Students Bountong (“Tong”) Syvanthong and Matt Lucas will be fighting at the “World Combat Sports Challenge - STRIKERS”, on Saturday, April 26, at the Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco. 

This will be Tong’s second appearance at WCSC.  Last year he fought a tough but close match, losing by split decision.  Although this will be Matt’s first appearance at the WCSC, he has been very active in the Muay Thai amateur fighting scene for the past year.  Both are going to bring their best to the ring, so support your fellow students and come watch an exciting night of Muay Thai featuring 4 championship bouts. 

Tickets can be purchased at:http://www.virtualboxoffice.com/event.asp?ID=33

SATURDAY, April 26, 2008 

5pm 

Kezar Pavilion San Francisco

Last Saturday, March 8, after regular class sessions, Pacific Ring Sports invited students from Fight and Fitness to practice sparring techniques.  Every student had a chance to spar against someone their own level.  There were several rounds of Muay Thai, Boxing, and MMA, including a great show of female students.  Thanks to the session, there were a lot of students who were able to apply their training since the cancellation of smokers events (see below).  Great work shown by students:  Armando Burrios, Ricky Cheung, Nelson Ma, Derrin Vargas, Diane Payes, Justin Reyes, Violet Slocum, Andrea Schuiterma, David Nwangwu, Shalon Leimpeter, Liz Kim, Michael Sharp, Emmet Gray, Hein Ngueyn, Stefan Voss, Orin Moran, Matt Lucas, Tong Syvanthong, and Daniel Carey.  Thanks to Fight and Fitness for coming over to participate.  We are certain that the practice was just as worth it for their students as it was for ours. 

A Word About “Smokers”

There’s been a lot of controversy the past few months surrounding “smokers” – the sparring matches that take place between Martial Arts schools (specifically Muay Thai, Boxing, and MMA) in

For almost a decade, a small circle of Bay Area gyms had been running these smokers quite successfully, respecting these unwritten rules and with every precaution to protecting the health of the students.  These events were run by former or current fighters or trainers who have a lot of experience in running these types of events.  They are familiar with the fighting scene, rules and precautions to take. 

Unfortunately, it seems as though for the past year or so, lots of newer gyms have been popping up and morphing the smoker into a public spectacle.  They pay little regard to the participants by putting no thought into the match-ups and having almost no rules.  Fees for entrance and participation have gone through the roof – as a way for gyms to make money.  They are highly advertised to the general public as “underground fights” or “blood baths” as ways for gyms to attract people.  This all comes at the cost of the safety and well being of the students and of the gyms that had been running the smoker events without any problem for years.  Not surprisingly, the California Boxing Association has come down hard on schools, closing down many events and slapping the gyms and fighters with fines. 

Smokers are vital to promoting the sport of Muay Thai, Boxing, and MMA.  Gyms, including ours, have a responsibility to come together for a resolution and bring back smokers to their original purpose – simply a way for students to practice sparring techniques without the pressure of winning or losing, and ultimately to promote the arts.   

Students at Pacific Ring Sports work hard and play hard.  We saw the latter displayed at its fullest last Saturday night, Dec 8, at Pacific Ring Sports’ 1st Annual Holiday Party. 

Students, friends and family all came together to enjoy a night of music, dancing, fabulous food, drinks, and just good ol’ fashion holiday fun.  It was a great time to get to know each other outside the gym and sweaty t-shirts (and we must add, people clean up very well - did anyone else have a hard time recognizing people in their street clothes?). 

It was a lso a great time for Pacific Ring Sports to show thanks to the students for their hard work and continued support of the gym.  Thanks to our good friend Mark for letting use his awesome space.  Thanks Shalon and Diane for intiating and ideas.  As always, fabulous job on the food, Sutan!!  Thanks Orin and Ardiana for photos.  Happy Holidays!

 Click here for photos of the event.

Congratulations to all the fighters last Saturday at Pacific Ring Sports’ Smoker!!!! We had a terrific showcase of the Bay Area’s up and comers with 21 action packed fights.  Special thanks to Fight and Fitness, FSA, Universal Martial Arts, Oakland San Shou, Fairtex, and Heritage Gym for training hard and giving us some great fights!!!   Pacific Ring Sports had its best showing of fighters ever, from first-timers to seasoned veterans.  Our fighters fought in 18 of the 21 fights.  All our fighters fought terrifically and made the gym very proud.  With a couple of knockouts and stoppages we were really happy with our crew and can’t wait to see everyone fight again!! 

Congratulations to: Nicolle Rosenberg, D’arte Boyd, Stefan Voss,  Shalon Leimpeter, Diane Payes, Hien Nguyen, Makoto Katsumoto, Adam Schliff, Herschel Lockhart, Jose Villanueva, Michael Au, Emmett Gray, Tong Syvanthong, Orin Moran, Rico Tagliaferri, Robert Knox, Fabian Franco, and Khalid Shakur  for giving us all an exciting day of fights!!! Thanks again to all our participants, gyms, and especially the fans for making it a great day and enabling events like these to continue!!  Click here for photos.

