Friday
Dec102010
Tale of Two Fights
December 10, 2010 
Written by:
The Arbiter
There are great fights in front of huge crowds, fights that are broadcast around the world and covered by hundreds of reporters. This is not about those fights. Sometimes, some of the best match-ups and battles, for whatever reason, go virtually unwatched. Although they might not go down in history with a cool name like "The Rumble in the Jungle", they can mean a lot to the competitors, camps and the fight world at large. This is about some of those fights.
In December of 2010 there were two events that, although polar opposites in terms of venue, audience, and finances, had one thing in common: a great fight that almost no one saw. These fights may have long-lasting impacts in the Muay Thai world, or at least the North American East Coast region thereof.
It was a cold, clear night on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. The rows of tenements were quiet and the wind blew loose papers and plastic bags through empty streets. A small group of supporters had gathered to cheer on their friends, boyfriends and sons in glorious Muay Thai competition on the second floor of an old grey apartment building – nondescript but for the poorly lit sign outside. The sign wearily announced the presence of a tiny boxing gym that serves the immediate community, yet is ironically named "Worldwide Boxing Gym."
Although most fights that night featured first-time fighters, there were several quality gyms involved, including Borodin's MT, Lion's Den, Lion's Roar and Ardon's Sweet Science. The stars of the show and main event however, Jake Mainini and Tim Amorim, represented Boston Muay Thai Academy and the ubiquitous Sitan Gym, respectively. As the night drew close to the finale many fans had gone home after the fighter they had come for was done competing. I understand some have long drives home and children to put to bed, but seeing the crowd leaving early can be very frustrating and disappointing to all those who have trained and sacrificed to put on a good show. Aside from the fact that the crowd chooses to miss out on the last fight – which are usually the best – it can be disheartening to a fighter looking into the crowd and see dozens of empty seats and people making their way out. That said, let's return to the story. It was nearly midnight as Jake and Tim climbed over the ropes. The two men entered, only one would leave with the USMTA Amateur Championship belt around his waist.
This 5 x 2 min.-round war was a true battle of styles. The younger and more aggressive Amorim advanced relentlessly in true Thai style. He attacked with punches and kicks to the legs and was only set back by a solid teep to his chest, and then a pause when one of his kicks landed on Jake’s cup. Although Jake was giving ground, he was attacking in retreat with well timed teeps and circling in order to throw solid kicks to Tim’s thighs from good angles. When Tim would get too aggressive and close the distance between them, Jake’s stronger upper-body gave him an advantage which he used to throw Tim to the canvas several times. This advantage in the clinch may have been the edge that gave him the round in the judges eyes, who knows? Both fighters mixed their hands and feet well in the opening moments of the second round. Another accidental kick to the cup by Tim and another several good throws by Jake made the second round a near-copy of the first, but with a new wrinkle. Jake had begun to time out Tim’s body kicks, catch them, and brilliantly sweep Tim’s plant leg, sending Tim clattering loudly to the mat.
Round three saw both fighters pick up the pace and, in true Thai style, targeting their sites. The shots to the head were coming more rapidly and sharply now from both fighters. Tim blocked well with his hands and Jake faded back like Muhammad Ali in the rope-a-dope to avoid these potential knock-out blows. Jake remained stoic throughout the fight, his face changed only in reaction to the kicks to his groin. With the newly grown beard, he appeared even more stalwart and calm. Tim continued to chase and press him, but continued to get caught in Jake’s clinch, suffering from his powerful knees and traumatic throws. Both fighters were quite fresh in the fourth – Jake throwing combinations with high volumes of punches and snapping kicks, Tim bouncing around and attacking from every angle he could find. Tim continued to land his low kicks well to Jake’s thighs, even sweeping Jake’s plant leg at one point, but couldn’t match Jake’s highly effective clinch. At some points Tim would go into a defensive posture with his shin across Jake’s waist, or turn his hip to Jake’s. But the real difference was just that – when Jake threw his knees, he pulled his hips away first, creating the space necessary for more impact and lowering his level in preparation for a throw. Tim still needs to learn to keep his hips away so he can use them better.
