Comments on: Goodbye to Smokers?

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:02:26 +0000

Has anybody heard any latest news on smokers?

By: hmmm

hmmm — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:58:00 +0000

how the hell is one suppose to get on a fight team, because fighting amaturely in california is illegal too…. WTF?

By: Ernesto

Ernesto — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 20:25:59 +0000

I would agree wearing pads for smokers just for liability sake for the hosting gym.

By: Stack

Stack — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:51:51 +0000

I’ve never worn pads including smokers.

By: Ernesto

Ernesto — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:10:57 +0000

Stack: At all smokers ive been to here in the SF Bay Area everyone was required to wear pads. As far as amateur bouts, it really depends on the promoter and fighter because I’ve seen them with both people wearing head gear or without.

By: Stack

Stack — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:50:25 +0000

Really? During my time fighting amateur I have never worn pads of any kind.

By: Littleman

Littleman — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:15:27 +0000

hey guys,

I hope that they do crack down alittle bit and get the fights to become more regulated and fair… There’s way too much room for things to go in the wrong hands. Here’s an example, at one ” event” i attended a promoter literally erased one fighters name and put in his fighter. Just shows that there’s alot of corruption and greedy business men pretending to be promoters.. I dont know if things are that blatant in California, but around here on the east coast, its not up to par with Calfornia. I hope my state decides to take an interest.

By: Doug

Doug — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:59:40 +0000

What’s really screwed it that the commission has always treated amateur kickboxing as “unpaid” professional fights. This really has been a diservice to the paying public who think they are seeing pro fights. Sanctioned events feature first time fighters without shinguards or headgear. Most of these beginners fight pretty sloppy fights and get injured in the process. With smoker bouts, larger gloves are featured as well as headgear and shinguards. Fighters can get some good experience and then jump into the sanctioned fights and put on a better show and protect themselves in the process. Since the commission is self-funded, it is in their best interest to sanction as many fights as possible and get their share of ticket revenue. They greatly add to the public’s confusion by allowing these events to take place.

By: Stack

Stack — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:13:59 +0000

The issue can be avoided one way: don’t charge.

It’s not uncommon BTW for rival gyms to try to ‘rat’ each other out.

By: Doug

Doug — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:47:26 +0000

I think a large part of the commission cracking down on the gyms was due to the fact that some were charging up to $25.00 admission. Also, State law dictates that the commission is supposed to oversee all amateur kickboxing events. This includes licensing, officials, medical, insurance, etc. It is quite costly to stage an amateur event in California to say the least. As stated above, because of a few greedy gyms, everyone is now paying the price. A few months back, my gym was shut down by the commission when we were ratted out by a rival gym. To make matters worse, this gym just staged a smoker this month, and weren’t shut down. This is strange, considering that the commission was “informed” of this illegal event. I’m really curious as to why this wasn’t shut down. I’m in the process of contacting the commission about this and will let you guys know if I get a response.

By: nouk

nouk — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:24:34 +0000

which gyms nae? everyone seems to be charging something to recover costs. seems fair to me. nothing comes free. nobody wants to work for free – do you?

you guys should check out LA. i think they formed a nonprofit organization with a bunch of schools participating. then these schools fight each other in a “tournament” or something. sort of like karate and tkd. i think all the heads of every gym should get together and do this for the sport.

By: Ernesto

Ernesto — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:46:11 +0000

If we could some how organize sparring for every first and third Saturday in the afternoon and rotate the location/venue every time. That would be great. That would be a better way to tighten the Muay Thai community as well. At least until we can figure out the whole promoters license situation