Schilling vs. Marcus, Mulkey vs. Choplin and more
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www.muaythaiauthority.com

We previously announced four fights that are expected to take place at Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 5”. There are three more bouts that are expected to take place at the event. The three additional bouts as well as the pervious four have not been officially announced by Lion Fight Promotions, but sources close to the situation have informed Muay Thai Authority that the bouts are expected to take place at their February 25th event in Las Vegas.

The night’s main event is expected to be a light heavyweight bout between Joe Schilling of Los Angeles, CA and Simon Marcus of Toronto, Canada. Schilling is coming off the biggest win in his career, a one sided knockout of Kaoklai in the first round. Marcus last competed in China where he took home a fifth round (T)KO, but American fans got to see him action in September when he defeated Artem Vakhitov in Long Beach, CA. The bout has been asked for by fans and now it seems it will come to fruition.

The nights co-main event is expected to feature a bout between the 2011 Muay Thai Authority Breakthrough Fighter of the Year winner Chaz Mulkey and France’s Gregory Choplin. Mulkey had a phenomenal 2011 campaign and will look to build on a five-fight win streak in 2012. His last fight was a unanimous decision victory of the UK’s Simon Chu at Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 4”. Choplin will be looking to end a two-fight skid; he has dropped his last two fights to highly ranked fighters Abdallah Mabel and Yohan Lidon.

Young gun Anthony Castrejon is also expected to fight on the event against Francisco Barragan from Texas. Castrejon will be looking to get his third consecutive win and push his pro record to 3-0. He defeated Ryan Ratcliffe by (T)KO in August of 2011 at Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 3”. Barragan who trains under Saekson Janjira in has been active in MMA as of late with mixed results.

As previously mentioned none of these fights have been made official by Lion Fight Promotions, but sources close to the situation have informed Muay Thai Authority that the bouts are expected to take place at “Battle in the Desert 5”.

Expected Fight Card*:
Joe Schilling vs. Simon Marcus
Chaz Mulkey vs. Gregory Choplin
Matt Embree vs. Coke Chunhawat
Scotty Leffler vs. Sheldon Gaines
Kit Cope vs. Jose Palacios
Vivian Leung vs. Tiffany Van Soest
Anthony Castrejon vs. Francisco Barragan
Eduardo Morais vs. TBA

*No bouts have been officially announced by Lion Fight Promotions


www.muaythaiauthority.com

simons a good mate and is seriously badass...i expect a tko from him against schilling tbh. his muaythai skills for a big guy are smooth as any iv seen

Choplin is great fighter also looks a good show : )

quite some statement liam, sounds good, what weight is the fight at?

fuck i just realised who it is i know him too, yeah fuckin hell simon will murder him, no contest. simon is a beast of a guy trains hard as hell. he is massive for around that weight. this will be a good fight but marcus clearly the winner, simon isnt as good as damien hood was liam. damien was an absolute killing machine, the best bigger guy england ever had in my opinion (which is biased of corse as damien is an old friend) but looking past the friendship he was seriously fucking good

For fuck sake Kit Cope will pull out before the fight with a mysterious injury.


And Simon Marcus is a machine for sure, I would be a little cautious about him fighting SChilling whos Thai skills wont not be as good but hes a tough nut aswell and big for the weight aswell.

yeah agreed paul he did blow hot and cold sometimes like against fash and gav sterrit but when he was on form his strenght and left kick were ridiculous, his size 18 feet slapping in the ribs must have been awful he beat dipaulo easily when dipaulo was in his prime

mate i held pads for him getting ready for the di poalo pads and i submitted i said " mate i just cant hold them for you your gonna break my arms!" he said "ok il just go fast and sharp!" 3 kicks later and that was it i was like "fuck this mate i cant hold for you, you are too strong my arms are fucked up!" totally black and blue the next day!

yeah it was a disgracfeul kick the noise it was making was outrageous

Joe Schilling has signed a multi-fight deal with Las Vegas-based Muay Thai fight organization, Lion Fight Promotions. In today’s rising Muay Thai industry, Schilling is the first fighter to sign an exclusive deal.


Schilling’s first fight under this new deal will be at Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 5” against Simon Marcus from Canada. The bout is anticipated by many to be Schilling’s toughest test to date.

For Muay Thai fans that means that if you want to see Joe Schilling fight in America, you better book your plane ticket to Las Vegas. The February 25th event at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will Schilling vs. Marcus at the main event, as well as Lion Fight Promotions regular Chaz Mulkey taking on Frances’ Gregory Choplin.


Below is the official press release from Lion Fight Promotions on Schilling’s new deal.


LAS VEGAS, NEV. (Jan. 5, 2012) – WBC Interim World Light Heavyweight Muay Thai Champion Joe Schilling (12-1 (10 KO’s), one of America’s premiere American combatants, has signed a new multi-fight agreement with leading Las Vegas-based Muay Thai fight organization, Lion Fight Promotions.


The 27 year-old Los Angeles, Calif. resident will kick off his new contract when he squares off with top contender Simon Marcus (42-2-2 (24 KO’s) of Toronto, Ontario Canada in the main event of Lion Fight Promotions: Battle In The Desert 5, Live from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Sat., Feb. 25.


Ticket on-sale information for Battle In The Desert 5, Live from The Joint will be announced soon as will the remainder of the fight card.

“Lion Fight Promotions is taking the bull by the horns as far as bringing the sport of Muay Thai to mainstream America and making it a major sport here, so it’s the perfect home for me because Muay Thai is my life and I want to fight the best fighters out there on a big stage ,” said the 6-foot-3 Schilling, who has been referred to as “Muay Thai’s version of Mike Tyson” for his merciless style of fighting in the ring.

“Joe Schilling is one of the best talents in the sport of Muay Thai today,” said Lion Fight Promotions President Scott Kent. “He’s explosive, brutal and he has a burning desire to become one of the all-time greats in our incredible sport. We’re excited to have him on board with Lion Fight Promotions for the long run and we’re looking forward to putting on some great shows with him.”

Schilling is coming off a stunning first round KO of former K-1 World Grand Prix tournament champion and decorated Muay Thai champion Kaoklai Kaennorsing of Bangkok, Thailand on Oct 21 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles . Schilling put Kaennorsing down for the first time just 25 seconds into the matchup with a powerful right hook to the head and, a second time with a straight right hand 42 seconds into the fight.

After recovering from the second knockdown, Kaennorsing did his best to tie up the aggressive Schilling, who found his mark once again at 2:46 of the first round, crumbling Kaennorsing with another hard right hand that prompted the referee to stop the fight and award Schilling his greatest victory to date.

The Feb. 25 fight with Marcus will mark Schilling’s second career fight with Lion Fight Promotions. Last Aug. 20, Schilling captured the WBC USA light heavyweight title by scoring a brutal first round (2:38) KO on Brandon Banda with a straight left knee strike to the jaw that rendered Banda unconscious on the canvas. 

“I’m not going to outpoint (Marcus). I’m going to knock him out. That’s what I do,” said Schilling.

Schilling, a native of Dayton, Ohio, comes from the school of hard knocks. Raised by a single mother, Schilling, the youngest of three boys, was expelled from four different schools before reaching high school when he suddenly discovered his passion that would give him direction and focus – martial arts, namely Muay Thai style kickboxing.

Not long after being kicked out of his home at age 17, Schilling acted on his dream of relocating to California. He touched down in Los Angeles where he found a Muay Thai trainer in Mark Komuro.

Together, Schilling and Komuro eventually converted a former jail in Lincoln Heights, a lower income section of Los Angeles, into a Muay Thai gym and named their training camp “The Yard,” after the outdoor location in jailhouses where prisoners do assigned work.

