1974

1974 AMERICAN REBIRTH UNDER A NEW NAME In North America mid way through the Bruce Lee boom (1974), there was a renewed attempt by Joe Lewis and Tom Tannenbaum to create a new "realistic" type of competition in the Martial Arts, and the (re)birth of Kickboxing under the name of Full Contact Karate resulted. Lewis brought in promoter Mike Anderson, and one of the most extraordinary events in American Karate history took place. Anderson figured it was the best (and only) way to increase spectator interest in Karate. Anderson made a contact with German Karate entrepreneur George Bruckner. The German conducted an elimination event in Europe to determine the European Full Contact Karate representatives. In America, three of the four representatives were chosen on the basis of their divisional supremecy in the USA point Karate ratings. Several months before the event Anderson formed a promotion company with Don and Judy Quine who in turn finalized the negotiations with Universal Television. The event turned out to be very successful and it was televised (ABC's Wide World of Entertainment) from the Los Angeles Sports Arena and it also received non-Martial Arts related magazine coverage. The event grossed $50,000 US at the gate. Legendary American athletes who had a made a name for themselves in Point Fighting (Bill Wallace, Jeff Smith, Joe Lewis, and Howard Jackson) made the transition over to "Full Contact Karate". Fourteen athletes competed at the event and three of the four Americans won World Karate Titles (Wallace, Smith & Lewis) and were paid $3000.00 US each for winning (Jackson was suffering from a severe knee injury and lost his bid for the title). These athletes were supported by the first "American Full Contact Karate" sanctioning body known as the Professional Karate Association (PKA) which was formed by both Quine's and Anderson a month before the event. At this event Anderson reported a personal loss of $60,000 and Tannenbaum sold the rights of the event to ABC.

CONTROVERSY IN THE NAME The success of Full Contact Karate at this time brought criticism and controversy from the traditional Martial Arts community. It was contended that Full Contact Karate degraded the art form and that it would affect the enrollment in these schools. It was also felt that the televised Full Contact Karate would lead viewers to believe that this was the required course of learning in the traditional schools. These detractors felt that there should be no association with the word "Karate" to the new sport and they vocally sought for the sport to be known as "Kickboxing". Initially this was not to be, the sport could only be sold to television because of the popularity of Karate. "Kickboxing" on the other hand was associated with the far more brutal sports in Thailand and Japan. Kickboxing was viewed as too violent and so there was a push for the name of the sport to be known as Full Contact Karate. The name worked at the time and thus the sport was broadcast as such. It was not until the 1980's that the term "Kickboxing" would start to surpass the use of the term "Full Contact Karate".

OLD BOXER UPHOLDS MUAY THAI'S HONOR Responding to a challenge from a Karate Instructor in Japan who is 40 years old, 48 year old Chuckai Prakarnchai defeats the Karate stylist by TKO in the second round.

MARTIAL ART MAGAZINE FROM THE 1990'S FEATURING KICKBOXING: (Above photo) Kickboxing Monthly Magazine (January/February 1994): Keith Allen's highly informative UK magazine. No longer being published.

MUAY THAI DEFEATS KARATE CHAMPION IN USA 2000 spectators came to watch the Black Dragons Production. The event featured Full Contact fighting interspersed with Martial Arts demonstrations. One of the most exciting matches of the evening featured Steve Fisher against Manny Charusarn, a Thai boxer. The Thai kept landing hard roundhouse kicks in the first round which resulted in Fisher stumbling awkwardly around the ring while red welts appeared on his body from where the Thai had kicked him. In the 2nd round Fisher began to score with his hands as the Thai legs began to tire. The Thai boxer could not punch as well as Fisher but Fisher couldn't get by the kicks. The Thai boxer won the match. Charusarn took the Middleweight Title with dojomate Manuel Urquidez* bowing out giving the Thai the title.
(*I do not understand how the Urquidez family has a Thai boxer, Charusarn, training in their camp in 1974, yet prior to Benny's bout with Narongnoi Kiatbandit (1977), Benny Urquidez claims to have never heard of 'Muay Thai". It does not sound right.)