Last Friday night October 19^th Matt Lucas of Pacific Ring Sports fought a great Muay Thai battle at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.  This was Matt’s second amateur fight and he dominated the action throwing kicks, knees, punches and looking for the clinch all while his opponent Fuller Espiritu from World Team USA ran away and refused to stand and fight.  Matt pressed the action all 3 rounds while Fuller danced around the ring counter punching.  Matt had an impressive performance and dominated the fight.  But in the end the judges gave the decision to Fuller Espiritu, which garnered boo’s from the stands.  Matt won the fight, and was ripped off by the decision. However he held his head high knowing that he will fight again very soon. 

Students at Pacific Ring Sports are taking their training up a notch and gettin’ ready for our smoker event Saturday, Oct 27.  The events are always action packed, with fierce competition, and excellent representation from martial arts schools from all over the Bay Area exhibiting their skills in Muay Thai kickboxing, Boxing, and Mixed Martial Arts. This is your chance to cheer on your fellow students, get a glimpse of fight competition, or just hang out and have a good time.   Everyone is welcome.  $5 Donation at the door.Students of all levels are welcome to compete.  

In In order to participate you must weigh-in at 11:30 am sharp.  For match-ups or general information about the event, please call 510-444-5269. 

When:  Saturday, October 27, 2007

Time:  Weigh-in’s 11:30 am / Starts 1:30 pm

Where: 1431 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland, CA 94612

Pacific Ring Sports is now offering ADVANCED Muay Thai classes, Tues & Thurs evenings from 7:15 to 8:15pm.  This class is for those students who have built a strong foundation in the Beginning Classes and are ready to hone their Muay Thai skills (about six months of consistent training).  It is also geared toward people who already have experience under their belts.  Endurance and strength-training will be even more challenging.  Controlled sparring is covered so students must bring their own mouthpieces, 16 oz. gloves, and shin pads.  Classes are not necessarily for people who want to fight.  Rather, it is for people who want to learn Advanced Muay Thai techniques.  BE PREPARED TO WORK!  Sparring and Competitive training classes still remain geared toward fighters.    

What an exciting night it was for students Byron Green and Bountong (“Tong”) Syvanthong  when they fought last Saturday, July 28, in the  World Combat Sports Challenge at the USF War Memorial Gym.  The card features 15 action packed fights including amateur championship title bouts.   

Byron’s bout was easily one of the most exciting fights, knocking out his opponent in the first round.  It was his first amateur fight against David Navrette from Pracht Muay Thai.  We were very anxious to see Byron fight as he has been a dedicated student and one of Pacific’s first fighters - always explosive and exciting to watch in local smokers.  Unfortunately we didn’t get to see too much as his opponent was put down and the fight was stopped around 1:30 into the first round.   Byron hit him with heavy left and right hooks that were just too much for his opponent, and the ref waived off the contest. 

This was also Tong’s amateur event debut.  This was a tough fight and both fighters came out swinging.  The fight was scheduled for three-two minute rounds and went the distance with both fighters looking tired as they gave it all they had.  Tong threw good one-two combinations and push kicks.  He dominated his opponent in the clinch, throwing powerful knee combinations.  Unfortunately Tong lost to a split decision but it was a very close fight and he fought with all heart.  He is a promising fighter, and we look forward to more action from him.  Among our fighters that trained equally hard for this event but were not able to be matched due to circumstanced beyond our control were Matt Lucas and D’arte Boyd.   Thanks to all of our fighers for their hard work and dedication to this fight.  Thanks to the students, friends, and family who supported our fighters and cheered them on that night.  

Congratulations to all our fighters who represented Pacific Ring Sports last Saturday at the Fight and Fitness Smoker event.  We’ve had a big turnout of fighters for all the local events lately and we’re proud to show the Bay Area what we’re made of.  All our fighters fought tough opponents and had impressive fights.  We are proud of all of you!

Matt Lucas fought a much more experienced opponent and wore him down with knees and his constant forward motion.  Bountong “Tong Bok” Syvanthong had an impressive first fight throwing everything he could at his opponent.  Showcasing his kicks, punches, and knees, Tong looked like a pro. Joe Lacap also had his first fight and he was very exciting, pressing the action and putting constant pressure on his opponent.   Emmett Gray looked like a season vet out there, staying calm and throwing punches and devastating kicks to stop his opponent in the second round. Violett Slocum, the lone woman of the group, also had an impressive first fight against a much taller opponent.  Violett let the girl gas out, and then threw some heavy leg kicks to end the fight.  Her opponent must have had a hard time walking the next day!! Moises Gomez had a tough first fight against a taller opponent.  He went out there and threw everything he had.  He demonstrated a big heart and good technique.  Arnold Lirio also had a tough first boxing fight against a more experienced opponent.  He looked great, using his forward attack and constant barrage of punches to keep his opponent on the defense.  Mike Wong weighed in but was unable to get a fight.  Congratulations to all our fighters.   We are proud of all of you for fighting with your heart and dedication.  Thanks for representing Pacific Ring Sports and the 510 Fight Team!!!!!!