I've watched a few of Marcus' fights online now, as Paulinthailand says, he is a beast and a technically superior fighter to Schilling. Having said that, he seems to struggle against aggressive fighters and I thought he lost to Artem at the end of last year. I think Schilling has a chance of beating him if he goes all out and doesn't get caught. It'll be a great fight to watch though for sure, any chance of it being shown online?

nakamabrand.com/content/2012/01/joe-schilling-v-simon-marcus

Muay Thai Authority just announced Joe ‘Stitch Em Up’ Schilling (Nakama post HERE)will be facing off against Simon Marcus (Nakama post HERE)at Battle in the Desert 5 on February 25th in Las Vegas. I’ve been lucky enough to see both of them live in action am huge fan of both highly explosive fighters. Although I want to see more of the top North American (Marcus is Canadian) Muay Thai fighters compete with top international superstars, it is still GREAT to see these two guys go at it.

WBC Interim World Light Muay Thai Heavyweight Champion, Knockout Artist Joe Schilling Signs Multi-Fight Agreement With Lion Fight Promotions
Schilling To Face Top Contender Simon Marcus Feb. 25 At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS(Jan. 9, 2012) – WBC Interim World Light Heavyweight Muay Thai Champion Joe Schilling (12-1 (10 KO’s), one of America’s premiere American combatants, has signed a new multi-fight agreement with leading Las Vegas-based Muay Thai fight organization, Lion Fight Promotions.

The 27 year-old Los Angeles resident will kick off his new contract when he squares off with top contender Simon Marcus (42-2-2 (24 KO’s) of Toronto, Ontario Canada in the main event of Lion Fight Promotions: Battle In The Desert 5, Live from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Sat., Feb. 25.

Ticket on-sale information for Battle In The Desert 5, Live from The Joint will be announced soon as will the remainder of the fight card. “Lion Fight Promotions is taking the bull by the horns as far as bringing the sport of Muay Thai to mainstream America and making it a major sport here, so it’s the perfect home for me because Muay Thai is my life and I want to fight the best fighters out there on a big stage,” said the 6-foot-3 Schilling, who has been referred to as “Muay Thai’s version of Mike Tyson” for his merciless style of fighting in the ring.

“Joe Schilling is one of the best talents in the sport of Muay Thai today,” said Lion Fight Promotions President Scott Kent. “He’s explosive, brutal and he has a burning desire to become one of the all-time greats in our incredible sport. We’re excited to have him on board with Lion Fight Promotions for the long run and we’re looking forward to putting on some great shows with him.”

Schilling is coming off a stunning first round KO of former K-1 World Grand Prix tournament champion and decorated Muay Thai champion Kaoklai Kaennorsing of Bangkok, Thailand on Oct 21 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. Schilling put Kaennorsing down for the first time just 25 seconds into the matchup with a powerful right hook to the head and, a second time with a straight right hand 42 seconds into the fight.

After recovering from the second knockdown, Kaennorsing did his best to tie up the aggressive Schilling, who found his mark once again at 2:46 of the first round, crumbling Kaennorsing with another hard right hand that prompted the referee to stop the fight and award Schilling his greatest victory to date.

The Feb. 25 fight with Marcus will mark Schilling’s second career fight with Lion Fight Promotions. Last Aug. 20, Schilling captured the WBC USA light heavyweight title by scoring a brutal first round (2:38) KO on Brandon Banda with a straight left knee strike to the jaw that rendered Banda unconscious on the canvas.

“I’m not going to outpoint (Marcus). I’m going to knock him out. That’s what I do,” said Schilling.Schilling, a native of Dayton, Ohio, comes from the school of hard knocks. Raised by a single mother, Schilling, the youngest of three boys, was expelled from four different schools before reaching high school when he suddenly discovered his passion that would give him direction and focus – martial arts, namely Muay Thai style kickboxing.

Not long after being kicked out of his home at age 17, Schilling acted on his dream of relocating to California. He touched down in Los Angeles where he found a Muay Thai trainer in Mark Komuro.

Together, Schilling and Komuro eventually converted a former jail in Lincoln Heights, a lower income section of Los Angeles, into a Muay Thai gym and named their training camp “The Yard,” after the outdoor location in jailhouses where prisoners do assigned work.

About Lion Fight PromotionsLion Fight Promotions is a Las Vegas, Nevada-based world championship Muay Thai kickboxing promotion dedicated to producing matchups between the best Muay Thai fighters in the world in their respective weight classes. Led by former Las Vegas casino executive, Scott Kent, the promotional company has been developed in consultation with Christine Toledo, one of the sport's most popular champions and star of the Oxygen Network reality television show Fight Girls. Both Kent and Toledo share a common passion for Muay Thai and are working together to promote the sport.

About Hard Rock Hotel & CasinoHard Rock Hotel & Casino is Las Vegas’ off-strip playground, just minutes and less than three miles from McCarran International Airport. The premier destination entertainment resort is owned by Brookfield Real Estate Finance Fund II, a division of Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM) and managed by WG-Harmon, LLC, a subsidiary of Warner Gaming, LLC. Built in 1995, the property completed a $750 million expansion in 2010. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers an energetic entertainment and gaming experience with the services and amenities associated with a boutique luxury resort hotel. The property is known for its innovative nightlife and music scene where acts such as The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney, Incubus, Linkin Park, Foo Fighters and Carlos Santana have all performed. Features of the property include an 11-story Casino Tower with 640 guest rooms, 17-story Paradise Tower with 490 rooms and suites and the all-suite HRH Tower with 359 suites, eight spa villas and seven penthouse suites; 72,000 square feet of casino space; 80,000 square feet of flexible meeting and convention space; more than $3 million in rare music memorabilia throughout the hotel; the luxurious Vanity Nightclub; Reliquary Water Sanctuary & Spa; Reliquary Salon; 4.8 acres of tropical pool paradise; REHAB, the trendsetting Sunday afternoon pool party; The Joint concert venue; Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co.; restaurants including traditional steakhouse with an edge 35 Steaks + Martinis, tapas hotspot Johnny Smalls, Mexican cantina Pink Taco, ‘round the clock diner Mr. Lucky’s Café and world-renowned Nobu; numerous cocktail lounges including The Lounge across from Pink Taco, Peacock Lounge and Blitzed Sports Lounge; and a state-of-the-art Fitness Center. For room availability and additional information call 800.HRD.ROCK (800.473.7625) or visit www.hardrockhotel.com.

holy shit bat man! that marcus looks like a monster I don't know him but thats gunna be a fight and a half. Schilling is aggressive and a bit wild and sometimes he looks like he just confuses opponents with that. I'd rather fight a Lumpinee champion with clinical technique than a windmiller. Not taking anything away from schilling coz he's good and in the gym he looks good but then his temper/aggression takes over in ring and footwork disappears. Gunna look at some of the marcus fights now :-)

Marcus is fight and good technique and smart. Hoping he weathers the maniac storm of shcilling and wears him down to defeat in later rounds...

www.totalmuaythai.com

On February 25th,2012 Lion Fight Promotions will be hosting "Battle in the Desert 5" Live from the Joint, WBC full rules Muay Thai fight card at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. In the main event, 27-year-old WBC Interim World Light Heavyweight (175 pounds) Champion Joe "Stitch Em Up" Schilling (12-1 (10 KO’s) of Los Angeles, Calif. will take on undefeated top contender Simon "Bad Boy" Marcus (22-0 (17 KO’s) of Toronto, Ontario Canada.
Otherwise known as Simon Sor Suchart, Simon comes out of the Siam No.1 Muay Thai Academy, under the tutelage of Ajahn Suchart Yodkerepauprai. The same camp that Clifton Brown, and Matt Embree come out of.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Muay Thai:Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions Simon. How familiar are you with your opponent Joe Schilling?
Simon Marcus: I've seen a few of his fight's and know he is regarded as the best in his weight division in America.

Total Muay Thai: What do you think of his fighting style?

Simon Marcus: I think he has a strong exciting fighting style but I don't think he is a complete fighter. And I will exploit his weaknesses.

