TKO in Las Vegas

July 25, 2009
Las Vegas Hilton


For 20 years, the World Championship Kickboxing has been a prestigious organization in the Muay Thai community across the world. Dennis Warner, the founder of the WCK, has created some of the most renowned shows in this rising sport.

Warner, has held World Championships all over the world under his promotion company, In Sync Productions Inc., and has brought the most international fighters to North America than any other American Muay Thai organization. Warner holds an event every month, holding a promising fight card to satisfy fans at each match.

For the WCK's 89th production, Redland’s Jared Lara, defeated Vaughn Lucas for the WBC Muay Thai National Title as well as the US Middlewieght Title at the World Championship Muay Thai in the Las Vegas Hilton on July 25.

Lara and Vaughn went five, three-minute rounds, until Lara ended up on top with his endurance clearly defeating Vaughn’s. Lara's win was a unanimous decision. This was the first bout of the evening; Lara wore his Title proudly and set the packed Hilton show off with high expectations from the crowd.

Baxter Humby, (35-5) from Los Angeles gave a great performance, as he defeated Chike Lindsay in the Welterwieght bout. Humby, who was born without his right arm, put on a great fight and took the win with split decision. After his victory, Humby addressed the audience and said, “The only limits that you have are the ones that you put on yourself.”



Also on the fight card was Thailand’s superstar, Malaipet, (138-28-5) who went head to head with England’s cup of tea, Rich Fenwick (28-8-1) to take Fenwick’s WBC International Super welterweight title, which Fenwick earned by defeating Malaipet in a close point decision earlier this year.

The Thailand native came out on top this time, sweeping Fenwick’s title from him and making the bout an unforgettable match. The crowd could see the smile on Malaipet’s face as he threw each punch at his opponent. With a unanimous decision, it was a sweet victory for Malaipet and his fans and was a great ending to the memorable evening.

Randy Couture and son, Ryan, made it out to the Las Vegas event as well, adding to the excitement of the night. Warner put on an unforgettable show and is holding his next event in Las Vegas as well on August 30.

Full Results: (from The Las Vegas Sun by Hepi Mita)

Malaipet def. Richard Fenwick via unanimous decision — WBC Muay Thai Super Welterweight International Championship.

Kevin Ross def. Justin Greskiewicz via TKO (head kick) Round 3, 1:49 — WBC Muay Thai US Welterweight Championship.

Jeri Sitzes def. Christine Toledo via unanimous decision.

Romie Adanza def. Paulo Da Silva via TKO (leg kicks), Round 4, 0:26 — IKKC International Championship, WBC Muay Thai Bantamweight US Championship.

Baxter Humby def. Chike Lindsay via split decision.

Scotty Leffler def. Shane Oblonsky via KO (knee to the head), Round 1, 2:23.

Jared Lara def. Vaughn Luca via unanimous decision — WBC Muay Thai US Middleweight Championship

Muay Thai Sweeps the Inland Empire

Muay Thai Sweeps the Inland Empire (version of the Press Enterprise article that I wrote for June 13, 2009)
by Breanna Armstrong

Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand that has been practiced since 1702. This form of martial arts consists of two fighters using punches or kicks of the shins, elbows, hands, feet, and knees to defeat the competitor.

This ancient sport is a stand-up game that sets the foundation for Mixed Martial Arts. It is a sport based on technique and core principals. Muay Thai is practiced all over the world, and is becoming a popular sport in the United States.

For 20 years, the World Championship Kickboxing has held Muay Thai competitions internationally, bringing in the best Muay Thai fighters from across the world to its shows.

The World Championship of Muay Thai, is the WCK’s 88th fight, which takes place at the Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood on June 13.

With an impressive fight card, bringing in several international athletes, this display of Championship level Muay Thai will be one of the most highly anticipated shows that the WCK has ever hosted.

On the fight card are two of the Inland Empire’s toughest competitors, Sheila Telliard(1-1) and Michelle Percival (3-0). The duo trains out of United States Karate Organization in Riverside, with a dedication to the competitive side of Muay Thai.

Telliard, who went to Colton High School, has been training out of the Riverside gym for eight years, “My son started taking karate at USKO, and so I became a Karate mom. And then I got involved and started teaching classes and jumped right into fighting.” said Telliard.

“I started kick boxing ten years ago and I loved it from the first moment. I have been training at USKO for five years and it has taught me the focus of Muay Thai.” said Percival, who graduated from Notre Dame High School.

Telliard and Percival have been training together for the World Championship Muay Thai fight, and will be the two most anticipated female fights of the WCK show. “These two fighters get a lot of respect around our gym. Most of the guys here will not even get into the ring with the ladies, because they are such fierce competitors.” said Joey Pagliuso, owner of USKO and trainer to the ladies.

They spare together, train together and condition together which has not only helped them prepare for Saturday’s fight, but has also been a major support to both ladies who will be representing the Inland Empire in the World Championship of Muay Thai.

“My number one support through this training process has been my training partner, Michelle. It is so pushed that this is an individual sport, but through my trainers and training partner, to me it has become a team sport. I feel good about this fight, I am ready,” said Telliard.

• Results: Sheila Telliard took out her opponent, Anna Danielyan, in the first round. Telliard took the win and gave an incredible performance.
• Percival's opponent, Maria Morales, backed out of the fight after Friday night's weigh-ins. Percival, as well as the USKO team were recognized in the ring after Sheila's victory.
• Over 2,000 in attendance at the Hollywood Park Casino on Saturday June 13, 2009.