Joesph Valtellini -
"After reading Chaz’s comments the other day I feel that I should respond to give my point of view.
I do respect Chaz’s opinion as he certainly has a right to them, I also have a right to disagree which I strongly do. As a Canadian Muay Thai Athlete I have fought with elbows before and I have also fought in New York against some tough opponents.
I can honestly say that the scene in New York is extremely competitive and the events and athletes are top notch. While no-elbows are an issue the promoters and athletes don’t have much say in this matter and must work within the rules. The athletes competing in New York are diverse and opportunities are given to athletes from not only North America but around the world to compete.
I myself feel that East vs. West is kind of a pointless argument. Yes I do compete in New York because Justin Blair is very receptive to bringing in fighters from everywhere to compete on his shows. That being said, I would welcome the opportunity to compete against anyone in the west as I love Muay Thai and appreciate the opportunity to showcase my skills anywhere.
If a promoter from LA or Vegas offered me a match I would defiantely not hesitate and I certainly feel my skills can match up with anyone.
I Think I speak for the rest of my fellow East Coast athletes (While I am Canadian I do feel as if I am an “East Coast” fighter) when I say that if the opportunities are there we will take them.
At the end of the day these internet “battles” really accomplish little when I think we should be arguing less about which coast is better and concentrating more on creating the best events for our athletes and fans. That’s the true way to grow our great sport."
I do respect Chaz’s opinion as he certainly has a right to them, I also have a right to disagree which I strongly do. As a Canadian Muay Thai Athlete I have fought with elbows before and I have also fought in New York against some tough opponents.
I can honestly say that the scene in New York is extremely competitive and the events and athletes are top notch. While no-elbows are an issue the promoters and athletes don’t have much say in this matter and must work within the rules. The athletes competing in New York are diverse and opportunities are given to athletes from not only North America but around the world to compete.
I myself feel that East vs. West is kind of a pointless argument. Yes I do compete in New York because Justin Blair is very receptive to bringing in fighters from everywhere to compete on his shows. That being said, I would welcome the opportunity to compete against anyone in the west as I love Muay Thai and appreciate the opportunity to showcase my skills anywhere.
If a promoter from LA or Vegas offered me a match I would defiantely not hesitate and I certainly feel my skills can match up with anyone.
I Think I speak for the rest of my fellow East Coast athletes (While I am Canadian I do feel as if I am an “East Coast” fighter) when I say that if the opportunities are there we will take them.
At the end of the day these internet “battles” really accomplish little when I think we should be arguing less about which coast is better and concentrating more on creating the best events for our athletes and fans. That’s the true way to grow our great sport."
Eric Utsch -
"I think he is right about the elbows it should be called Kickboxing. Kickboxing is were all the $$ is. Everybody would love to be in K-1. K-1 is Kickboxing, It's Showtime is Kickboxing, Slamm is Kickboxing, but I don't think that anybody who fights is a pussy it takes balls to fight with any rules. My self I will fight in a cage in a bar in a ring on the steet. It is just what I like to do."
Justin Greskiewicz -
"I definitely understand what Chaz is talking about. But, I think his thinking is fundamentally flawed.
I really do feel that there definitely should be elbows in NY shows. I think that lots of people share this feeling. But, the historical boxing ties in NY have all the power in the state athletic commission. There's no mma in NY, and we'll see full Thai rules Muay Thai come well after that. It won't be any time soon.
Really, most of us who have fought a lot in NY would love the opportunity to fight elsewhere. I jumped at my first opportunity to go out west and fight against Joey Pagliuso on 5 days notice. I didn't think twice about it, but, it was only when someone was injured and a friend who was in the promoter's ear dropped my name as a replacement that I got the chance.
I really do feel that there definitely should be elbows in NY shows. I think that lots of people share this feeling. But, the historical boxing ties in NY have all the power in the state athletic commission. There's no mma in NY, and we'll see full Thai rules Muay Thai come well after that. It won't be any time soon.
Really, most of us who have fought a lot in NY would love the opportunity to fight elsewhere. I jumped at my first opportunity to go out west and fight against Joey Pagliuso on 5 days notice. I didn't think twice about it, but, it was only when someone was injured and a friend who was in the promoter's ear dropped my name as a replacement that I got the chance.
I know some of the bigger names here on the east coast would love to fight out west. (Chris Romulo even asked me if I'd put in a good word with the promoter one time in hopes to make it out there.)
I do think there are lots of guys in the Muay Thai game that get a lot of undeserved attention. These are the "jokes" that I think you're talking about. But honestly, i see them on both coasts.
I'd fight anyone in the country at 140-147, and haven't turned down a fight yet. I fought Kevin Ross last year on 6 days notice, having fought a 5 round banger the friday before with Ben Yelle.
Kevin beat me that night. I could blame it on a million things, but honestly, he deserved that win. He was the better fighter that night. He happens to be from out west, but he's the best there is.
But, I've had a few fighters pull out on me on shows since then. Some were injured, some were "not ready", but most of those guys were from out west.
I agree that some fighters get handed easy opponents, but again, I see that on both coasts. I get frustrated when fighters haven't fought anyone worthwhile in my eyes. My theory is that you won't get any better playing kickball with a bunch of 9 year olds.
If you wanna fight somebody, tell the promoter. Lots of great shows out west that people are dying to get on. Call some of the big names out instead of making it an east/west thing. Feel like you have some pull with promoters as to who you wanna fight.
If chaz really wants to fight somebody from the east, I could recommend a few opponents that I'd like to see matched up with chaz.
If people want to make it an east/west thing...lets do it. Line up the 140 lb kids and see if any of them wanna fight me, I'd love to come back out there."
The consensus amongst Valtellini, Utsch, and Greskiewicz is clear, and that is that New York fighters are tough and skilled, and they don't agree with Mulkey's comments.
Justin fights whenever offered a fight, you don't see that in any combat sport very often, whether it be MMA, Muay Thai, Boxing or even BJJ matches. Chaz needs to do research before making such bold and useless statements. They do nothing to further the sport and only serve to show his inept thought process...
ReplyDeleteDon Mahon