Total Muay Thai: Did you see Joe Schilling's first round knockout of Kaoklai last year in Los Angeles, CA?

Simon Marcus: Yes.

Total Muay Thai: Are you expecting a real tough fight? Are you taking this fight more seriously than ones in the past?

Simon Marcus: I never have set expectations for any fight so I prepare for a tough fight. And No I am not taking this fight more serious than past fight's I always prepare 100% for every fight. And I don't think Schilling is any exception.

Total Muay Thai: Do you expect Joe Schilling to come out really aggressive from the get go?

Simon Marcus: I don't have any expectation going into fight's. But I hope he does.
Total Muay Thai: Are you preparing & training specifically for Joe Schilling's fighting style, or do you stick to a routine training regiment?

Simon Marcus: Mostly I stick to a routine regiment. I'm well rounded and when I get in the ring it is about my performance and not my opponent's.

Total Muay Thai: What do you think of Kaoklai as far as a fighter?

Simon Marcus: I think Kaoklai is an exceptional warrior who is willing to fight anyone. In my opinion he is past his peak and perhaps not motivated. He is not the same fighter he once was but I respect him a great deal.

Total Muay Thai: What is going on with the Muay Thai Premier League?

Simon Marcus: I am not at liberty to comment about the MPL. But expect to see much more of the best Muay Thai fight's in 2012.

Total Muay Thai: Who are some other fighters you'd like to fight in your weight division?

Simon Marcus: Artem Levin, Louchine Ausnie and anybody in the world.

Total Muay Thai: Are you going to try to outpoint him, or are you going to try to knock him out?

Simon Marcus: I will try to Knock him out as I do with all my opponent's, But I never take risks if they are not completely necessary.

Total Muay Thai: What do you think of the fighters here in the United States & the progressive growth here?

Simon Marcus: I think there are good fighter's in the U.S. but on an international scale they are not at the top level in Muay Thai yet. But they are getting better over the years.

Total Muay Thai: Do you have a message for Joe Schilling?

Simon Marcus: Schilling say your prayer's because on Feb/25/12 you will be exposed. And if you were a real champ you would put your belt on the line.

www.totalmuaythai.com

Good interview. I'm not entirely sure if the pen is mightier than the sword in muay thai, but if it does have an impact, my money is now firmly on Marcus. Does anyone have a link where you can pay to watch this online or not?

heyyyyy, muaythai11-- i went to the lion fight website to attempt to email someone there responsible for matchmaking.. but to no avail. If you could put me in contact with the right people it would be most appreciated. my email is

phaderlanx@hotmail.com

If joe isn't willing to put his belt on the line against marcus, maybe he would versus another american... i would very much like to fight for the north american wbc belt... I've tried to get in touch with you guys through other west coast fighters, but so far no luck.

theys guys are giting crazy

Andrew Kapel
hears the info

Lion Fight Promotions is recruiting new local Las Vegas amateur fighters. Please send fighter profiles (include full name, age, weight, height, record, gym, trainer, contact info) to christine@lionfightpromotions.com. Thank you.

Things are starting to get heated here.
Should make for an interesting evening .

yaaaaaaaa... I've emailed that address.. twice.

Perhaps the best way to get notoriety is to talk a bit of shit. Seems like it works for a lot of other fighters, but id rather just fight good opponents..

Im A class 83kg, and for awhile now, Ive been trying to get a high profile fight with schilling or anyone else who holds titles.. no one gets back to me.
Perhaps promotions don't want to bring an unknown through who might wreck their poster boy. ..

Hah, stick a video up of you fighting before giving it the big one Andrew... Maybe they don't want you because you're a bit shit?

k heres from 2 years ago. neungsiam and nat mcintyre cornered me.

NSAC approves winner take all scenario for Joe Schilling vs. Simon Marcus at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"


You here fighters talking all the time, most of the time it’s just hot air. Let it be known that Joe Schilling and Simon Marcus are not those type of fighters. The phrase “put your money where you mouth is” is expected to be in full effect at Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 5” when Joe Schilling and Simon Marcus step into the ring. What first started as on-line jawing between the two has now turned their fight into a winner take all. All thought it has not been officially announced, Muay Thai Authority has been informed by very reliable sources that the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has approved the winner take all scenario and that both fighters have agreed as well. This will be the first time that any fight promotion will feature a winner take all fight.

The talks started when in an interview with TotalMuayThai.com Simon Marcus stated “Schilling say your prayer's because on Feb/25/12 you will be exposed. And if you were a real champ you would put your belt on the line.” The battle then hit facebook when Simon Marcus responded to a Joe Schilling interview by saying “Since Joe is sooo confident, Let him know I'm down to put my whole purse up on this one.... Winner takes all...!!! Put your money$$ were your big Dead mouth is!” In true Joe Schilling fashion he
responded with the following “Just talked to the promoter. You know your better off taking your purse to the sports book and betting on me but if you want to go back to Canada broke and broken thats fine with me. You a pop tart sweetheart you soft in the middle. I'll match your purse. Your on!!!”

You have to give kudos not only to Joe Schilling and Simon Marcus for backing up their talk, but to Scott Kent and Lion Fight Promotions for stepping up to the plate and not letting this simply go down as a bunch of irrelevant internet banter. The fight between Schilling and Marcus is already highly anticipated by fans and the interest is expected to increase now that it is winner take all.

All of the action will be going down February 25th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. As soon as Muay Thai Authority can get an official announcement from Lion Fight Promotions we will let everyone know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxke8d-Bb-Q&feature=related

this guy marcus is a serious beast

im telling you hes class trained with him and known him for a while proper nice genuine guy too. ill be surprised if schilling beats him

Andrew that was a good fight and you'd definitely dust me even if I was the same size as you, but I think both Schilling and Marcus would stop you if you fought either of them.

i dont see other than an early ko that schiilling can beat him, all the hype of ko'ing koaklai who really has been a 3-4 out of 10 fighter the last 5 years, this is a real fight against a very credible opponant. if joe wins got to give him some respect but i just cant see it id say simon is 80% to win

http://www.muaythaiauthority.com/2012/02/pictures-simon-marcus-training-for.html

i can see shcilling swarming marcus and dropping him or stopping him, marcus does look technial and strong though

also gotta say i like these team usa guys, all seem like top fellas and love a scrap, they will play a big part in the future of mt in the states

I'm sorry I don't believe in the hype. I saw the video of his 'pro' smoking straight after winning his last title. The one thing the Americans have over every nation is weight cutting. Put this guy up against someone who can cut like he does and he'll get shown up.

its going to be a good fight i think if ther aint a ko in the first or secont its going all 5 joe havent ben out the first round in 4 or 5 fights so that might work agenst joe if it gos the DISTANCE

muaythaiislife.com


If you haven’t heard all of the back and forth trash talking going on between American Muay Thai buzzsaw Joe Schilling and Canadian “Bad Bwoy” Simon Marcus in the lead up to their much anticipated clash on February 25th in Las Vegas, then I have to wonder what you are even doing calling yourself a Muay Thai fan. These two guys have gone out full force to rile each other up, even going as far as putting their full fight purses on the line in an effort to make this fight even more attractive to the fans. It is a definite winner takes all bout where the victor not only takes the win, the bragging rights, and the respect, but also walks away with all the dough. While some people may not be the biggest fans of trash talking and feel that Muay Thai in the U.S. should emulate the respect and camaraderie shown in Thailand, there are others who see nothing wrong with a little back and forth banter before the fight in order to make things a little more interesting.