The younger Amorim came out visibly fresher in the fifth and final round, bouncing and moving around the slightly fatigued Mainini. This is to be expected, considering the high level of out-put through the first 4 rounds. Jake’s retreat seemed more forced and less strategic this round, as he kept his back to the ropes and back pedaled from corner to corner, as if sealing the ring in reverse. Jake did continue to be offensive, however, picking his spots to unleash a punch combination, or kick to Tim’s leg. Again, Jake’s best moments were when Tim got too close and clinched up. Jake used these opportunities to catch his breath, stop Tim’s constant onslaught, and score with a few knees and throws of his own. It was a great, close fight, in which almost every round could have gone either way. It went to the judges, who rendered a MAJORITY DECISION to the incumbent champion, Jake Mainini. Some supporters of Sitan were unhappy with the decision, but Tim was gracious in defeat and showed the heart of a champion – promising to learn from this loss and come back better and stronger. I feel that both fighters are ready to take the next step and turn pro very soon, if not in their next fights. It was an amazing fight that the Muay Thai world will have to enjoy on YouTube.
Our next stop on the Muay Thai Express would take us only a dozen miles down the I-87/Major Deegan/FDR combo, but into another world entirely. If the Bronx is known to be the home of hard-core hip-hop and thuggish criminals, Downtown Manhattan is know to be the Center of American finance, the Stock Exchange, and white-collar criminals. But there is one thread binding them together: Muay Thai.
It was a crisp mid-December evening in New York's Financial District as the wealthy and beautiful gathered at Cipriani’s on Wall Street for a charity event. The event was held to benefit the Somaly Mam Foundation’s Fight for Humanity. In the spirit of this socio-political battle they held a small but impressive fight card featuring some of the top guns in east-coast Muay Thai. There were also three amateur boxing matches, but I'll leave that for another writer. The stand-out fight of the night was again, the final bout on the card. This time, New York City’s much heralded Sean Hinds of Sitan Gym squared off against The Terror from Toronto, “Bazooka Joe” Valtellini of Team Ultimate. Valtellini has been gaining momentum from his first professional bout and came into the fight undefeated, having won almost all of his fights by KO. This promised to be a real treat for both the casual fan and Muay Thai aficionado alike.
It was a cold, clear night on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. The rows of tenements were quiet and the wind blew loose papers and plastic bags through empty streets. A small group of supporters had gathered to cheer on their friends, boyfriends and sons in glorious Muay Thai competition on the second floor of an old grey apartment building – nondescript but for the poorly lit sign outside. The sign wearily announced the presence of a tiny boxing gym that serves the immediate community, yet is ironically named "Worldwide Boxing Gym."
Although most fights that night featured first-time fighters, there were several quality gyms involved, including Borodin's MT, Lion's Den, Lion's Roar and Ardon's Sweet Science. The stars of the show and main event however, Jake Mainini and Tim Amorim, represented Boston Muay Thai Academy and the ubiquitous Sitan Gym, respectively. As the night drew close to the finale many fans had gone home after the fighter they had come for was done competing. I understand some have long drives home and children to put to bed, but seeing the crowd leaving early can be very frustrating and disappointing to all those who have trained and sacrificed to put on a good show. Aside from the fact that the crowd chooses to miss out on the last fight – which are usually the best – it can be disheartening to a fighter looking into the crowd and see dozens of empty seats and people making their way out. That said, let's return to the story. It was nearly midnight as Jake and Tim climbed over the ropes. The two men entered, only one would leave with the USMTA Amateur Championship belt around his waist.
