STRIKE-4-2004

NY/NJ Rivalries Boil Over in Recent “Elimination” Thai Boxing Bouts

By: Craig McGuire

BROOKLYN, NY — April 30, 2004 — The latest round of sanctioned Muay Thai Boxing elimination fights held recently in Brooklyn erupted into heated rivalries as fighters vie for coveted rankings for upcoming Regional and National championships.

Recording its fourth consecutive sell-out this year, Strike Zone, the U.S. National Muay Thai (“Thai Boxing”) and Boxing Sports Club, hosted the latest round of elimination bouts on Saturday, April 17, 2004, producing combatants that will represent the NY/NJ region in Regional, and National competitions later this year.
“STRIKE 4 USMTA Amateur Muay Thai State Eliminations & Championships—Interstate Series—New York & New Jersey” was promoted by Strike Productions.

Strike has emerged as the leading Muay Thai promotional company in the region, as the one of few promoters in the Tri-State New York area (a region including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut) permitted to hold bouts sanctioned by the U.S. Muay Thai Association (USMTA), the country’s largest and most respected Muay Thai governing body. When matched against fighters from New Jersey gyms, boxers from New York area gyms asserted their dominance by winning all bouts and only had one draw.

In the Junior Needle weight division, Mathew Fishteyn (62 Lb. / 8 yrs. Old) from Borodin’s Gym fought valiantly and aggressively, and that skill overcame the budding skills of Maisonet’s own Louis Ortis (60 Lb. / 7 yrs. Old) that just had his second fight and evened out his record to 1 win and 1 loss, while Mathew Fishteyn improves his record to 6 and 0.

1st Bout ......................

And, in what was one of the more exciting bouts of the evening, judging by the reaction of the fans in attendance, female Junior Welterweight fighters Marisol Martinez (140 Lb. / 15 yrs.) from IM Sports Jak Jai Muay Thai, and Nicole Mckoy (135 Lb. / 15 yrs.) from Maisonet’s Muay Thai Camp of Brooklyn fought a beautiful and exciting bout it was a very close fight that kept the crowd on their feet and screaming all throughout the fight. The fight’s got a some what lengthy decision contemplating by the judges due to the closeness of the fight and the judges’ decision was to give both fighters a draw.

2nd Bout ..................................

In a Welterweight contest, Tiger International’s Ilya Epelman (148 Lb. / 13 yrs.) out classed his opponent Michael Fidelman (140 Lb. / 14 yrs.) from Borodin’s Gym with heavy punches and attacks and at the end Fidelman’s corner has stopped the bout on the second round to stop the punishment that he was getting in the ring.

3rd Bout ..................................

In a Featherweight boxing exhibition, both Jose Nouvez (128 Lb. / 18 yrs.) from Kid Kelly Gym and Malik Lewter (125 Lbs / 15 yrs.) from Maisonet’s demonstrated considerable pugilistic prowess in speed and technique.

4th Bout ..................................

And, in the evening’s other Middleweight division competition, Billy Zhao (155 Lb. / 26 yrs. Old), fighting out of IM Sports Jak Jai Muay Thai of New Jersey, lost to also a newcomer and flamboyant Louis Ramos (155 Lb. / 24 yrs.), from Ultimate Gym.

	5th Bout ..................................

In a Super Middleweight bout, Borodin’s Ken Ito (165 Lb. / 27 yrs.) had his corner stop the punishment being inflicted by Adam Silversteine (160 Lb. / 28 yrs. Old) fighting out of Ultimate Gym. The match marked the first time both fighters participate in sanctioned competition. Adam Silversteine moves his record up to 1 win and 0 losses.
	6th Bout ..................................

With a large, chanting crowd at his back for his Light Heavyweight match-up Gus "The Greek Freak" Indjeyiannis (175 Lb. / 26 yrs.), from Sitan Gym, knocked out first-time fighter Amerson Gil Creak (168 Lb. / 24 yrs.), from Ultimate Gym. Indjeyiannis extends his unbeaten record to three wins.

7th Bout
.................................

Meanwhile, in a Middleweight affair, Allan Aujero (145 Lb. / 37 yrs.), from IM Sports Jak Jai Muay Thai, lost this bout to a much younger Mattys Limberger (150 Lb. / 22 yrs.). Limberger, representing Maisonet’s Muay Thai Camp, improved his record to three wins and one loss.

8th Bout ..................................

n the Middleweight division, Borodin’s Gym’s of Brooklyn Dima Shirganov (160 Lb. / 17 yrs.) improved his unbeaten record to six wins by also winning a decision, over Nadim Higazi (160 Lb. / 25 yrs.) fighting out of Sitan Gym of Queens with a lot of hard heating hand combinations.

Higazi’s trainer, who saw his fighter’s record slide to two wins and three losses in a sanctioned fighting, apparently dissatisfied with the decision hurled profanities at the judges and official's. USMTA has stated that a letter is being sent to Higazi's camp stating this kind of behavior is not tolerated and is not professional of him.

9th Bout ..................................

IAMTJRA (The Judge & Referee Association) have also stated that a letter will be sent to Higazi's camp on the same subject. Speaking to an official, he stated that, "If a compliant is made to the association, then the association must follow up the complaint and make sure that it is understood by all, that this type of behavior cannot be tolerated. The Judges and officials gain nothing monetarily or otherwise by presenting incorrect points." It was noted that a few of the Judges placed an official complaint to the J & R association's representatives.

The evening included 10 exciting bouts, culminating in a much anticipated Super Middleweight contest in which the flamboyant Michael “The Phoenix” Tomas (167 Lb. / 24 yrs.) representing Maisonet’s Muay Thai Camp of Brooklyn was awarded a decision over the previously unbeaten James Meals (167 Lb. / 21 yrs.) from IM Sports Jak Jai Muay Thai of New Jersey to improve his record to nine wins and with only one loss.

10th Bout ..................................

James Meals’ unbeatable record has now dropped to 4 wins and 1 loss. This bout was the featured bout of the evening and brought a lot of excitement to the show and to the fans that came out to support their champions. This fight featured a lot of skill and endurance on both of the fighters and the performance was on top notch.

In addition to the elimination bouts, the evening included a number of fan-favorite’s and exhibition competitions among relatively younger combatants.

RETURN