In my opinion, both of these guys have kept things relatively civil. And as Simon Marcus will tell you in MTiL’s exclusive phone interview with him about the fight, it’s really all about two stand up guys feeling confident enough in their abilities to lay it all out in the ring. Neither Joe or Simon are taking this fight lightly and they both realize that the next possible step after this very important bout could be a shot at the man with the belt and the title of WBC World Champion, Artem “The Lion” Levin. I would say we should expect to see fireworks on Feb. 25th in Las Vegas but that would be an understatement. When both of these titans collide at Lion Fight Promotions’ “Battle in the Desert 5″ expect that those in attendance will gasp so violently in excitement during the bout, that the arena will become a black hole like vacuum that will cause Las Vegas and the entire state of Nevada to collapse unto itself. I for one am so excited for this bout that my heart may not be able to withstand the sheer awesomeness of this bout. So if on February 26th, you hear that Eric Rivera from Muay Thai is Life is no longer with us, than you can be sure the cause was “death by an overdose of Muay Thai badassery”

Below is our exclusive interview with Simon!

yeah @wannabepunk, appreciate it, but all I'm asking for is the opportunity to prove otherwise. I don't mind being the underdog ;)

www.Muay Thai Authority.com



With the population in the billions how does a man stand out? What must he do to make his name be remembered? Though there are many paths to celebrity not all of them are clean. Some are dark and dirty, demeaning and obscene, and those who choose to walk them lose respect and esteem. Despite all that, these devious directions were still taken by some to enter the pages of history. Notorious names like the infamous Hitler took such routes to reach it. But of course, his was a path true righteous men would not likely pick. Of the countless passages to prominence there are better ways to fame. Ways that don’t guilt the heart and where the clouds of regret don’t form. At seventeen and at a crossroad in his life, Simon Marcus contemplated his future from the cramped discomfort of a jail. He pondered for alternatives to steer him from the road of wrong, for a better way of life that did not risk his freedom, nothing like the one that had led to incarceration. What came to his rescue was Muay Thai, and since stepping forth in its direction he found his saving road, a path more righteous in reaching his dream, of being remembered, of becoming a legend. This is his story.


Simon’s pledge to pursue Muay Thai was decided eight years ago. Since then the credentials he earned justifies the choice correct. After three professional years Marcus accumulated an undefeated record of twenty-two wins and seventeen knockouts. So far his most highlighted year came in 2010 winning the Sports Accord Combat Games (81kg-Gold Medal). Also in 2010 at Northern Thailand and Thaphae Stadium, after topping competition he was crowned the title of Light Heavyweight Champion. Prior to turning pro in 2009 he was WKA’s North American Muay Thai Amateur Champ (Cruiser-Weight Division). In 2008 he won Silver from the World Amateur Muay Thai Competition. The previous year it was Gold he took home at the same event in Thailand. Trained under Ajahn Suchart, the Toronto native has also been featured in the Muay Thai Premier League. To top it off he is close friends with Buakaw Por Pramuk, a connection he made with the legend while training eight months at his gym: “As far as fighter's go I currently look up to Buakaw Por Pramuk. Reason being he is in my opinion the best in the world and is also the perfect example of how beautiful and effective Muay Thai is…I have never seen anybody in this sport work as hard as Buakaw. Not only that he also is the most disciplined fighter I have even witnessed.”


But Marcus doesn’t feel content with these achievements. To him they don’t speak enough for his relevance in the sport. To him what vouches for a successful career is rooted in self-assurance, in knowing that you have no equal as a fighter: “My dream to be at the top of the world is what keeps me hungry. When I prove to myself that I can defeat any man out of seven billion on this planet I will feel validated. Also when my name is known as one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters ever. In other words to become a Legend. At twenty-five years old he still has the youth to fulfill that vow he made. He also has the focus: “I set out to become the best in the world. It was a challenge that I set out to accomplish and have never looked back since.” After adopting that attitude these days he is a model for criminal reform. He is a living definition of inspiration, but what he stands for today is a product of hard work that took years to become.


Before his introduction to Muay Thai, Simon “Bad Bwoy” Marcus lived the reputation of a ruffian. From the time before his teens he was known for his love for combat: “I'm not exactly sure why but I loved the joy of fighting from as early as I can remember playing in the playground. I guess I loved the physicality and the challenge.” Since his elementary days Simon was a boy you could not entertain with education. Back when the WWE was still the WWF, Marcus exercised his fondness for wrestling by practicing moves on his peers, even when they were always not willing. As a wrestling aficionado it thrilled him more than academics. The respect he had for his idols ruled over the orders of his teachers: “As a young child I was very active and uninterested in school. From a young age I did not like to answer to authority and would very often find myself in the principal’s office for fighting or not listening to the teachers.” His confrontational ways led to frequent suspensions until he was finally discharged for fighting.


In seventh grade after his first expulsion he was forced to switch schools. But at his new schooling facility his habits were not resolved: “I remember getting into a fight the first day at the new school and suspended the second day and a few more times for the rest of that year.” He became a problematic student and caused ruckus when in the mood. It seemed that the only thing that cooled him was physical competition: “Although I was not focused in my school work and had poor grades I was always very interested in sports and excelled in track & field and cross country. This was a positive outlet for me and a way to use my energy for something constructive.” Though it helped to preoccupy his energy running had its limits. Simon on a track was like Tarzan outside his jungle, and time would reveal how ineffective it was in taming. In the tenth grade at the age of fifteen he was again expelled for fighting. It also marked his first flirtation with the law because with the expulsion came the charge of assault. But luck would intervene and spare him the repercussions. The litigation was later dropped and the incident only foreshadowed all the trouble that was to come.


But in retrospect, perhaps being banned from that school was a blessing from fate because at the new school he enrolled in he would meet his best friends. At the new schooling system he linked up with his future entourage, good buddies whom he still values today. When he was sixteen these guys were also responsible for his discovery of Muay Thai: “one of my best friends told me about a Thai Boxing gym up the street from the school we attended. So myself and twelve more of my friends from school decided to try it out. I fell in love with Muay Thai right away because I was finally learning the real art of fighting and building my body stronger than ever before.”


Getting a taste of Muay Thai was like a shark detecting blood. Marcus was aroused by the joy of it all. Like water to a fish the gym felt natural to Simon. Here was a sport where his talents could be applied, where his fighting spirit was encouraged and not punished like in school. It helped express his love for combat without compromising with the cops, without having to deal with the law. But though Muay Thai would become the field of his profession, when it was first served to him his stomach was full of distractions. His appetite was already busy with the hunger for another sport.


Around that time he was heavily involved in basketball and the star of the junior team. He favored the court over the ring since his skills for it were more developed. With Muay Thai he was still a novice and just learning to be a warrior. It was like asking him something rhetorical; majority playing time as a starter or become a bench player hoping for action? There was no questioning his preference. To allot more time for basketball his other passion would have to wait, and after about six weeks of attendance he stopped practicing Muay Thai. Siam No.1 gym and Ajahn Suchart were put on hold, and the blood the shark had tasted became lost in vast waters. It would take two more years to truly value the sport, to fully understand Muay Thai and appreciate its gift, for Marcus to find the direction to his destiny.


That moment came at a dark time in his life. A year later a seventeen year old Simon accounted more arrests, but this time he would not get a break. Due to violations of existing court conditions the usual bailout by one of his parents was an option removed. An order of confinement was issued which sent Simon to serve time.


Within the despairing walls of a cell at a prison for young offenders, Marcus thought deeply about his precarious future. He was at a fork in the road and quite conscious of his situation. He was in a do or die position; either mature from breaking laws or call his cell his future home. The reality was heartbreaking, but the dire circumstance he faced was nothing new to other inmates. Jail can make or break you if there is failure to reform, and for some, rather rising from the hole they stumble deeper into a bleaker ditch, and Marcus did not want that future to be his. As he searched his soul for solutions it was Muay Thai that spoke the most: “I had a lot of time to reflect on my life and made the decision that I wanted to be something better than yet another black youth in jail. I was not sure what I wanted to do with my life but one thing I knew was that I wanted to continue my Muay Thai training and was thrilled about the possibility of becoming a real fighter.” For someone born with a love for fighting, why not make it official and be a fighter for real? And so it was decided that Muay Thai would be his niche. It would also become his road to redemption, redeeming his failures with the law with his winnings in the ring.