This 5 x 2 min.-round war was a true battle of styles. The younger and more aggressive Amorim advanced relentlessly in true Thai style. He attacked with punches and kicks to the legs and was only set back by a solid teep to his chest, and then a pause when one of his kicks landed on Jake’s cup. Although Jake was giving ground, he was attacking in retreat with well timed teeps and circling in order to throw solid kicks to Tim’s thighs from good angles. When Tim would get too aggressive and close the distance between them, Jake’s stronger upper-body gave him an advantage which he used to throw Tim to the canvas several times. This advantage in the clinch may have been the edge that gave him the round in the judges eyes, who knows? Both fighters mixed their hands and feet well in the opening moments of the second round. Another accidental kick to the cup by Tim and another several good throws by Jake made the second round a near-copy of the first, but with a new wrinkle. Jake had begun to time out Tim’s body kicks, catch them, and brilliantly sweep Tim’s plant leg, sending Tim clattering loudly to the mat.
Round three saw both fighters pick up the pace and, in true Thai style, targeting their sites. The shots to the head were coming more rapidly and sharply now from both fighters. Tim blocked well with his hands and Jake faded back like Muhammad Ali in the rope-a-dope to avoid these potential knock-out blows. Jake remained stoic throughout the fight, his face changed only in reaction to the kicks to his groin. With the newly grown beard, he appeared even more stalwart and calm. Tim continued to chase and press him, but continued to get caught in Jake’s clinch, suffering from his powerful knees and traumatic throws. Both fighters were quite fresh in the fourth – Jake throwing combinations with high volumes of punches and snapping kicks, Tim bouncing around and attacking from every angle he could find. Tim continued to land his low kicks well to Jake’s thighs, even sweeping Jake’s plant leg at one point, but couldn’t match Jake’s highly effective clinch. At some points Tim would go into a defensive posture with his shin across Jake’s waist, or turn his hip to Jake’s. But the real difference was just that – when Jake threw his knees, he pulled his hips away first, creating the space necessary for more impact and lowering his level in preparation for a throw. Tim still needs to learn to keep his hips away so he can use them better.
The younger Amorim came out visibly fresher in the fifth and final round, bouncing and moving around the slightly fatigued Mainini. This is to be expected, considering the high level of out-put through the first 4 rounds. Jake’s retreat seemed more forced and less strategic this round, as he kept his back to the ropes and back pedaled from corner to corner, as if sealing the ring in reverse. Jake did continue to be offensive, however, picking his spots to unleash a punch combination, or kick to Tim’s leg. Again, Jake’s best moments were when Tim got too close and clinched up. Jake used these opportunities to catch his breath, stop Tim’s constant onslaught, and score with a few knees and throws of his own. It was a great, close fight, in which almost every round could have gone either way. It went to the judges, who rendered a MAJORITY DECISION to the incumbent champion, Jake Mainini. Some supporters of Sitan were unhappy with the decision, but Tim was gracious in defeat and showed the heart of a champion – promising to learn from this loss and come back better and stronger. I feel that both fighters are ready to take the next step and turn pro very soon, if not in their next fights. It was an amazing fight that the Muay Thai world will have to enjoy on YouTube.
Our next stop on the Muay Thai Express would take us only a dozen miles down the I-87/Major Deegan/FDR combo, but into another world entirely. If the Bronx is known to be the home of hard-core hip-hop and thuggish criminals, Downtown Manhattan is know to be the Center of American finance, the Stock Exchange, and white-collar criminals. But there is one thread binding them together: Muay Thai.
It was a crisp mid-December evening in New York's Financial District as the wealthy and beautiful gathered at Cipriani’s on Wall Street for a charity event. The event was held to benefit the Somaly Mam Foundation’s Fight for Humanity. In the spirit of this socio-political battle they held a small but impressive fight card featuring some of the top guns in east-coast Muay Thai. There were also three amateur boxing matches, but I'll leave that for another writer. The stand-out fight of the night was again, the final bout on the card. This time, New York City’s much heralded Sean Hinds of Sitan Gym squared off against The Terror from Toronto, “Bazooka Joe” Valtellini of Team Ultimate. Valtellini has been gaining momentum from his first professional bout and came into the fight undefeated, having won almost all of his fights by KO. This promised to be a real treat for both the casual fan and Muay Thai aficionado alike.
