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 News from Around Banderas Bay | February 2006 
Jose "Rayo" Uribe Wins King of the Ring
 Bob Cohen - PVNN
| | Traditional pre-fight Thai ritual, prior to the fight. | 
| | Six-year-olds Ricardo "Boon" Hernandez and Gabriel Garcia with their managers and teachers after their bout. | 
| | Pedro Joya with Carlos Solorio after winning an action-filled bout. | 
| | Some action in an amateur fight. |
Puerto Vallarta - As the bell rang in the first round of the main event, both Jose Uribe of Tanai Luark Gym in Vallarta and Jorge Estrada of Lanna Gym attacked each other with action so rapid that it was hard to count the blows exchanged in the opening seconds. But the fight, which by all appearances had the makings of an action-packed bout, suddenly ended in the first 30 seconds as a hard kick by Uribe landed hard on the head of Estrada, dropping him to the canvas.
As Estrada lay in a neutral corner, the shocked crowd looked on as trainers and doctors jumped into the ring to assist the fighter, who was flat on his back, barely conscious. As his managers and corner-men pulled of his gloves, Dra. Valeria Lizaola rushed to the fighter's side and tended him, until finally Jorge was able to walk out of the ring on his own. Word from the locker room was that after the main event Estrada was fine, to the relief of all.
It was a sudden and shocking ending to the 13 bout fight card that featured nine amateur battles followed by four professional bouts. The display of skill, ability and competitiveness that started with the opening bout at the capacity filled Collage Club delighted fight fans throughout the entire four-hour event.
The busiest person of the night wasn't even fighting. Muy Thai Professional and Maestro of Lanna Gym, Carlos Solorio, who promoted the event, was in the corner for all 13 bouts as his Lanna Gym fighters took on competitors representing gyms from all around Puerto Vallarta in the amazingly popular local phenomenon, Muy Thai boxing.
Puerto Vallarta is home to a number of World Champions and National Muy Thai Champions of Mexico, including Santiago "Dragon" Manzanarez, whose fighters were 3-0 in competition Saturday night, and Olaf Alfonso. New to Puerto Vallarta, Alfonso is the World Champion of Mixed Martial Arts and has had battles broadcast live from Las Vegas on pay-per-view television.
On the professional under card, Ernesto "Finito" Valdez of Lanna Gym defeated Antonio "Finito" Alvarado of KML Pinsinchai Irapuato in a five round decision. Elder "Thai" Huerta of Lanna Gym defeated Hector "Hierro" Uribe of Tanai Luark Vallarta in a five round decision as well. The first professional bout saw Gregorio "Dragonsito" Gabriel of Round Dragon Manzanarez Gym score a 4th round knockout of tough Jhonatan "Pelon" Carbajal of Lanna Gym.
A much anticipated fight between two local six-year-olds delighted the crowd in their two-round fight. Both Ricardo "Boon" Hernandez of Lanna Gym and Gabriel Garcia of Tanai Luark Gym showed amazing skill and ring knowledge, punching and kicking until the final bell sounded - with both declared winners.
Many who are unfamiliar with Muy Thai fighting might see this as a brutal sport, but in this reporter's opinion, [which is shared by many others,] this sport requires discipline, honor and sportsmanship, as well as tremendous athletic ability. The ring referee is extremely knowledgeable and is very aware that if there is a potential for injury, that he must step in and stop the bout. Amateurs are well protected, wearing headgear as well as elbow and shin gear. Only the professionals are permitted to fight without this equipment.
Overall, Lanna Gym walked away with nine wins, losing only four fights. Round Dragon Manzanarez Gym was 3-0 [as previously mentioned,] and Tanai Luark Gym was 2-1.
Among the amateur winners were: Alfredo Chavez, Jose Flores, Carlos Villaseñor, Diego Crispin, Josué Rueleas, Eduardo Rodriguez, Pablo Gamez, Hugo Solorio and Pedro Joya. Congratulations to all the competitors and to Carlos, who organized the entertaining event. |
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