Meanwhile, as Simon received his epiphany there was another gift to come. As he pleaded with luck for a second chance the gears of fortune were turning. Opportunity was working to extend him another deal, one that would restore his prior life of freedom. Eventually his court cases were resolved and freed him from detainment, and after serving a three month residency a new Simon would emerge. Following his release from the prison he relocated with his father. Moving outside the city in the outskirt of Toronto, Simon returned to school and made it to graduation. Aside from formal schooling he also pursued another study. Keeping his honor in the promise he made in prison, Marcus also continued his education of Muay Thai.


At the Siam No.1 gym he reestablished old connections, but his time there would be no distractions. Muay Thai would have authority in his life under the direction of his master: “Ajahn Suchart my trainer and mentor was somebody I respected a great deal and for the first time in my life I had no problem following orders from a real Muay Thai master.” Because of his new address the commute to his master was long. The bus ride each way was worth two hours but to him it did not matter. This was one of the sacrifices Marcus was willing to make, because at that point he was a student committed to the Art of Eight Limbs.


By age eighteen he was challenging himself to a transform, striving to grow from thug to fighter while keeping his aggression in the change: “I trained as hard as I could and attended the gym as much as possible and six months after that I had my first Muay Thai bout.” Though the fight was ruled a draw, after that first experience in the ring the rest was history. Tarzan returned to his jungle and the sea had fresh blood for the shark. He became commonplace in the gym like heavy bags and gloves. Marcus was focused with fusing techniques to his body, drilling them into bone with the marrow that makes his blood. So it would be part of his essence. Like a scientist in a lab he worked to merge himself with the sport, as if modifying genetics by grafting the atoms of Muay Thai. It seemed to work. The Muay Thai molecules bonded to his DNA and the process became a like positive mutation: “Since I've dedicated my life to become a martial artist it has changed my mind, body and life as a whole for the better.”


For helping establish his powers and tuning his talents, Ajahn Suchart became to Marcus what Professor X was to his X-Men: “In Muay Thai I look up to my trainer as a source of inspiration because he is a Master in the Art of Muay Thai. Even at his age of 52 he is still the strongest person I have observed in my life and continues to train and live the life of a true martial artist. For me he is the personification of a Master in the art of Muay Thai.” With rock-hard guidance from his Muay Thai master, Suchart served as a sharpening stone, helping Simon cut through the competition like they were beef for the butcher’s blade. Like Samurai steel he sliced through opponents, with some being the thickest tests a fresh fighter could encounter. He defeated some sharp opponents like Belgium’s Filip Verlinden (WKA World and European Champion and current MPL fighter), Cambodian Legend Eh Phutong, Japanese notable Ryuta Noji, and Russia’s Artem Vahitov, also a European and World Champ.


But to Marcus, despite defeating distinguished names, most fighters on the menu don’t appeal to his taste. Being true to his complex of an apex predator, he seeks to only challenge the best in the game, and for now the head he hungers for belongs to Artem Levin, the current crown block of his division’s pyramid: “I respect him as a fighter and know he is revered as the best in the world in my weight class. So to be the best I must beat the best.” But to acquire more leverage in securing that contest, he must first increase his power of negotiation, and to gain that influence means besting none other than Joe Schilling, the interim WBC Muay Thai Light Heavyweight World Champion.


Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5" is set for February 25th in Las Vegas and quickly becoming the hot event. Causing all the heat are warriors known for their vicious displays of violence: knock-out phenoms Simon Marcus and his next test in his quest to the top, Joe “Stitch’Em Up” Schilling. Through the Muay Thai community and among its fanatics the topic percolates with pleasure. In fight forums on the internet, the comments and remarks between fans of each fighter play out like a digital war. In the Muay Thai universe these two roam around like giant comets and asteroids. They are forces proven to be destructive demonstrated by plenty of colossal knockouts. But now the hands of destiny have driven their courses to collide, and when the path of a comet crosses the orbit of an asteroid the impact is always spectacular. So what does Marcus have to say about Battle in the Desert 5? What does he think is the reason behind the excitement of the main event? “Plain and simple, I will be the best, most well-rounded fighter Joe has ever fought. Also the fact that we both have high rates of KO`s and winning records build the atmosphere for an exciting match. Not to mention Joe has a big mouth and most of his opponents in the past have probably been intimidated by him. However I'm sure most people can tell that I am not one to be intimated.”


It would seem that with a statement like this, not only does Marcus know the art of combat but he is well-versed in verbal warfare as well. But as Simon suggests, the trash-talking is not to add hype but to speak his version of the truth. From his side of the fray, Simon says the fire he has spat is real and nothing faked: “Anything I said in regards to Joe I meant. I would not say I look down on him as a Muay Thai artist, however, for all the mouth Joe has in recent and past interviews I would say he needs to humble himself because the only world level opponent he has fought is Kaoklai. Or I guess I will need to humble him.” It’s unclear who instigated the criticizing between the sides, but at the heart of his debate Marcus is convinced that he is the more complete Nak Muay of the two: “I won’t get into specifics about Joe’s incompleteness. Nevertheless any person who knows and understands the Art of Muay Thai will understand my statement once they have watched Joe’s fights…But technically he is not as skilled or experienced as many top fighters with 100 plus fights I have fought from Europe.”


But if talk is dissected from the facts and we cut aside the taunts between them, after removing the ridicules that fuel the fan frenzy what is left for us to study is a showdown worth the interest. At the core of what gives this bout its clout of intrigue is the difference in style each fighter will bring. In military perspective, Schilling’s aggressive approach employs the Shock & Awe method. He leads with his ferocity bombarding with everything he's got. Contrasting that type of conduct is Simon’s smoother style of striking. How he behaves is more composed relying on timing and technique. Marcus is the strategic sniper and does more stalking between the two, and Schilling is heavy duty like the demo-man in the crew. But both the systems of their styles are still so lethal in the field, which is what is generating all the massive fan appeal. This will be a classic match up of style versus style, and essentially, it is a question of artillery accessory; which weapon will prove superior in winning their war: Simon’s sniper bullets or Joe’s demolition bombs?


But for all the things that give them distinction, what binds them in common is their valor in the ring. With reservations only for the glory of their cause they both have the heart of gung-ho Marines, fearing no man and no battle. Both are recognized by their nonchalance, wearing the faces of cool against the most dangerous of foes. And considering the caliber of confidence in their character, the victor of this fight will have earned a true badge of bravery. And if Muay Thai had its own Navy Seal, then that victor would be candidate for its Team Six Division.


But as to why he prefers his style over Joe’s, Marcus gives some clarity: “Muay Thai is an art and to rush into your opponent right off the bat can be dangerous.” To him it’s about strategy and his plan is to adapt. He feels out his fighters with a poker player’s eyes, reading his adversaries first before getting serious with his hands. His game is adjusted around the style of the fighter, because like in poker a player could be a bluffer or the kind who plays it straight, and how to win the game will depends on personality.


Though the action of their match won’t compare to that of cards, like in a poker competition these fighters had just up the ante. While their fight is not-title the matter of money can still be flexed, and recently that subject had been stretched. Raising the stakes to make the pot a lot bigger, Simon wagered his whole purse to entice Joe to bet the same. The gambit worked out and now the game is more interesting. With all purses all in, it is now a Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is bout. It will be like a poker match being fought in the physical, and after everything plays out at their Vegas venue the truth will be told.


February 25th will be a day of sincerity. There will be no excuses and no lies. The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel will be the perfect setting. Like some who visit Vegas they either go home two ways: a winner with all the cash or a loser who needs a loan. For two top ranking men still in the prime of their careers, this fight will speak the truth to the people. If Stitch’Em Up is victorious then it would kill the criticism; he is not over-rated and incomplete as Simon claims. And if Bad Bwoy gets his way then his calculations will prove correct, that indeed he is superior and deserve higher respect.


