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Results
from The Kickboxing Explosion
June
14, 2003 at the Greensboro Coliseum
Congratulations
to our winners:
Stephen
"Wonderboy" Thompson
John
"The Hammer" Ganner
Well the "Wonderboy"
and the "Hammer" did it again this weekend in Greensboro, N.C.
The event was a combination boxing/kickboxing show at the Greensboro
Coliseum. There were over 20 boxing matches and 12 kickboxing matches. It
was definitely a LOOOOOONG night. The promoter Cheryl Nance put on one
heck of a fight card and a pretty good show. Also to her credit the show
started ON TIME which is pretty much unheard of in most martial arts
events.
Our first fighter to step in the ring was John "The
Hammer" Ganner. He’s called The Hammer because what he lacks in
technique and stamina he makes up for in sheer power in his punches and
kicks. John started off as usual, taking about a zillion head shots (you
know just to tire his opponent a little) and to test the waters. This
method of starting off is NOT my recommended method but it seems to work
for John. I am hoping he plans to change this method real soon, it makes
me real nervous!!
Anyway back to the fight. John and his opponent, Mike Collins, who has a
similar style as John, started off just BANGIN on each other. Head shots,
body shots you name it. It was crazy, blocking and slipping went right the
window with these two. The fight was pretty much even for the first
round with maybe an ever so slight edge going to Collins. The second round
changed after a nice little pow wow with John in the corner. Don’t
ask, it’s between me and John. The Hammer came out doing what he does
best, SLAMMIN, and slammin he did. He caught Collins with a good hook to
the head that sent the taller fighter to the canvas where the referee and
former world champion, Dale "Sunshine" Frye stepped in to give
Collins a ten count. During the count the bell rang for the end of the
round. Collins is saved by the bell. Round three started just like one and
two with both fighters trying to tear each others head off. Kicks and
punches were flying AND finding their mark. Then John dropped the Hammer
on Collins for the final time where the referee again stepped in to
protect Collins and give him another count. This time Collins decided not
to continue and the ref called the fight in the third round giving
John his third win by ko/tko. John will fight in Valdosta, Ga. this
weekend at the IKF Regional Championships. If John wins he will qualify to
fight at the IKF Nationals in August.
The next fight was the co-main event between the "Wonderboy"
and hometown favorite Jay Bell. This was a fight that pitted a cagey
veteran against a young lion and the one the crowd really wanted to see.
Before the fight actually started there was a little friendly chanting
competition between the UK crew which was headed up by the
"Real" mouth of the south, Scott Slagle and the hometown crowd
for Bell. I think the Bell crowd might have been a little louder but that
was the only competition they‘d win that night. The fight started
with Bell stalking Stephen, trying to intimidate him. Stephen kept his
cool, he has been there before, and didn’t let Bell play his game. Then
the "Wonderboy" unloaded one of his patented roundhouse kicks
knowing that Bell would step in to block it. What Bell didn’t know was
how much it would hurt his arms when he did block the kick. Bell’s
expression changed immediately. You could see the fear or maybe it was
respect for the "Wonderboy" in Bell’s face from then on thru
the rest of the fight. To Bell’s credit he came to fight no matter the
odds. Round one was a lop sided victory for the "Wonderboy" with
Bell having to take a standing ten count in the round. Round two was
much of the same with Bell trying to put a plan together against the
"Wonderboy" with Stephen taking it away. Then it happened,
Stephen put THE combination together, shuffle jab-head punch-roundhouse,
with the roundhouse connecting square on the jaw of Bell and sending him
hard to the canvas. Again to Bell’s credit he hung on and weathered the
storm and was able to finish round two. Round three was pretty much a
holding match for Bell. His desire to fight was gone and it was evident
his sole plan was to survive and not get knocked out. I will have to say
that was the only plan that worked for Bell that night. Chalk up
victory #28 for the Wonderboy. His next fight(s) will be in Las Vegas,
Nevada next month. You need to make plans to come out with us. We could
sure use your support. I would like to thank all the UK fans that
came all the way to Greensboro (3 hours one way) to give support to our
fighters. We thank you VERY much.
Ray
Thompson
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