Strike II

Third Round of “Elimination” Thai Boxing Bouts a  Big Hit in Brookyln

 Photo's by Anton Oparin/Gandalf                                                           Story by Terri Cotta

USMTA AMATUER MUAY THAI STATE ELIMINATIONS

Strike Zone Muay Thai Sports Club Held a New York State Amateur Muay Thai Event on Feb. 21, 2004

BROOKLY, NY - The East Coast’s USMTA (U.S. Muay Thai Association) sanctioned Muay Thai Amateur  State Elimination Event took place on Saturday, February 21^st at 8PM at The Strike Zone Sports Club. Eight scheduled bouts were scheduled at the night of that event, in the main event featuring Strike Zone Gyms, Kaream “The Gladiator” Ellington - VS. Yuri Posochov, of Borodin’s Gym.

Fighters from all over New York, representing 4 gyms, from Brooklyn, Queens, and New Jersey were competing in this U.S.M.T.A. sanctioned event promoted by Strike Promotions and Maisonet’s Muay Thai Camp. The event provided a unique opportunity for the New York and New Jersey participants to qualify for the upcoming East vs. West matches, with winners moving on to become members of the U.S. National and State Amateur Muay Thai Team.

Participating Camps were: Strike Zone Muay Thai Sports Club – Brooklyn, Maisonet’s Muay Thai Camp – Brooklyn, Borodin’s Gym – Brooklyn, Sitan Gym – Queens, IM Sport Jak Jai Muay Thai - New Jersey.

Bout 1.) Junior Welter Weight

In the blue Corner Allan Aujero, of  IM Sport Jak Jai Muay Thai Gym, competed against 20 year old Djebril Oliver of Maisonet’s Muay Thai Camp, in the red corner. Aujero defeated Djebril after an excellent bout of Muay Thai.

Bout 2.)  Straw Weight

In the blue corner was 12 year old Arjun Nair of  IM Sport Jak Jai Muay Thai gym wo competed against the red corner's 14 year old Turan “The Tornado” Hasanov of Strike Zone Muay Thai Sports Club in the lightest weight of the night. Both fighters battled it out with punches and kicks, but the outcome was that new Jersey's Nair  just pipped New York's Hasanov to win.

Bout 3.) Exhibition Boxing bout; Junior Feather Weight

On the card of the night was an exhibition bout  of boxing, giving the audience a  quick change. In the blue corner, Dimash Niazov 15 years old from Borodin’s Muay Thai Gym fought against  the red corners, Malik Lewter also 15 years old from Maisonet’s Muay Thai Camp.  The bout was very good with both boxers trading punches for an excellent fight.

Bout 4.)  Feather Weight

In the blue corner, Ruben Quinit from IM Sport Jak Jai Muay Thai  of New Jersey, was pitted against New York's Ralf Vallejohe in the red corner  from Maisonet’s Muay Thai Camp. This bout was very good and both fighters put up a great effort giving a display of good Muay Thai. The fighters began the bout with an impressive display of  the  Ram Muay.  the blue corners, Ruben Quinit norrowly defeated Maisonet's Ralf Valeejohe.

Bout 5.) Welter Weight

The blue Corners Tuan Pham of IM Sport Jak Jai Muay Thai new Jersey fought against  the red corners Amin El-Khazani from New York's Sitan Gym. Sitan Gym has always produced excellent fighters and tonights bout was no different. Thai fighter Amin El-Khazani dominated the bout, but New Jersey's Tuan Phan fought back with  determination and skill. The bout was decared a win for Amin El-Khazani  for New York.

 Bout 6.) For the New York State Amateur Middle Weight Title

Blue Corner, Dima Shirganov from Borodin’s Muay Thai Gym competed against  Mattys Limburger of Maisonet’s Muay Thai Camp. This bout was a tough " Go-get-em" bout. Both fighters had landed on the canvas during the fight. Dima Shirganov  received a small cut over his right eye that looked like a punch. However, a closer look at the video showed that it was possibly a canvas rub which opened the cut. Dima Shirganov wins the bout  by KO.

Bout 7.) For the New York State Amateur Super Middle Weight Title

Now this fighter was one of the nights best bouts. Blue corner Vlad Clickfield 165 Lb. 24 years old from  Borodin’s Gym fought against Michael “The Phoenix” Tomas  at 170 Lb. 24 years old from  Maisonet’s Muay Thai Camp. Each fighter had every intention of winnning and this bout was as close as it could get. It was a shame that one fighter has to come 2nd, but  in the end it was Vlad Clickfield who clinched the fight in this very exciting and close bout.

Bout 8^{. )}  For the New York State Amateur Heavy Weight Title

Blue corners  Yuri Posochov 200 Lb of Borodin’s Gym fought against the Red corners Kaream Ellington, 195 Lb. from the Strike Zone Muay Thai Sports Club.  Another tough bout for these fighters.  Both these heavyweights slugged it out with thundering kicks and punches, but finally Ellington began to dominate the fight, forcing Yuri to defend his self. In the end it was  Ellington who took the bout.

Mr. Luis Maisonet, owner of Maisonet’s Muay Thai Training Camp in Brooklyn, believes that these events represent a critical step toward national recognition.  “The interest in Muay Thai is clearly there. We’re taking things to a new level.” 

 Kru Luis A. Maisonet, Jr. trained in Thailand and is currently ranked as a State and Regional Champion. The next Muay Thai eliminations will be held at Strike Zone sports Club on March 20^th 2004 at 8:00 PM.