In a world plagued by propaganda and deceit, this fight will testify that truth still exists. This is what competition was designed for. It will settle the conflict of who is the badder man. The true prize in rivalry is the honesty it reveals, and for Marcus it is the reason for his love of the sport: “Muay Thai for me is the most honest way to express myself. Training hard for a fight and then facing another trained and skilled athlete pushes your mind and body to a whole other level. Then when you step into the ring regardless of what you or your opponent may say or do leading up to the fight the truth is always revealed.” With this admission he is clear with his position. He is like a fighting prophet, one who speaks the truth through the language of martial arts, battling through life to deliver one message, that he is a legend in the making. This is the prophecy that he fights to fulfill.


Simon winning this fight will add to his greatness. It will vouch for his relevance, speak the truth of his excellence, and prove that he is the badder of the two. This fight is a definitive point in his pursuit to make history. It will bring him closer to reaching his dream, of being remembered, of making his name stand out from a population of billions. For winning these types of fights is the essence of being a legend.




Simon Marcus would like to make the following shout-outs: I would like to thank the most high for all the blessings in my life and the victory over Schilling. My family for all their support especially my mom and dad. My trainer Ajahn Suchart for all his time and energy he has invested in me. And I would like to shout out my city T-Dot (Toronto), the whole of Canada and the Muay Thai community. I would also like to shout out all my closest friends who believed in me from the start—you know who you are—all the Kru's and training partners that have helped me along the way. And Big Up to all my fans and supporters. Kru Miami for always having my back and best interests at heart. Also Big up's to my brothers Matt Embree and Ugli Sor Siam. Ester and the one Zion. Also a big thanks to Muay Thai Authority for giving me more exposure and growing the sport of Muay Thai. Big thanks to Lion Fight Promotions and the Muay Thai Premier league for featuring me in their shows. Sorry if I forgot anyone.

http://www.gfl.tv/



http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/MuayThai/Battle_in_the_Desert_5__Schilling_vs_Marcus/1388


Fight fans around the world can tune into the entire 12 bout fight card (7 professional main card bouts and 4 amateur, preliminary card bouts), including the highly-anticipated, winner-take-all light heavyweight (175 pounds) main event between WBC champion Joe Schilling (12-1, 10 KO's) and undefeated rival Simon Marcus (22-0, 17 KO's)

In other Lion Fight Promotions: Battle In The Desert 5, Live from The Joint main card action, streaking Las Vegas star and WBC International Middleweight Champion Chaz Mulkey (7-4, 3 KO's), fresh off his fifth consecutive win at Lion Fight Promotions' last event on Nov. 19, will face his toughest test to date in two-time world champion and WBC No. 5 ranked super middleweight (168 pounds) contender Gregory Choplin (59-9, 22 KO's) of Miami, Fla. by way of Paris, France in the middleweight (160 pounds) co-main event and non-title bout.

Phanuwat "Coke" Chunhawat (146-24-1, 24 KO's) of Oakland, Calif. via Thailand will return to the squared circle an attempt to avenge a June 2011 defeat when he battles 21-year-old young gun Matt Embree (19-3, 9 KO's) of Toronto, Ontario, Canada with the vacant WBC international lightweight (135 pounds) championship at stake.

The matchup between Chunhawat and Embree will serve as a rubber match. In Sept. 2010, Chunhawat edged out a split decision over Embree, who returned the favor by winning in the same fashion in the second meeting.

Jose Palacios (5-2, 3 KO's) of San Jose, Calif. will meet Shane Oblonsky (6-2, 3 KO's) of Santa Ana, Calif. in a welterweight (147 pounds) matchup. Vivian Leung (2-0, 1 KO) of Las Vegas via Saskatoon, Canada will face Tiffany Van Soest (1-0) of San Diego, Calif. in a super bantamweight (122 pounds) bout.

Power striker Scotty Leffler (4-2, 3 KO's) of Las Vegas will meet Sheldon Gaines (2-4, 1 KO) of Los Angeles, Calif. in a 142 pound catch weight fight and 21-year-old top prospect Anthony Castrejon (2-0, 1 KO) of Las Vegas will make the third start of his promising young career in a super bantamweight (122 pounds) fight with 28-year-old Francisco Barragan of Dallas, TX.

http://www.muaythaiauthority.com/2012/02/pros-pick-joe-schilling-vs-simon-marcus.html

With all the buzz around the Joe Schilling vs. Simon Marcus fight that will be taking place this weekend at Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 5” in Las Vegas, we decided to ask the pros what they think. We asked 24 North American fighters/trainers to give us their thoughts on the upcoming fight and give us their prediction. Schilling is the favorite amongst the pros, an not many are picking this fight to go the distance.



For those that are unaware, the bout has officially been made a winner take all. Some trash talk on-line led to both fighters putting up their purses. The winner taking home a nice check with the loser going home with only one dollar. Enjoy the pros picks.


Kirian Fitzgibbons:
OK. As one of the only people here in the States to actually see Simon fight 1st hand multiple times (I've seen him fight in the 2008 World Championships, 2009 Kings Cup, 2010 Sport Accord, 2011 MPL, etc). I can say he is a fantastic Champion and a credit to the high level of Muaythai in Canada and when he wears his chain he looks like Quinton Jackson at least that's what he tells the chicks in Thailand ;). If he were fighting someone other then Joe Schilling, I would be rooting for him, but (outside of being a friend) Joe is a scary dude and having seen Simon lose fights to "pressure" fighters...nobody puts more "pressure" then Joe Schilling. Simon excels at a "Thai Style Fight and Thai Style Pace"...but that's not what he's walking into on the 25th, on the 25th he's walking into a Dark Alley with a VERY BAD MAN and I don't think he's coming out. Prediction: Joe Schilling via "Face Punching and Elbow Raping"!

Kevin Ross:
Honestly the fans are the ones who are going to win regardless of the outcome. No matter what it will be exciting. I feel if Joe can jump on him right away and keep the pressure on, as he always does, then things will go his way but Simon is a very technical/crafty/experienced fighter who knows how to play the game so it's just a matter of who can impose their game plan. You're not going to want to miss this one!

Ken Tran:
I think Joe Schilling will win because of his relentless style. I don't think Simon has had to deal with such an aggressive style before never mind from a guy that has a chip on his shoulder and really wants to put you out.

Luis Bio:
This will be a very interesting fight to watch! Both fighters are big and pack a lot of power. I’ve only seen Simon fight once, this was on the MPL show; he is a slow starter with traditional Thai style and very clean technique but I feel Schilling's aggressiveness and pace will bring him a lot of trouble. I have Joe winning by TKO on the 2nd round.

Kru Paul Minhas:
It's difficult to predict this one as Simon is very technical & powerful and is trained by one of the best Muay Thai Trainers Suchart Yodkerepauprai and Joe Schilling is also very skilled and also from an amazing Camp. I prefer Simon's style personally and feel he will come out on top. Shilling may also catch Simon with a punch but I think if it goes in the later rounds Simon and the early rounds Schilling.

Cyrus Washington:
I think Joe Schilling has a very big advantage besides his obvious height and size advantage but he's always in good shape and very aggressive. There is a such thing as too aggressive and if Simon can find an opening during Joe's attacking then that’s a way to exploit his aggressive style but I pick Joe even though it's more or close to 50/50.

Chris Kwiatkowski:
I have not seen Joe Shilling fight, but from what I read, he uses his height (reach) & cracks pretty hard. I have had the opportunity to see Simon fight numerous times, & his technique is very good & he has great athleticism. I think the fight is going to be a close fight, with it going the distance. I think that Simon avoids the KO & takes the decision with his athleticism & technique.