THAILAND MAINTAINS HONOR OVER JAPANESE KICKBOXERS Thailand scored another victory over the Japanese at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium. 20,000 spectators came to witness the event in Bangkok. Thai flyweight Rojanadet Rotsongkram battled Kosiyu Kawasaki. As soon as the bout started, the Thai moved in with strong kicks but the Japanese fought back with determination. Halfway through the 2nd round, The Thai caught the visiting athlete with a well placed knee to the solar plexus. He then followed with 4 roundhouse kicks to the head. Kawasaki was floored for the count. In the next bout Thailand’s Prayoud Sittiboonlert (145 lbs.) battled Japan's Genshu Igari (147 lbs.). The Thai made short work of the muscular Igari in the 2nd round with a powerful left kick to the midsection that drove the wind out of the Japanese. Prayud followed with a left elbow to the face which sent the Japanese reeling back half way through the ropes. Swollen, the Japanese athlete attacked and ran into a knee that gave the Thai the win by the count. Bout 3 had Thai Welterweight Champion Khunpon Sakornpitak (149 lbs.) battling with Japanese welterweight Go Yokohama (148 lbs.). Both athletes lacked fighting spirit and started clowning with the Thai running away from the Japanese. In the 3rd round, Khunpon was told to start fighting or the bout would be declared a no-contest. Thai fans were thoroughly disappointed and started jeering as well as throwing garbage into the ring. In the final round, the Thai floored the Japanese athlete 5 times and won the decision. The 4th fight featured former Thai Flyweight Champion Chenoi Sawsiriphan (124 lbs.) battling Japanese Featherweight Champion Kunimasa Nagae. This was a great fight with both athletes displaying heart during their bloody confrontation. In the final round, the Thai threw a straight punch followed by an elbow that hit the same spot dropping the Japanese that could have been long after the count. The Japanese was saved by the bell at the sound of 6. The Thai won the bout.

CHINESE HAVE A BAD NIGHT IN BANGKOK Hong Kong Kung fu exponents who were still nursing their wounded pride after the humiliation they had suffered at the hands of the Muay Thai athletes in late 1973, had come back to Bangkok to challenge the Thai's in a return match. Two of their Kung fu brothers had been knocked out in the 1st round by the Thai boxers and now it was time to exact revenge. Hong Kong team manager Wai Chin explained that his team had been at a disadvantage in the first encounter by having to wear gloves. "Our trained hands are our most effective weapon, and we have to insist on a bare-handed fight this time. We will have our revenge all right", said the manager. After a rule meeting between the Chinese and the Thai’s the following rules were agreed upon; 1) Each contest and can fight according to their own style. 2) Each round would consist of five 3 minute rounds with a 2 minute rest period between rounds. 3) Each bout would be scored by the referee and 2 judges and it would be scored according to the Muay Thai system. 4) The only illegal techniques would be biting, finger stabs to the eyes, ears and nostrils; scratching; and attacking a downed opponent. The 'barehand' decision found some concern among the Thai athletes but the promoter Col. Thongterm Pobsook, said any athlete found clowning or not fighting to their full ability would be banned from the stadium (Lumphini) for life. 15,000 fans packed the huge Hua Mark Stadium (an affiliate facility used by the Lumphini organization). An unusually large contingent of Chinese came to watch the bouts excitedly shouting, "Bruce Lee, Bruce Lee" and "Enter you Dragons!". The event opened with an exhibition between 2 members of the Kung fu team. It proved unpopular as the crowd had come to see blood. In the first bout Thai flyweight Krengprinoi Sawsakyon (103 lbs.) squared off with Chen Yew-kuang of Hong Kong (105 lbs.). The Thai was apprehensive about his opponents exposed fingers and moved cautiously, attacking with only a few long range kicks. The Chinese was fast enough to dodge the kicks and he countered quickly with some punches to the Thai’s face. Suddenly the Thai delivered a high roundhouse to the face of his foe followed by a second to the neck which floored the Kung fu man. Clearly shaken, the Chinese struggled to his feet and then moved straight into a powerful punch that put the Chinese out for the count of 10. In the 2nd bout, Samarn Lukpanpo, former Thai Flyweight Champion (114 lbs.) met Tang Li-yuan (111 lbs.). Samarn missed a few round kicks and traded punches while close before landing a kick to the neck that sent the Chinese reeling into the ropes. The Chinese came immediately back with a series of knife hand attacks to the Thai's body. Unfortunately, he got trapped in the corner. The Thai let loose with a series of elbow and knee attacks, then used his gloves to grab the Kung fu mans head, pulled it down and smashed a knee into the Chinese mans face. Bleeding heavily Tang got back up to continue but gave up when he noticed the blood. The fight ended at 2 minutes 20 seconds of the 1st round. The third fight had Thai flyweight Rerngsak Pornthawee (114 lbs.) matched against 115 lbs. Ou Joon-hai. The Chinese was nervous and started running around the ring to stay out of the Thai's reach. The Thai caught the Chinese with a kick to the leg that sent him sprawling to his face on the canvas. After the 8 count, the Kung fu fighter refused to fight and he was booed out of the ring. Time: 1 minute, 22 seconds. The fourth fight was the main event between Thai Bantamweight Champion Nongkai Sawprasorn (119 lbs.) and Hong Kong's Teng Oui-hong (122 lbs.). The Chinese went through a lot of flashy moves and then attacked the Thai with a jumping front kick. The Thai dodged the kick and countered with a roundhouse kick to the kidney region of the Chinese. The kick stopped the Chinese in mid-air and he dropped to the canvas like a sack of rice. The bout lasted 20 seconds. The final bout of the event featured Thai flyweight Payon Sermviset (110 lbs.) against Loo Ui-liang (108 lbs.). With some very fast and powerful hand combinations, the Chinese drove the Thai into the ropes. The Thai had to use some vicious elbow work to get out of trouble. The Thai followed with some strong leg kicks which landed before following up with a head kick which drove the Chinese athlete to the canvas. Payon waited for the Chinese to get back up and then landed a kick to the neck . Loo crumbled to his face and stayed there a lot longer than the 10 count. The Kung fu artist was carried from the ring on a stretcher. In the five matches the Thai’s had knocked all their opponents out in the 1st round and total action came to barely 6 minutes. The Chinese spectators started shouting, "cruelty", "torture", and "Barbarians" were answered with jeers from the Thai audience. According to records this event marked the 4th time there was a confrontation between Kung fu and Muay Thai. In 1921, Tse Shang, a famous Chinese fighter challenged a Thai boxer by the name of Yang Hantalay. Eye witness reports claim that it was the most brutal fight ever seen. It lasted under 3 minutes and the Chinese needed months of medical care to recover. Then in 1958 a team of Tai Kek were all beaten by Thai boxers. All the fights ended in 1st round KO'es. None of the fighters from the 1973 matches appeared in the 1974 matches. The Hong Kong manager Wai Chin said, "I've had enough. Never again. Muay Thai is too dangerous to be a sport."