Hinds and Valtellini both came out strong with measured paces. Joe went to work right away, chopping at Sean’s lead leg like Paul Bunyan on a redwood tree. Each time Joe’s right leg landed the thud of bone on bone could be heard echoing off the walls of the cavernous room. Sean was game, as advertised, but he was feeling the effects of the leg kicks from the first. A close observer could even see a flash of shock cross Hinds’ face upon feeling Joe’s power. Hinds’ retreated to the ropes early on, looking to evade those thunderous low-kicks. As Valtellini followed him, Hinds would catch him in the clinch, using his knees and “dirty” boxing. He may even have landed more punches and knees in close, but they didn’t have near the power or effect of Joe’s kicks and head-snapping punches. This pattern continued through the first and into the second round, wherein the pace picked up. Valtellini continued to stalk the back-to-the-ropes Hinds around the ring attacking the left thigh.
Valtellini’s dynamic hooks and uppercuts landed more and more frequently to Hinds head, as Sean devoted his attention to protecting his lead leg. He had begun showing the classic signs that the leg was hurting; grimacing when it was hit, keeping his weight off of it, and then switching his stance to keep the left leg behind him. Hinds’ handlers recognized the trouble he was in and were in the corner of the ring working on him before the last ring of the bell finished echoing. They tried every cornerman’s trick to help him recover but it was to no avail, as Sean’s leg had taken too much punishment to be useful, or even supportive. As Hinds was unable to answer the bell, Valtellini had secured another TKO victory, protecting his undefeated record.
Word of the Valtellini fight spread quickly and added to his acclaim and mystique, even perhaps helping him become one of the nominees for 2010 North American Muaythai Fighter of the Year. On the other hand, only those in their immediate circles and a few other insiders have any knowledge of the 5 round war between Jake and Tim, even though their fight was for a championship belt, not a charity.
One of the key differences in the shows was their promotion. While neither had much public exposure, only one needed it, while the other had its client list already filled. I think it falls on the promoters of shows to do just that, PROMOTE THEM TO THE PUBLIC. Yes they have a lot of logistics to handle and a fight card to set up, but without more investment in advertising and marketing, it makes it even more difficult to grow the promotion, and more importantly, grow the sport. Here I must also refer back to the fans leaving early and implore trainers and coaches to educate their fighters, families, and fans on the importance and value of appreciating the event in it's entirety.
Lastly, I implore all lovers of action sports, combat sports, and Muay Thai in particular to go to the smaller shows and show your love, go to the bigger shows and experience the passion and drama. Get out there and cheer for a total stranger when they earn it, not just the guys from your gym. And please, for yourself and everyone involved stay till the end and stay loud… for one day it may be you, or your loved one looking out in to the crowd, and you would want them to feel the rush and the love of a room packed with people cheering for them.
- Chok Dee!!!
One of the key differences in the shows was their promotion. While neither had much public exposure, only one needed it, while the other had its client list already filled. I think it falls on the promoters of shows to do just that, PROMOTE THEM TO THE PUBLIC. Yes they have a lot of logistics to handle and a fight card to set up, but without more investment in advertising and marketing, it makes it even more difficult to grow the promotion, and more importantly, grow the sport. Here I must also refer back to the fans leaving early and implore trainers and coaches to educate their fighters, families, and fans on the importance and value of appreciating the event in it's entirety.
Lastly, I implore all lovers of action sports, combat sports, and Muay Thai in particular to go to the smaller shows and show your love, go to the bigger shows and experience the passion and drama. Get out there and cheer for a total stranger when they earn it, not just the guys from your gym. And please, for yourself and everyone involved stay till the end and stay loud… for one day it may be you, or your loved one looking out in to the crowd, and you would want them to feel the rush and the love of a room packed with people cheering for them.
- Chok Dee!!!
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