Muay Thai/Kickboxing at Pala Casino, Saturday, October 2nd
Muay Thai, also known as the art of eight limbs, allows fighters to utilize their hands, elbows, knees and shins to bring down their opponent. Many purists of the combat sports believe it is the fastest-growing and biggest adrenaline-rush striking sport.
On October 2nd, 2010, you could go and see ten professional and two amateur Muay Thai/Kickboxig bouts featuring fighters from all over the world at the Pala Casino Spa & Resort. The show is to feature a Light Heavyweight Muay Thai fighter going up against an MMA fighter in a five-round bout; Denis “The Pirate” Grachev of San Diego via Chaykovsky, Perm Krai, Russia will face Fernando Gonzalez of nearby Temecula, Calif.
Back on August 27, 2009, Denis Grachev was congratulated by Hall of Fame boxing referee Pat Russell after he defeated Carlos Ibarra at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in San Diego.
Grachev, an IKF (International Kickboxing Federation) World Light Heavyweight Champ and former European champion, has a professional Muay Thai record of 15 wins, nine of them by way of knockout, and two losses. His last memorable fight was against Joe Schilling of Los Angeles, which ended after Schilling was knocked out. Grachev also holds a perfect boxing record of eight wins and zero losses.
His opponent, Fernando “The Menifee Maniac” Gonzalez, not known as a Muay Thai fighter is a popular MMA fighter, who has fought in King of the Cage and WEC promotions. His MMA record stands at 17 wins and eight losses.
One of the most decorated fighters, Romie Adanza will defend his IKKC MuayThai International Super Bantamweight title against Haigang Huang of China. Adanza is coming off of a win against Andy Howson of Great Britain, which brought his record to seven wins and two losses. Adanza will square off against the Chinese National Muay Thai Champion, Haigang Huang, who is also a part of the Chinese National Muay Thai team. His pro record stands at 26 wins and 12 losses.
Also featured are contests between:
Byoung-Ku Park (Korea) vs Justin Greskiewicz for the IKKC Muay Thai
International Super Lightweight Title.
Jack Thames (Las Vegas) is going up against Eric Utsch (Allentown, Penna.) in a WBC Muay Thai Super Middleweight Bout.
Joey Pagliuso (Riverside, Calif.) will take on Sean Dizay (Las Vegas, Nev.) in a IKKC Muay Thai Welterweight Bout.
Luis Bio (Ensenada, Mexico) takes on Kenny Finister (San Bernardino, CA.) in an IKKC Muay Thai Middleweight Bout.
Woo-Yeon Park (Korea) faces Celeste Navarro (Mexico) in a WBC Muay Thai Bantamweight Superfight.
Two additional bouts feature well-known amateurs:
Dave Nielsen (owner of American Boxing on Garnet Avenue, (Pacific Beach) San Diego, Calif.) takes on Frank Bamford (Orange County, Calif.) in an IAMTF Cruiserweight Superfight.
Tiffany Van Soest (center) flashes her million dollar smile after defeating Malia Spanyol at the Battle of the Champions Muay Thai Championships at the Four Points by Sheraton on Friday, November 20, 2009.
Tiffany van Soest (a crowd favorite from Encinitas, Calif.) will face Tandi Schaffer (Salt Lake City, Utah) fighting for an IAMTF US Super Featherweight Title.
All bouts are subject to change. Fights start at 7 p.m. Tickets, priced at $40 and $100 for ringside, are on sale at the Pala Privileges Center in the casino, or call 1-877-WIN PALA (1-877-946-7252) or 877-446-7962. Attendees must be at least 21 years old.
WCK Muay Thai was founded in 1989, by Dennis Warner and In Sync Productions. It is based in Southern California and is the largest Muay Thai sports entertainment event in North America. The championships are held in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Beijing and other cities and feature the top fighters from the U.S., China, Japan, Thailand, Netherlands, South Africa, Korea, England and Australia, including such champions as Yodsenklai Fairtex, Steve McKinnen, Lamsongkram Chuwattana, John Wayne Parr, Craig Buchanan, Christine Toledo, Romie Adanza, Kevin Ross, Jeri Sitzes and Malaipet. For more information about WCK MuayThai, visit www.wckmuaythai.com.
