I initially blogged about this fight about a month ago, the PPV was finally aired this past weekend. As always big thanks to Stephen for the upload.
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So long story short, the Bay Area Muay Thai scene is great for a city of our size. There are two local fighters Michael Mananquil and Ra Karma Young, both are up and coming fighters for their respective camps. This was for an International Title, but I honestly I think the bragging rights were what these two really cared about.
On a side note, the guy in Young’s corner is Muay Thai Legend, Jongsanan Fairtex. For those of you who are new to Muay Thai, or new to MyMuayThai and don’t know who Jongsanan is. I recommend that you watch this. It’s an epic fight between Jongsanan and Sakmongkol.
October 10, 2007 at 3:05 am
really nice part where young gave mananquil some free shots. but you can see that mananquil isnt using his hips or legs in his punches the entire fight, if he wouldve learned how he wouldve K him TFO.
+1
quality MT
October 10, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Ra seems to have the technical skills to be the better fighter, but he was fighting too emotionally, letting manaquil get in all those free shots. Mananquil may not have been the stronger fighter but he fought better. Ra didn’t use any elbows, and even though his kicks were better he hardly used them. He seemed to want to box and show off more than he wanted to be in a muay thai fight.
October 10, 2007 at 1:17 pm
So, what’s the updated news on Contender Asia?
October 10, 2007 at 3:03 pm
ra’s biggest mistake was making it too personal in the ring and showboating. I was there when he called out Mike at fight and fitness’s smoker bringing up the hype of the fight. when ra called out mike in public he put the pressure on himself to win. and not just win…but beat mananquil down. everyone was telling me that mananquil was duckin ra and afraid to fight him so i’m thinking, damn ra is gonna kill this guy. so u better believe when i saw the match finally after 2 years of hype, i was disappointed.
me personally, i was rooting for ra and i was hoping he’d bring light to the fairtex/team usa rivalry. but after this, he deserved to lose. i didn’t really care for team usa fighters until this win. mananquil and team usa, regardless if i care for the team or not, gots to get respect
October 10, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Man, man, man…..Bunzy…..I’m, not sure if you’ve noticed but there’s a section on this website solely devoted to “Muay Thai Contender Asia”. It’s the second link on the navigation bar.
October 10, 2007 at 4:40 pm
It was a good fight. Ra looked relatively relaxed- Mannequil just did more- even if all the strikes didn’t do too much.
December 10, 2007 at 12:52 am
mike was way more tired thats all i have to say