If you had the opportunity to attend the WCK Muay Thai event at Buffalo Bill's this past weekend then you were treated to some great fights, if not then you missed out. One of the nights stars was Stephen Richards who fought Shawn Yarborough.
Richards and Yarborough met in a championship bout for the IKKC International Light Heavyweight Title. Richards and Yarborough had met before with Richards taking home a unanimous decision. Many people thought this fight would be different, the previous fight had been an amateur fight but since turning pro, Yarborough had been on a tear.
Richards knew that the previous win was in the past and that he needed to be prepared for everything, Yarborough is a very dangerous fighter and from the start of the fight Richards goal was to pressure Yarborough from start to finish and not let him get settled.
"Well it is always something new when it comes to Shawn I just had to prepare for any and everything." Richards said. "My plan was to prevent him from using his right leg because his kicks are so strong and keep some pressure not let him know whats coming."
Richards was able to implement his game plan perfectly as he kept the champion at bay mixing in punches, kicks, and the clinch to keep him off balance, but as the fight wore on and victory seemed like it would be his a major obstacle presented itself. Richards was not kidding when he said one of his goals was to keep Yarborough from using his right leg, Yarbrough connected with a right kick near the end of the third round that broke Richards left arm.
"Well I took a shot at the end of the 3rd I heard a snap thought it was his leg but I knew it was my arm, my injury will have me in rehab for the next 4 months." said Richards.
Richards now had three problems he had to face. The first is was if he would be able to continue, but being the warrior he is Richards didn't think about quitting he dug deep and kept on fighting, the second obstacle was that if the referee noticed the injury the bout could be stopped, and the third issue was that across the ring was Shawn Yarborough the man who had just broken his arm and could exploit such an injury if he found out Richards arm was broken.
When the fourth round started Richards fought as if everything was fine, you could not tell his arm was broken, he kept pressing, and working the strategy that had been paying off, but as the fifth round started Richards came out with his hand down. At first it looked as if he was taunting Yarborough, and at moments it looked as if he was using some type of Roy Jones boxing stance, and with Richards being a professional boxer as well it did not seem strange. Yarborough came out aggressive in the fifth round sensing he had to finish the fight, but Richards now basically fighting with one arm met him head on, not backing down. It was about midway through the fifth round when everyone watching the fight began to notice Richards arm was broken. Richards was able to finish the fight strong and take home a unanimous decision victory.
Now Richards cant wait to return and face the best fighters out there and defend his title. It could be 4-6 months from now but when that time comes Richards is going to be prepared.
Richards began his Muay Thai training in 1995, and it is what he loves to do. He also became a professional boxer in 2003 but his focus is Muay Thai. Is MMA in the future? According to Richards it has to be the right opportunity.
"Thai boxing is what I love; boxing is what I do to keep my eyes sharp" Richards said. "Hmmmmm wife wont let me (compete in MMA) LOL depends on the right opportunity."
Muay Thai in the United States is very regional, if you live in California or Nevada and you are a casual fan you don't hear much of fighters from other states. Richards, who fights out of Hard Knox Gym in Kennesaw, Georgia made an impression. Much of the California and Nevada crowd at the event, which was hosted in Primm Vally, located on the state line, were cheering for Richards after seeing the effort and determination he put forward.
Julius Caesar stated in 47 BC as a comment on his short war with Pharnaces II of Pontus in the city of Zela, "Veni, Vidi, Vici" which means, I came, I saw, I conquered. Stephen Richards fought a spectacular fight and showed his heart by fighting through his injury. You can't exactly quote Julius Caesar when it comes to Richards performance because he did not just see, a more fitting phrase could be, "he came, he fought, he conquered."
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