I am posting the responses from principals as entries in their own right, in order that they are easily viewed and don’t disappear down the bottom of the article itself.
I tried to find a genuine bio to introduce Jenk in terms of achievements, but could only find this on a forum. Continue reading
On Saturday May 26, the Cindarella of fightsports will strike out in pursuit of the UFC Heavyweight title. We love and respect Junior Dos Santos as one of the few gentlemen remaining in what has increasingly become a thug sport (see the woeful weigh-in shaenanigans of Diaz and St-Pierre), but my money is on the great Antipodean.
I salute Dos Santos, but Mark Hunt is in my heart.
All hail the Super Samoan!!!
Revenge of the beard!
International Kickboxer Magazine, March/April 2013
In Queensland, people grow all kinds of crazy things in their backyards. At Jamie Stamp’s house in Ormeau, it happens to be a kickboxing gym.
“It started off as a small shed down the back of the house,” says Jamie. “Since Anthony [Vella] has come along, the place has grown in leaps and bounds. It’s getting bigger and bigger! We’ve already got six of our regular fighters matched for February, and there’s fifteen or so fighters down there altogether.” Continue reading
International Kickboxer Magazine, March/April 2013
The Full-Force Gym in Blacktown in Sydney’s western suburbs is a family affair. JARROD BOYLE talks to MICHAEL BADATO and JOE CONCHA, two of its brightest stars. Continue reading
I am lucky enough to have Christian Ennor holding pads for me. He is among the best pad holders I have worked with; he is systematic and understands not only how fights work, but how to train for them.
One of the things I admire most about him – other than his insight into the intricacies of fighting – is his physical courage. He always positions himself in such a way that I can get maximum leverage and power into my strikes, which is always at his expense. That kind of self-sacrifice is emblematic of the very best trainers.
He is also proof that a great trainer needs intelligence and insight every bit as much as experience. Continue reading
Ramon Dekkers is one of the greats of Muay Thai; probably the greatest Westerner to ever don the Mongkon. He had two hundred fights for one hundred and seventy-five wins, which would probably have been an even greater number had he not taken so many fights back-to-back with as little as a week in between.
Sadly, Dekkers died today, aged 43. He made a massive contribution to my fighting and training life; he and his father Cor Hemmers made my experience of living and training in the Netherlands fantastic.
Blitz Magazine, December 2012
The day I talked to Peter, he was managing multiple tasks and unsure I’d be able to get any sense out of him.
“I’ve just come from ten rounds of sparring!” Continue reading
International Kickboxer Magazine, Jan/Feb 2013
K1 has been through some trying times of late; bankruptcy, changes in ownership, radioactive meltdowns and the like. The brand of the world’s most prestigious fight organization has survived, however, with a strong Australian contingent as a crucial part of it. BEN EDWARDS and PAUL SLOWINSKI talk to JARROD BOYLE about their recent experience in Japan at the Final 16. Continue reading
International Kickboxer Magazine, Jan/Feb 2013
Kickboxing, as a sport, as been evolving since the early eighties. Its roots in Muay Thai have remained constant, however; Muay Thai continues to exist despite fashion and rule changes and springs up like a hardy flower in the most unlikely of places, taking root amongst passionate practitioners and audiences alike. JARROD BOYLE takes you on a whirlwind tour of the best fighters defining and promoting the art worldwide. Continue reading
Theme Park at its Darkest 