Saturday
Apr032010
Muay Thai in America
April 3, 2010 
The International Muay Thai Federation & Atma'sphere Entertainment presented this event at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica to introduce the martial art of Muay Thai to the American audiences. They succeeded in putting cultural authenticity up front while delivering a high caliber of talent on an international scale. The event's production value was a lot higher than we're used to and the overall experience was both educational as well as inspirational. The event also kicked off the start of a new reality show "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team", with representatives scouting and registering potential hopefuls.
Through the generosity of promoter Don McDaniels, we were fortunately situated in the corner of both Neungsiam Samphusri and Malaipet Diamond, which meant Bunkerd Faphimai and Jongsanan "The Wooden Man" Fairtex were standing by while Ajarn Chai Sirisute and the legendary Guro Dan Inosanto were buzzing in and out.
Neungsiam displayed amazing control and confidence for the unanimous decision. Malaipet, though confident and playful at first, seemed to lose steam towards the 4th round, allowing the emotional Provost to take the split decision. Other standout bouts included Ben Yelle's KO by legkicks, Miriam Nakamoto's constant aggression over Angela Parr, and local fave Romie Adanza's technical perseverance for the split decision. The bout between Adanza and Howson was so tight it literally had the crowd thundering in the bleachers.
This event was a shining example of "putting your best foot forward" in terms of representing Muay Thai within the context of American culture. Hopefully, with continued success, they set a new standard and take the event across the rest of the States.
Through the generosity of promoter Don McDaniels, we were fortunately situated in the corner of both Neungsiam Samphusri and Malaipet Diamond, which meant Bunkerd Faphimai and Jongsanan "The Wooden Man" Fairtex were standing by while Ajarn Chai Sirisute and the legendary Guro Dan Inosanto were buzzing in and out.
Neungsiam displayed amazing control and confidence for the unanimous decision. Malaipet, though confident and playful at first, seemed to lose steam towards the 4th round, allowing the emotional Provost to take the split decision. Other standout bouts included Ben Yelle's KO by legkicks, Miriam Nakamoto's constant aggression over Angela Parr, and local fave Romie Adanza's technical perseverance for the split decision. The bout between Adanza and Howson was so tight it literally had the crowd thundering in the bleachers.
This event was a shining example of "putting your best foot forward" in terms of representing Muay Thai within the context of American culture. Hopefully, with continued success, they set a new standard and take the event across the rest of the States.
3 x 3 min. rounds - Amateur Light Heavyweights
Jorge Perez
Dobler’s, Fontana CA
Dobler’s, Fontana CA
Unan. Dec.
Glenn Spencer
Sityodtong, Pasadena CA
Sityodtong, Pasadena CA
5 x 3 min. rounds - (Full MT Rules) Middleweights
Kenny Finister
AdrenalineCSF, Temecula CA
AdrenalineCSF, Temecula CA
KO - 2nd
2:33
2:33
Joe Davidson
Dobler’s, Fontana CA
Dobler’s, Fontana CA
5 x 3 min. rounds - (Full MT Rules) Light Heavyweights
Andy Kapel
Minnesota Martial Arts
Minnesota Martial Arts
TKO - 3rd
2:48
2:48
Danny 'Demon' Davis
Fasi Sports, Las Vegas NV
Fasi Sports, Las Vegas NV
5 x 3 min. rounds - (Full MT Rules) Welterweights
Ben Yelle
Warriors Muay Thai, Marquette MI
Warriors Muay Thai, Marquette MI
KO - 3rd
0:30
0:30
Raymond Cole
Tampa Muay Thai, FL
Tampa Muay Thai, FL
5 x 3 min. rounds - (Full MT Rules) Lightweights
Neungsiam Samphusri
THA/Fight & Fitness, SF CA
THA/Fight & Fitness, SF CA
Unan. Dec.
Nat McIntyre
Minnesota Martial Arts
Minnesota Martial Arts
IMTF World Title Bouts
5 x 3 min. rounds - (Full MT Rules) Women's Lightweights
Miriam Nakamoto
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Unan. Dec.
Angela Parr
Boonchu Gym, AUS
Boonchu Gym, AUS
5 x 3 min. rounds - (Full MT Rules) Lightweights
Romie Adanza
Team Oyama, Irvine CA
Team Oyama, Irvine CA
Split Dec.
Andy Howson
Bad Company, Leeds UK
Bad Company, Leeds UK
5 x 3 min. rounds - (Full MT Rules) Super Welterweights
Christophe Pruvost
SUI/JPN, Tokyo JPN
SUI/JPN, Tokyo JPN
Split Dec.
Malaipet Team Diamond
NoHo CA
NoHo CA
tagged Los Angeles, Muay Thai in America in Events, Muay Thai
Los Angeles, Muay Thai in America in Events, Muay Thai 
Reader Comments (1)
Howsen vs Adanza great fight! why did Andy cry about the outcome?