Jose Palacios:
Well Marcus is a physical strong, good technique and has power, but I'm not sure if he has fought someone like Schilling. This guy is fast, furious, hits with his soul it seems like and he also has size. Styles make fights. I think this is going to be a fun fight to watch, both very confident, but I gotta go for Schilling. I think he has the edge with size, speed and aggression.

Chaz Mulkey:
Come on man, Joe all the way! I think Joe's gonna overwhelm him in the beginning and if Marcus can go the distance I still think Joe will have the upper hand but I wont say how or why, I dont wanna give away any game plans.

David Huey:
My previous career for 30 years was in the media business. I shot more than 1000 commercials which included promos for HBO with Mike Tyson, Ray Leonard and Roger Mayweather. Every spot we did, we always looked for an angle. Now we have Joe Schilling and Simon Marcus, two of the best in North America if not the World. Commentating for fights during the past four years, I too look for an angle, a story, a personality for the sport. Joe and Simon have given the sport of Muay Thai a face and personality. Some people call it Trash Talk, but I call it confidence. Coupled with the fact these fighters are at the top of their game and still climbing, there is no excuse of “oh well, he didn’t train”, nor “oh he’s no longer in his prime”, “he’s injured from two weeks ago”, blah, blah, blah. This is why I think this fight is the most important fight that will change Muay Thai in the public eye. Because they are charismatic and outspoken, this fight will help crossover to new fans that are not practicing Muay Thai. “Mike the Mailman” and “Pete the Plumber” who don’t practice Muay Thai but have been watching UFC will gravitate to a persona and will pick a side. Because I am American and because I have traveled around the world working fights, I have been disrespected by foreign fighters, and because I know Joe, I want Joe to win, to put America higher on the Muay Thai map. But I can easily see the fight going as such: Joe throwing power shots to kill for the first two rounds. Third round TOTAL WAR. Rounds Four and five smartly fought by Simon. And because I don’t have 100% confidence in the judging by a Boxing town, I can see this being scored as a draw… and the rematch will be OFF THE ROOF and Muay Thai in America will EXPLODE. I say this because I know there are many “financial eyes” looking at the sport of Muay Thai in Vegas. If there is a for sure winner, it will be the fans that see this live.

Kru Ray Cole:
It’s hard for me to say really. I've only seen Joe fight 2 times and I've never seen Simon Marcus fight. All I know for sure is, with a winner take all contract with both undefeated, will definitely be an exciting fight. It's a coin toss.

Bryce Krause:
Prior to the announcement I hadn’t heard of Simon Marcus other than his MPL fight. . Now after learning about him it appears to me there is gonna be an exciting fight taking place on the 25th. Can’t wait to watch it! Let’s go Joe!

Artem Sharoshkin:
Going with Joe first round KO. I was not impressed with Simon’s performance against Artem. I had a chance to fight on a few fight cards with Joe and all I can say is that he is one mean dude on top of that over the last year or so his technique has gotten only better which makes him a very dangerous opponent!

Nate Smandych:
I have to give the nod to my boy Simon Marcus!! His tenacity and hunger to win will get him just that!! Represent Canada proud like you always do! Chok dee Nasty Nate.

Scotty Leffler:
Joe Schilling for sure! Cause he is so damn MEAN!

Michael Corley:
Joe TKO 2 Joes hungry and always brings it. It may be a toss up if it gets out of the second round, but I dont see that happening. Respect to both guys for putting up the purses.

Rudi Ott:
I think this a great fight! Great contrast in styles! I think it's a great test for both men. Simon is more technical with more experience but I Joe's confidence and determination will be the difference. I'll take Schilling for the win!

Matt Embree:
I think Simon is going to win. Simon is going to be too skilled for Joe. He has a lot more experience and has fought some of the best fighters in the world, fought against bigger, stronger, more experienced guys and always came out on top. He’s been in deep waters before, and he will grind his way to victory by any means. Simon by ko/tko.

Ognjen Topic:
This is a very tough fight to call. Both fighters are very determined to win especially with their purses on the line. That being said, anything can happen. I haven't seen too many fights from either fighter but I know Joe starts out fast and Simon starts slow. I think Joe has a chance to win early while Simon has a chance of winning in the later part of the fight. I'm just excited to see a good mach and I do think this fight will end in a KO/TKO.

Josh Palmer:
I think they are both strong fighters, but Simon has much more experience and it shows the way moves and fights, hard and calculated. Joe is not that experienced in my opinion, but he has gotten a lot out of the fights he does have because he is aggressive and wild. But I think he is wild because of his lack of experience. Simon should put him away, but because Joe is unorthodox and wild, he may just catch Simon. It’s an interesting meeting, but I think Simon is the more complete and experienced fighter and will take the win.

Joseph Valtellini:
This is a great match up and a difficult one to call. But I'm gonna have to say Simon Marcus. From what I know about Joe, he is going to come out hard and fast, but I think that Simon will be able to use his experience to defend against it and take a decision victory.

Brandon Banda:
I don't no a much about Simon Marcus, but I know a lot about Joe Schilling. I think Joe will win. He is very tough, game, and skilled fighter. He is just too big. His height and long arm's make it tough. I think its going to be a good fight. Wish I could be there. I see Joe winning by KO. Good luck Joe.

Joe Davidson:

In this fight I think Joe Schilling is gonna frustrate Simon with speed and angles. Simon is gonna be most dangerous in the first 2 rounds but as frustration sets in Joe will begin to pull away. As Simon begins to load up and telegraph Joe will be able to control the distance and pick his shots. I Pick Joe Schilling, 4th round TKO via elbow or knee. I also feel that Simon has added extra pressure to himself with the winner take all request. My 2 cents. Thank you.

Mark Beecher:
Joe Schilling will win early .... Simon Marcus starts too slow and is too slow ... if he can weather the storm he can make it into a fight, but i dont think a lot of people can weather Joe's storm.


Pros Picking Joe Schilling: 14
Pros Picking Simon Marcus: 5
Pros Picking A Draw: 1
No Picks: 4


http://www.muaythaiauthority.com/2012/02/pros-pick-joe-schilling-vs-simon-marcus.html

Simon Marcus to win on points!

joe dont win in 1 or 2 simon allday in 3 4&5

Simon wins tko rd 1 whats Joe got to say about that :P

Main Event
Light Heavyweight (175 pounds) / Non-Title Bout
Joe Schilling (Los Angeles, CA) (Champion) vs. Simon Marcus (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Note: LOTS of trash talking in the pre-fight video interviews that they showed before these two came out. According to Schilling, everything about Marcus’ game “sucks”. The entire purse (save $1) goes to the winner. This should be a war.

Round 1 – Here we go. The crowd is electric, HEAVILY in Schilling’s favor. They trade leg kicks. Both seem to be swinging for the KO early. Hard kick to the body by Marcus. Straight right by Schilling gets through the guard. Marcus appears to have a mouse under his left eye. Marcus is able to trip Schilling to the ground from the clinch. He connects with a HUGE left hook and Schilling is down! He’s back up before the 10 count, but he looks out of sorts. He’s immediately dropped again by a front kick to the face followed by a hard right elbow to the jaw, and this time the ref waves it off during the standing 10 count.

Official Decision: Simon Marcus def. Joe Schilling by TKO at 2:50 of round 1

http://prommanow.com/index.php/2012/02/25/lion-fight-battle-in-the-desert-5-live-results-and-play-by-play/

Ben Segall
Simon Marcus didn't knock out Joe Schilling. Joe hit his head on the canvas when he and Simon fell. It was a freak accident.

REMATCH! LET'S GET THE REAL FIGHT!!

Well done Marcus. he is a realy talent such a pleasure to watch pure class!!!