SINGAPORE KUNG FU STYLISTS FAIL TO DEFEAT MUAY THAI Disturbed by the losses of Kung Fu fighters from Hong Kong at the hands and feet of Thai boxers during a number of recent challenge matches, and annoyed at the increased arrogance of Muay Thai followers who claim Muay Thai is unbeatable, a group of Martial Artists from Singapore issued a challenge to fight the Thai's anywhere in the world. This turned out to be Bangkok, where 3 chan tung stylists arrived to battle with the Thai’s. Chan tung is reported to be a mixture of Tae Kwon-Do and Kung fu. 20,000 fans came to Radgdamnern Stadium to watch what turned out to be another disaster for the Chinese. Thailand's number 1 rated middleweight Prapai Sitchumpon and Michael Lee, a well known Lightheavyweight on the Singapore tournament circuit battled in a bout that lasted only 90 seconds. The Thai finished the bout with a flying knee to Lee's solar plexus. Radgdamnern's Welterweight Champion Saensak Muangsurin battled Singapore's Tae Yien-chen, nicknamed the "Black Killer" because he is reported to have killed an opponent with a chop during a tournament a few years earlier. It was Tae's reputation that made the Thai's insist that the Singapore athletes wore gloves. The first round had both athletes cautiously eyeing each other to find defensive weakness. In round 2, the Thai moved in with heavy body punches, driving the Chinese into a corner. A high left kick dropped the Chinese who at 1 minute and 20 seconds into the second round, had lasted longer than any other non-Thai stylist in the recent grudge matches. Radgdamnern's top lightweight Netr Saknarong battled Yia Lee-lee in about which also never lasted through the first round. An early left kick by the Thai dropped the Chinese, who staggered to his feet and received a vicious left hook to the neck that put him down for the count.

MARTIAL ART MAGAZINE FROM THE 1990'S FEATURING KICKBOXING: (Above photo) Japanese Martial Arts Magazine (1993): This particular issue covers the first K-1 Grand Prix..

