 Combat at the Capitale - Epic Battles on the Bowery June 13th 2008 - Chinatown - New York City :: East Coast Mixed Martial Arts Pioneering Promoters Louis Neglia & Ray Longo once again provide the best kickboxing & Muay Thai fights this side of the Hudson River.
This is where the local tough guys get to show off their stuff, all the hard work in the gym pays off right here in front of the hundreds of fans who react to every punch and kick thrown.
The venue was packed as always with the usual suspects & some new young faces - adding to the intensity of the crowd. This is an intimate venue - no matter where you are in the Capitale you are in the middle of the action, there are no "Bad seats". If you sit ringside be prepared to shield yourself from the body fluid shrapnel that is constantly reigning down on us at Ringside. This adds to the "reality" of the event as you can actually walk out with some DNA from your favorite fighter- talk about a unique souvenir!!
This had to be one of the best shows ever at the Capitale; the main event pitted NYC Muay Thai fixture James "B52 Smith" against another local stud in Patrick Nwamu and all I can say is - WOW!
This fight will go down in the annals of NYC fight lore as one of the greatest Muay Thai fights ever to take place in NYC. That is not an over statement -you had to be there to witness the drama unfold. Smith was the favorite - not one to back down from a challenge, he has faced the best this city has to offer and withstood the tests.
Not since TSMMA's Will Hamilton has Smith been pushed this close to the brink of being KO'd. Patrick Nwamu a Freemason; came to claim his place among the elite Muay Thai warriors in New York City. Trained by none other than Taimak "The Last Dragon", Nwamu showed a set of skills that had Smith examining the tight weave of the canvas at the end of round one. You can't make this stuff up it was straight out of a cheesy 80's karate flick - no offense to the "Last Dragon" - I was a fan at 13.
Smith was literally saved by the bell in R1, I doubt he would have been able to answer the 10 count and we had the makings of a major upset with the movie star's student as the party spoiler. Great script for a Hollywood flick!!
R2 begins and Nwamu is head hunting; he nails Smith with punching combos that would leave any tough guy on queer street but Smith just keeps coming at him. Smith is active but Nwamu is the stalker and aggressor. I score the first two rounds for Nwamu with a two point lead in R1 for the near finish. Smith also realizes that he is behind on the score card and he shows it in R3 by stepping up his offense and letting Nwamu know that this is his house. R3 is too close to call - flip a coin. The crowd was deafening by now and there seemed to be a shift in the flow of the battle in R4. Smith regained his confidence and now stood toe to toe with Nwamu trading heavy blows until the bell rings, the crowd roared!!
By now everyone is standing (damn those 150 dollar seats!!) and the action in R5 was straight out of a Rocky flick; Smith nails Nwamu he is rocked, Nwamu counters and nails Smith, he is wobbled. Back and forth the action went every blow draws a sound effect from the crowd it was ooh's and aah's as these two warriors went toe to toe until the very end of R6 and by now it was clear that Smith had won the later rounds. The energy in the Capitale was nervous as the fighters waited for the WKA judges to announce their official decision - I would hate to be in their place as the third and fourth rounds would be the deciding factors but they were so damn close!!
"...56-55 Smith, 56-55 Nwamu, 56-55... ... ...for the winner coming out of the blue corner and the new WKA 205lb CHAMPION... ... ... JAMES "B52" SMITH!!!"
Just an unbelievable fight between two top tier guys, props to both warriors for fighting that hard; Can anyone say - rematch???
Other Highlights of the night include:
The knock out of the night goes to Longo Competition team heavy hitter Evil Joe Diable who put Julio Flores flat on his face with one perfectly timed right hook-if you blinked you missed it.
The evolution of TSMMA's Jim Rivera who has practically grown up in the ring these past few years. He showed what it takes to be a champion - true dedication and hands made of lead.
The battle between Neglia Competition Team's Andrea DeAngelo & TSMMA fighter Katlyn Chookagian who also waged war for three round with DeAngelo securing the East Coast 123lb women's title!
Full results
Men's Muay Thai 135lb Limit
Tom Desmond (Eternal Martial Arts) V. Julian Hanshuh (Black & Blue MMA)
Winner: Desmond via Unanimous decision after 3rds - great fight.
Men's International Rules Kickboxing 169 - 174lb.
James DeSantis (Neglia Competition Team) V. Howard Wang (Black Thaiger Academy)
Winner: DeSantis wins via unanimous decision after 3Rds. Another slug fest.
Men's Muay Thai 255lb. Limit
Marcos Taylor (Jersey Fight Club) V. Frank Spano (Longo Competition Team)
Winner: Taylor wins via Unanimous decision after 3Rds.
Men's Muay Thai 155lb.
Steve Regman (TSMMA) V. Andy Bolevice (Black & Blue MMA)
Winner: Regman wins via unanimous decision after 3Rds.
Men's Muay Thai 155lb. Limit
Jim Smith Jr. (Black Thaiger Academy) V. Rich Bertol (Jersey Fight Club)
Winner: Bertol wins via KO at 1:15 of R1 - Smith Jr. has big shoes to fill but lots of time to grow in to them.
Men's Muay Thai 165lb. Limit
Chuck Cho (Black Thaiger Academy) V. Naim Nehmedovic (Ardon's Sweet Science)
Winner: Nehmedovic wins via split decision after 3rds.
International Rules Kickboxing 190lb. Limit
Rueben Jean (Neglia Competition Team) V. Tito Flores (Ardon's Sweet Science)
Winner: Jean wins via TKO R2 - Corner threw in the towel - a one sided drubbing.
East Coast International Rules Women's Kickboxing Championship 123lb.
Andrea DeAngelo (Neglia Competition Team) V. Katlyn Chookagian (TSMMA)
Winner: DeAngelo wins via unanimous decision - DeAngelo is the new Champion!
Men's Kickboxing 170-175lb.
Ozzy Duguludgov (K Dojo) V. Ed Unkel (Cambell's Kickboxing)
Winner: Bout ruled a draw after three round - The Amityville Horror of a decision - I had Unkel ahead in two of the three rounds. A Rematch is in order.
Men's Muay Thai 155lb Limit
Evil Joe Diable (Longo Competition Team) V. Tony Flores (Ardon's Sweet Science)
Winner: Diable via KO at :18 of R2 - an "Evil" Knock out !!
East Coast Muay Thai Men's 145lb. Championship
Jim Rivera (TSMMA) V. Colin Tebo (Wai-Kru)
Winner: Rivera wins via unanimous decision - Rivera is the new East Coast Champ at 145lbs. - great fight.
Main Event - US Men's 205lb. Kickboxing Championship - 6 rounds
James "B-52" Smith (Black Thaiger Academy) V. Patrick Nwamu, Jr. (NYC)
Winner: Smith wins via Split decision after 6 incredible rounds of face smashing action.
Smith captures the WKA 205lb. US Men's Title
Another steaming plate of beat downs from promoter Louis Neglia!! This is the place to be in NYC for your Friday night fights!!!
Visit www.louneglia.com & www.ringofcombat.com for future Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts shows in the Tri-State & NY area.
Article, Interviews and Photos by
Eric "The Rolling Reporter" Joza
|
