Romas, Scott Thorson even Ed Wedding, BM Sasiprapa over James Cook,Craig Buchanan over Somsak Phosrirueng but very close,The Omnoi Stadium Lightweight Muay Thai Championship defending champ Thongthai over num.1 contender Tawapitnoi.And last but not least,Manson Gipson even with Cheungpuek Kiatsongrit. This is not yet offical.

Flame

Sounds like a good start...thanks.

Im on my way to vegas...

tricky-I'll be there.

I'll try to wear my Ax t-shirt to the fights(I'm wondering if your suppose to dress up though.

Let me know who you are or look for me there.

Anyone else going...I think I've met about 15 Ax members so far and I must say everyone has seemed quite nice.

I am Craigs main corner man. Find me after his fight. Ill look for the AX shirt. All of us AX members should get together for a drink after the fights.

See Ya there!!!

Sounds good to me.

You got a name?

Rick,
Have fun in Vegas! Try to hold on to some $$$ :) Tell Craig I said good luck!
by the way! I did get to watch him spar a bit at Chaneys last Wednesday!
He looked very sharp,in my ignorant opinion, I feel bad for that Valente guy!
I think He will make a good showing on PPV!!!
Is Dan making the trip?????

i hear ramba is fighting on this event. has anyone else heard this?

Kirk,
Where did you hear that??? btw..tonight is the night!

i hear george tsutsui is fighting too

ttt

I'am back a little tired but excited,this was a good way to finish the year.The semniar for the referee's looked like it went well. I know it will take more than a hour to train and better prepare our referee's for our knee's, clenching,kneck wrestling, little alone elbow's.But this to is a step in the right direction. We have talked about sending two referee's per year to Thai Land to train with the referee's there and atend as many fights as they can in two weeks. But this will take time and planing.

With the exception of Somsak every one on the poster fought,and even that one almost happend.

So thank you Dennis and Bob for a job well none. We have many pictures, and will share some the highlights with you soon as I get caught up.

Flame

cool...the ref thing sounds awsome...

Ive seen the bald headed guy try and ref before. He tried to ref Sari and Orono in Vegas and he messed up a couple of good clinches. He acted like they were doing something wrong.

Flame, do you know if Dennis is still doing a card in San Diego in January? He told me he wants to put Miguel in against the guy that beat the hell out of Adam Garcia.

Hi Doug,
Dennis will be doing a show Jan. 26, in Del Mar. I think that it is the one your talking about.

What is Miguel's wieght? I think those guys are a little bit heavy...no??? What about my friend Mark L. from Canada? His last fight was 147 and he is back in training. He will be getting down at 140. That might be a good fight. But I am not sure if Mark will be ready that soon.

I think his name is Emyr Dakin. He fought Brian Dobler in Maywood at Denise's show. I believe that the weight was 159 or 160. Maybe he lost a lot of weight.

See you in January Doug.
Flame

I'm gonna give myself till the end of Jan to see how my body holds out and see if I can traibn proper again. I'll be taking care of Gold Lion Abbotsford as well and will have to make sure I have time to train myself, which I think I will. I'll also want to train proper and I think pads is important. My old trainer from Lampang should be coming soon...hopefully in Jan.

So by Feb I should know whats what.

But I think I'll be back...and better than ever. :)

Just left LAX headed for the Palm in Las Vegas

Manson Gibson at a Local Fight in Southern California about 2 weeks before Show Down.

Cheungpuek right before weigh in.

Too bad you can't see Tongtais calfs better...man they were big. :)

Chiangpeuk and Manson are getting up there right? He looked so different than the videos. He looked older and younger in a way too.

Check out the Calves on this Guy!

Check out the Calves on this Guy!
How you like this one? Man what are you doing up? Don't you ever sleep?

Check out the Calves on this Guy!
How you like this one? Man what are you doing up? Don't you ever sleep?

To bad to it had to end in a cut, this would have been a great fight.

Nice guy great attitude.

Fighters with their trainers, I do not have the names of the trainers at this time but Mark probably knows who they are.

Here's a picture of the fighters with the exception of Manson and Valente.

This is big step in the right direction.

More of the same.

More of the same.

More of the same.

More of the same.

Dennis Warner, John McPhail, Blinky Rodriguez, Mark Brackenbury having a real Show Down.

Hey Craig maybe next time they can get someone your size.

Theres the huge legs...pretty stocky, especially for a Thai an man those legs are huge...