MUAY THAI DEFEATS 'MUAY KHMER' Khmer Kickboxers no match for Bangkok fighters. A Muay Thai event held between Thailand and Cambodia was held in Bangkok before a capacity crowd. The event was completely dominated by the Thai athletes. The Khmer's also consider Muay Thai as their indigenous art of self-defense. In the 145 lbs. weight class, Surakant Klongpachon bested Chia Sala by a 4th round KO. At 126 lbs. Singhkanong Petchthanin KO'ed Mye Polra in round 4. In the 2nd round of 121 lbs. bout, Rungsang Lukkhongsong KO'ed Jimmy Sawuth. Chid Salim was outpointed by Prasit Lukchaopraya in the 118 lbs. contest. The main event featured Weeraphan Singhpayong outpointing Lem Pata to win the 110 lbs. title. The Khmer's techniques and endurance appeared more effective than those of other styles who, in recent tournaments, had all lost by 1st round KO'es.

MUAY THAI AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN? Fight manager Chana Sabkaew returned from the USA and has started screening the country's top fighters to be included in a team to appear at Madison Square Garden. Invited by US promoters David Chow and Flores Hamilton, the Muay Thai stylists are to meet a team of Kung fu fighters during the Chinese New Year celebration in 1975. Arrangements were also said to be made to have the Thai's meet with a team of Tae Kwon-Do stylists and a team of Karate stylists. "Should this tour end successfully for us, we will set up a permanent fight camp in the United States immediately," said manager Chana. The event never takes place.

MUAY THAI FATALITY IN THAILAND The main bout in a Muay Thai tournament in Chaing Rai ended in disaster when the winner suffered fatal injuries. Singthong Chaoneua had narrowly beaten Singhdeo on points in a vicious battle where both athletes endured an extraordinary amount of punishment. The referee lifted Singhthong's hand at the end of the final round and before he could receive his prize, he fainted and collapsed. Singthong died on the way to the hospital as a result of internal injuries.

FEMALE MUAY THAI COMPETITION A 9 girl Muay Thai team was scheduled to go to Japan for a tour of exhibition fights lasting 6 months. Led by Banjamas Chunhasvee, the young women are all ring veterans who make their living at sideshows and unofficial tournaments in Thailand. Female Muay Thai fighters are still not recognized by any Thai Boxing Associations. The tour was to be organized and financed by Teruo Kusomoto, president of the Japanese Women's Kickboxing Association, and who was trying to get Japanese girls interested in the Thai art.

MUAY THAI BOOK FROM THAILAND: (Above photo) RADGDAMNERN STADIUM - MUAY THAI - THE KING OF ALL MARTIAL ARTS English language book published in Thailand.

BURMESE FIGHTING STYLES Myanmar Letwhei (the traditional fighting art of Burma) is a mixture of Karate and Boxing techniques. It is one of 3 kinds of Myanmar Thaing (unarmed Burmese self-defense). The other 2 being Bando and Naba (wrestling). Competitors fight in this art both barehanded and bare fisted and concern for their safety are essential elements in the art. During a contest, as soon as an athlete bleeds, the fight is over and the winner is the athlete who did not bleed. Strangely during a bout a contestant can raise his hand to stop the bout, and then when he is ready to continue, the athletes will. Also if an athlete is injured, his opponent will be the first to rush to his opponents aid. When a bout begins neither athlete will fight until absolutely sure both are ready for combat. This is done by a signal called letkhamaungkhat (by slapping the elbow with the other palm). There is no weight limit and there is no time limit during the fights. When the boxers are engaged in a fierce struggle, the referee may signal a break. 4 breaks constitute a round and 4 rounds constitute a contest. Should the match be a tie, the athletes proceed to a non-stop fight to the finish where one will either submit or is injured. Under these conditions a fight can last up to several hours. A fight is won by an opponent bleeding or being injured. There are 2 types of bleeding: internal wounds accompanied with bleeding from the nose or the mouth, and external bleeding from when the skin is pierced. If an athlete is bleeding he can wipe away the blood 3 times, if it continues, he loses the match. Decisions can also come by an opponent submitting or disqualification. Fists, elbows, knees, toes, and the head are weapons usually used in this type of fighting.