If Schilling hadn't lost control in the clinch when it was bim sho had Simon locked by the body then he would never have banged his head on the canvas so that can't be used as an excuse!
KO end of

can i get a fight now with one of them @ lionfight promotions? for a title?

despite the weird circumstance i still feel simon is a better fighter and congrats to him. unlucky for joe.

here's the fight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZX_0KlEaa0&feature=player_embedded

Gutted for Schilling head hit the canvas couldn't defend after that.
Don't think Marcus showed he was a better fighter even tho I wanted
Him to win. Rematch definately should be had, IMO.

here's a slightly more proportioned version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-oW9kNrJlA

thnx haybro.

Worst ref ever Joe was hurt badly

yup! Ref is there to protect the fighters! Aweful ref!

i was ther and joe hit his head then
Simon landed on his head with a elbow wen they hit the floor but thats fighting you got to be ready for everything

lil brake down sum one did on face book

I must have watched a different fight - as Simon clearly showed he was the better fighter, that was a perfectly legal, take down from the clinch......or am i wrong??? Schilling just came piling forward like a brawler, and Marcus stayed calm controlled and focussed, dumped him down, granted, the ref should maybe have given him an 8 count, but he jumped up and turned and faced to fight, then he was finished fair and square.
only thing awful about that was the commentary......."He hit his head on the canvas" "He hit His head onthe canvas" "He hit his head on the canvas" - yea we know we saw it you tit, didn't really seem to know what they were on about to be honest.

All in all I'd say thats Karma, he said he'd finish Si in the first round, and it went the other way - pretty clean cut end to the fight - I don't see a need for a rematch, as Marcus was clearly the better more technical scoring fighter anyway, even from just one round.

More to the point is the childish behaviour after the fight was stopped, pushing the ref etc - He lost fair and square - carrying on like a spoilt schoolkid ain't gonna change the fact that he got knocked the f#@k out........I don't know him or have anything against him but he kind of brought it all on himself.
What fight was that? - his 12th, 13th or 15th fight??? - should concentrate on learning to improve his style ( strong and fearless)with good Muay thai techniques properly, and correctly - oh and try being a little more humble - but then I suppose the paying public in the US love the showmanship more than the actual art of fighting itself.

Anyway Simon great win, took the jeering from the crowd in a decent way and got on with the Job.

Joe, unlucky, it's the way the sport goes, hope it makes you a better fighter and person, and you go on to more wins and success.

life goes on!!

i was in the front row wer they fell legal, take down??????

Hmmmmmm - a 50/50 maybe then, a rematch would settle it and make for a terrific headline bout on any show.
But like I say a 50/50, there wouldn't be any arguments about this in Thailand - Marcus would have won fair and square I think.

Marcus looked to be much the better Muay Thai fighter,he looked controlled and composed and was taking his time,we will never know but I would guess that it was only a matter of time before he started landing cleanly on Joe and Barring a lucky punch got the win anyway.

As you guys said the reff was crap.

Illegal if you use the sole of yer foot which makes it a sweep. This looks legit as far as I know...I hope so as I have used before. :)

cant use heel either......

Does anybody know what the results of the other fights on this show?

there's a play by play desrciption and results on the link i posted above m8

http://prommanow.com/index.php/2012/02/25/lion-fight-battle-in-the-desert-5-live-results-and-play-by-play/

Thanks mate.

The video now seems to have been removed or marked as private by the person who uploaded. The photos are an interesting debating point but can't be used to determine what the referee should have called on the night. The referee has to make an instant decision without the benefit of slow motion footage. However, even if it was a foul and the boxers got up and carried on, all the referee should have done was signal to the boxer who fouled not to trip again - at most inform that boxer that a point may deducted for similar infringements in the rest of the bout. As such, it would not influence the decision of who won the fight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elx5PqYCab8

My only question is, is that a leagal take down in muay Thai?
Back of the heal?

my understanding is it's illegal but a fighter has to be fit to continue, i'm sure i've read that a fighter can get booted in the balls and lose if he cant fight on, now that's an obvious foul imo yet the rules are different from western boxing that would class the fight as a no contest

Tony sensible, accurate reply as always - thats cleared up one point,
The other point Biginbham - is that IT WAS NOT THE HEAL!!!! I will post a pic from facebook which shows clearly that Simon stepped past Joes standing foot, in which case it must have been an off balancing technique over his leg/knee - therefore 100% legal and Joe lost fair and square.

Anyway I believe there is a rematch going to happen - but I don't think it is needed, and defo not straight away.

Billybigconkers, the boot in the balls rule is only if it is deemed deliberate mate, then the fighter gets a rest period, same as a knee to the groin - but an accidental kick to the groin is not deemed a foul and if the fighter who recieves it cannot fight on, he will lose.

Now I'll dig out that photo haha - where have all the US peeps gone?- are they bored of this now? - or is it going on anotherr forum??

In fact you can see clearly in the step by step photo's above, if you at least have one good eye, and you computer screen isn't covered in jizz ;-) haha

Brandon Banda:
I don't no a much about Simon Marcus, but I know a lot about Joe Schilling. I think Joe will win. He is very tough, game, and skilled fighter. He is just too big. His height and long arm's make it tough. I think its going to be a good fight. Wish I could be there. I see Joe winning by KO. Good luck Joe.

thats the stupidest person in the room in my opinion. Doesnt know about Simon Marcus so how can he make the call? Its like saying a hamtetr will beat an elephant if youve never seen an elephant

Lol@ thrash I heard ya voice in my head then when I read the jizz comment priceless x

hamtetr = hamster

hawk man - so you saying a hamster wouuldnt beat the elephant??- I've not seen either, but a very vicious gerbil once - I'll put a grand on the hamster lol ;-) good point though!!

And here is the picture I was referring to - clearly NOT a heal hook or anything else illegal.

Yup..Nice pic and post thrasher. Clear as day. When do us Canadians get to see you fight over here ? :)

ITS OVER THE KNEE from what i can see? i do not see how marcus can make the weight with that much muscle. beast

LoL at all this debate generated by sore loser Americans. I wish that fight had happened in Thailand against a Thai, so all the gamblers could laugh at Schilling's face when he tries to protest the result.

There's nothing wrong with that throw. If it's legit in Thailand that's good enough for me, and, that throw, is definitely legit in Thailand.

You also see several dubious knee drops and elbow drops in Thai throws. Protect yourself at all times is the message here. Surely a pro would have learned that by now? All this fuss just makes him look like an egotistical whiner, dick, and idiot.

No rematch required.

Thanks Artfuldodger - hope it's finally cleared up now and everyone can move on.
And I'm ready to fight anytime - just as soon as I get an invite lol - hint hint all Canadian/U.S promoters haha

Hawkman - it's makes you sick doesn't it lol - he's a bloody machine.

And Tom, you can't tar everyone with the same brush, I know there were plenty of Americans that agreed with what we've been saying, and I'm an optimist, I like to think that Joe was just so hungry for the win and had trained so hard, and lost his purse that his emotions got the better of him, I don't know what was said by him and his team after the fight, so I cannot comment - but I hope he moves on to the next one, and learnss from it, if even just to be a little more humble - you cant take away the fact, that even after he was dropped three times, he got up and wanted to carry on fighting - he has my respect anyway - a lot of people would have sat down and been counted out - he was on his feet till the end so fair play to the lad.

I don't know. Can't help but feel like there is some karma when someone talks so much hype pre fight and then gets served in round 1. If there is a 'no contest' complaint being lodged, surely it's coming from the fighter himself, or he would have at least have approved for his management to proceed with it.

There's a difference between respectful hunger and egotistical overconfidence. Based on what I've read and seen, Simon fits the former and Joe the latter.

haha I was trying to be diplomatic Tom - but that is a very fair and valid point........I should have been a politician ;-) lol

Marcus vs Levin: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/282742/schilling-tko-sets-up-marcus-showdown-with-levin

Pretty big step up for Marcus. Should be a good fight.