Sorry I don't know the trainers, although Tongtai says he trains in Pattaya. I saw the one guy on an Omnoi video yesterday. I don't know if hes a trainer or owner or what...

Cool pics...is strange seeing Blinky and not hearing anything. :P Hes a good person to get lost with. :)

Thanks again John for everything.

You are welcome Mark, I'll post more pictures later. Marry Christmas to you and every one on Ax.

Flame.

For all the Cheungpuek fans even though we didn't get to see much at the Super Showdown. Cheungpuek has signed a contract for three more fights in the USA for 2002. So stay tune for more to come.

Flame

SO THE MAIN THING HERE IS ! ? WHAT WAS THE RESULTS ??? GREAT PICS: NO RESULTS ?? PLEASE CAN YOU GIVE ME / US A RUN DOWN ??? CHEERS ! SANDY MAN HOLT U.K.M.T.A
www.thaiboxing.co.uk

Sandy what's up?
The post results are on "Nobody's thoughts on Vegas". Mark L. gives more info. on the fight. He was there with me.

Cheers,
Flame

Sandy what's up?
The post results are on "Nobody's thoughts on Vegas". Mark L. gives more info. on the fight. He was there with me.

Cheers,
Flame

thanks ! FLAME ! just thought they mightve been on here as this is the topic ! cheers anyway ! also anyone know why Somsak didnt fight Craig Buchanan ??
my fighter fought Craig earlier this year on one of Dennis shows in Craigs back yard Victorville c/a ! a top fight and we lost ( John Hale my gym u.k.m.t.a. ) by `1` ??? point ?? a slight home / biased result but we accepted it ! and are looking for a re-match ! DENNIS ??? Craig ? Tricky etc: in Vegas ! full muay-thai-rules this time please ! instead of the yanks weak version of NO ELBOWS AT ALL ???? even to the body ?? as we do in U.K. and to the head also in agread matches and pro / title bouts ! What is it that it has to be done / called as MODIFIED ?? muay-thai ?? i think its crap ! but thats just my opp:
cheers sandy man holt u.k.m.t.a
www.thaiboxing.co.uk

Somsak-visa problems...

Sorry Sandy,there were two other post's up all ready I didn't want to keep repeating the same thing. But I will after Christmas for any one that hasn't seen the other post's.


Cheers,Flame.

Ok I'm back hope everybody had a good Christmas here's the results for the Las Vegas fights.
The first fight of the night featured Craig "The Bullet" Buchanan winning a Unanimous decision over Tony Valente. Here's a couple of pictures to go with it.

Craig and Tony going at it.

More of the same.

Craig Buchanan defends his IKKC World Title December 14, 2001

This is BM Sasiprapa and James Cook
BM defends his World Title successfully with a split decision.

Beginning of the Fight.

More of the Same

More of the Same.

More of the Same.

End of the Fight.

Third Fight features the main event of the night.
Cheungpuek and Gibson
Winner Manson Gibson K.O. Second Round

Manson putting on a show before the start of the Fight.

Start of the Fight.

More of the same.

Cheungpuek K.O. by Gibson

Manson wins 100th Professional Fight.

Manson here with new Recording Sensation Rachael Monteilh.

The Fourth Fight of the night features The Omni Stadium Lightweight Muay Thai Championship special attraction. Defending Champion Thongthai successfully defended his Lightweight title against Tawapitnoi, stopped at the end of the third round because of a large cut over Tawapitnoi eyebrow.

Some of the action in the Omni Fight.

Thongthai with Ref after Fight.

Thongthai with Trainer and Corner man.

Denis Warner and Sudjai with Champ after Fight.

Bob Chaney with the Thai Fighters he helped bring over for this Fight.

Pre Fight Picture Scott Thorson on the Left Eddie Wedding on the Right Eddie Wedding wins unanimous decision over Scott Thorson.

Little Bit of the Action in the 5th Fight of the Night.

Pre Fight Josh Bendell on the Left and Armando Ramos on Right

Little Bit of Action in the last fight of the night.

Josh Bendell Winner by decision.

From Left to Right
Bob Chaney, Josh Bendell, Young Kong, Takoon

Mistake on the Order of the People in the Above Picture
Takoon, Chris Griegory, Bob Chaney, Cecil Peoples, Josh Bendell, Somya, Super Model Sonia Couling, Young Kong,

From Left to Right
Bob Chaney, Josh Bendell, Young Kong, Takoon

Tawapitnoi in a recent magazine advertising the SKV Gym in Thailand.

More of the Same