MUAY THAI DEFEATS KARATE IN PHILIPPINES Nirund Boonyanet, a college student from Thailand studying in the Philippines knocked out Karateka Candido Piket in the 2nd round of a scheduled 5 round freestyle bout in Rizal Coliseum Stadium in Manila. The Thai is considered an amateur in Muay Thai circles, opened the 1st round with a high kick that sent the Filipino to the floor. Before the round was over, an elbow opened a cut on the Karateka’s lips. The 2nd round saw the Thai using knees to the lower body before a high kick ended the fight.

PROFESSIONAL BOXERS TURN TO KICKBOXING Former World Bantamweight Boxing challenger Katsuyoshi Kanasawa of Japan who turned to fighting in Japan's Kickboxing rings, lost a fight on points against former Muay Thai Champion Chennoi Sawsiriphan in Radgdamnern Stadium in Bangkok. For 5 rounds, the Thai chased his foe around the ring with long range kicks which floored the Japanese athlete several times. The Japanese athlete lost by a wide margin but the Thai athlete was unable to knock him out. Kanasawa was originally supposed to meet former World Flyweight Boxing Champion Berkrerk Chartvanchai whom he once knocked out in a boxing bout. The Thai has taken up Kickboxing as well and ended his boxing career. But the Thai decided to retire from pugilism altogether.

KICKFIGHTING ADDS TO THE CONFUSION Gary Alexander* comes out with Kick Fighting (not boxing, Fighting). Athletes will wear regular boxing gloves and besides punching will be able to use grabs and throws. Feet will be padded as well. Athletes are also allowed to attack downed opponents. Each bout will consist of 3 rounds of 2 minutes. "It's Kickboxing plus... which means it should turn out to be the roughest, wildest sport around." With claims like that, it turns out to be the kiss of death for the sport which never really takes off or gets much publicity.
*GARY ALEXANDER
'Kickfighting' One of the East Coasts most prominent promoters Gary Alexander took his step into the full contact world with his promotion of his sport of Kickfighting.

MARTIAL ARTS MAGAZINE FROM THE 1970'S FEATURING KICKBOXING: (Above photo) Action Black Belt Magazine (1974): Features a story on Kickfighting and founder Gary Alexander.

MUAY THAI INVADES EUROPE Muay Thai was introduced into Europe by a team of professional fighters from Radgdamnern Stadium. Exhibition bouts will take place in England and Germany. The trip is organized by the Tourist Organization of Thailand.

ALEXANDER PROMOTES EVENT Gary Alexander hosted Kickboxing at his July 13 Pro/Am event.

WORLD OF MARTIAL ARTS 12/2074 12/21/74 Convinced that Full Contact was the way to go, Benny Urquidez entered the World Series of Martial Arts in 1974. There were 58 entries including Boxers, Wrestlers, Street Fighters, Sumo Wrestlers and Martial Artists. The rules allowed everything including elbows, knees, and head butting. The Grand Championship was worth $5000. In the first day Urquidez and Dana Goodsen* were knocking everyone out. On the second day people were badly injured and pulling out which left 10 entrants left in the competition. Urquidez defeated Goodsen by third round decision (not by fourth round KO as Urquidez has claimed).

*DANA GOODSEN (now deceased)
Benny Urquidez claims to have knocked Dana Goodsen out in Tommy Lee's World Series of Martial Arts Championships. The Championship took place in 1974 (not 1973 as Urquidez has stated). Benny has said he knocked Goodsen out in the fourth round. Urquidez did not knock Goodsen out and all the fights in the event were fought over 3 rounds, not 4. This was Dana's first professional fight. Goodsen had 3 grueling rounds with Blinky Orderlies before meeting Urquidez. On the other hand Urquidez had had fought and won a TKO in the fight before meeting Goodsen.

THE HUMBLE START OF THE PKA 11,500 fans saw Mike Anderson's* induction of the World Professional Karate Championships. This televised event was to set the stage for the new Professional Karate Association (PKA) and was in fact sanctioned by the PKA. Athletes came from Seoul, Hakata, Mexico City, Montreal, Toronto, Berlin, Belgrade, Santa Domingo and Memphis and all would battle for $20000 in prize money. 4 divisions were set up: lightweight (152 lbs. and under), middleweight (165 lbs. to 152 lbs.), lightheavyweight (182 lbs. to 165 lbs.), and heavyweight (183 lbs. and over). Bouts were to be 3 rounds of 2 minutes. A round would end by a knockdown and the athlete knocking the other athlete down would automatically win the round. When the event was over 4 men received cheques for $3000 each. They were Bill Wallace, Jeff Smith, Joe Lewis and the big upset of the event Mexico's Isaiah Duenas (the lightweight division was suppose to go to heavily favored Howard Jackson). The first of 2 lightweight elimination matches featured American Howard Jackson* stepping into the ring against Dominican Republic's Ramon Smith. Both men exchanged punches in bunches and each delivered token kicks during the exchanges. Jackson showed none of his fast kicking and footwork because a week before the event he had injured his knee in a tournament (stepping on a paper cup and twisting the knee). Smith no longer fearing Jackson’s kicks, attacked with punches and kicks. Jackson attempted an unsuccessful takedown and Smith countered with his own successful takedown as well as a punch to the head. Smith was awarded the bout. Mexico's Isaiah Duenas stepped into the ring against Germany's Frank Knittel. Duenas was in control of the bout. Knittel was knocked out midway through the 2nd round. The first of the middleweight elimination matches featured Bill Wallace stepping into the ring against Germany's Bernd Grothe. Wallace easily won the first 2 rounds and in the final round knew all he had to do was simply avoid getting knocked out and he would win the fight. Wallace toyed with the German. Canada's Daniel Richer battled with Korea's Byong Yu. Richer won the first round and the 2nd and 3rd rounds were won by split decision in favor of the Canadian. In the Lightheavyweight division, Canada's Wally Slocki* stepped into the ring with Japan's Ryu Kenji. The Japanese athlete had come in due to communication error almost 30 lbs. less than the Canadian. Slocki laid a beating on the Japanese to easily win the fight. American Jeff Smith stepped into the ring against Yugoslavian Budimir Yejnovic. With 12 seconds left in the first round, Smith caught his foe with a ridgehand followed by a kick and his foe slumped to the ground. There was no need to count. The lightweight final had Isaiah Duenas (Mexico) against Ramon Smith (Dominican Republic). In the 3rd round the fight ended with a TKO of Smith by a punch from his Mexican foe. Duenas had won the first 2 round convincingly. Bill Wallace (USA) squared off with Daniel Richer (Canada) for the middleweight final. Wallace won all 3 rounds convincingly. Lightheavyweights Jeff Smith (USA) stepped into the ring with Wally Slocki (Canada). Smith won the 1st round and Slocki won the 2nd round. Pandemonium took place in the final round with confusing instructions being told to the Canadian and the result was a deduction of a point. Smith won the bout but the fight had great promise for a rematch in Toronto. In the final heavyweight bout Joe Lewis (USA) stepped into the ring with Franc Brodar (Yugoslavia). Lewis played with his foe and dropped him with a solid punch to the nose to win round 1. Lewis started the 2nd round slow but picked up the pace and dropped his foe in the second round with a combination of punches and kicks. The biggest problem with the tournament was the rules. The athletes could not throw too many punches in a row or they would be warned. There was a definite push to see kicking taking place (the beginning of the minimum kick requirement rule).

*MIKE ANDERSON
One of the founders of the PKA (with the Quine's) criticizes Aaron Banks for televising 'sloppy and out of shape' champions on television. Splits involvement with the Quine's and the PKA. He founds the World Martial Arts Association after and makes big contacts. However, the project fizzles out.

*HOWARD JACKSON
Originally scheduled to fight on the first PKA World Championships, Jackson destroyed his knee twisting on a paper cup the week before the championships. The knee injury was to plague him and it would be 6 years before he would finally win his first world title, the WKA World Welterweight Championship, winning it in Las Vegas defeating Japan's Yoshimitsu Tamashiro soundly. Jackson's buddy Steve Fischer's dad (also Steve) struck up a friendship with the fighter. Steve convinced Jackson to try his hand at boxing.

*WALLY SLOCKI
A student of Benny Allen. Slocki announced his retirement from competition in 1974 when he was asked to fight in the World Professional Karate Championships in LA. His first opponent Ryu Kenji, was supposed to be the Japan Karate Champion but he was over rated, under powered and underweight, so much so, that he looked like a puppet dangling on the end of Slocki's punches and kicks. The fight prompted a lot of sympathy for Kenji and made Slocki look like a bully.


Continued on the Next Page! - Late 1974, 1975 -