There are many great amateur fighters in North America, many posses skills that are on par with what is needed to compete at the pro level. We would like to introduce to you a segment we call "The Jump" in which we will highlight five fighters at a time that we feel are ready to make the transition from the amateur to the pro circuit. In the first segment of "The Jump" we feature two fighters based out of Los Angeles, two Canadian stand outs and one from New Jersey. If you would like to express your opinion on fighters you feel are ready for "The Jump" feel free to shoot us an e-mail to mailbag@MuayThaiAuthority.com.
David Huerta (12-1)
Huerta posses some of the best pure boxing you are likely to see in Muay Thai, but his all around game is very solid. Training out of Team Zarate in East Los Angeles under George Zarate, Huerta is constantly looking to improve his skills. The only blemish on his amateur sanctioned record came due to a freak accident his last fight against Mario Martinez, a bout which he was winning. Huerta has held of on the jump to the pro level despite feeling ready to contend with the American pro fighters in his weight class. When asked as to why he has held off he responded, "I want my trainer and manager to be happy with my performance and tell me it's time to make the move."
When the time comes, Huerta will likely enter the pro ranks with a splash. An exciting fighter from start to finish Huerta is sure to present problems for anyone in North America in the super featherweight division. It might be a big statement as of now, but Huerta could easily be for Mexican fans of Muay Thai what fighters like Oscar De La Hoya and Cain Velasquez are for Mexican boxing fans or Mexican UFC fans respectively.
Troy Sheridan (14-1)
Sheridan recently made it to the finals of the Friday Night Fights eight man tournament where he suffered the first defeat of his amateur career. Despite the minor set back Sheridan has proven that he is ready to make the jump. One night tournaments are dangerous for anyone involved and anything can happen in them. Sheridan who trains at Team Ultimate in Toronto, Canada with Joseph Valtellini under Paul Minhas feels he is ready to go pro and is currently just awaiting the proper offer.
Sheridan feels that you feel it for yourself when it is time to turn pro, but you need your coaches and team to agree with you. Turning pro he feels will allow him to showcase his skills more due to the fact that he able to use his full arsenal of techniques.
"I'm really excited to turn pro, I think you'll see a lot more out of me as a pro because my team is known for finishing (Joseph Valtellini's 4 out of 4 KO's as a pro) and having the longer rounds and some extra allowed techniques will give me more opportunities to do that." said Sheridan. "Sometimes 2 minute rounds can give the guy an easier time to survive until the bell."
Josh Fitzsimmons (21-8)
Fitzsimmons is coming off an impressive performance at the Friday Night Fights eight man tournament. Winning a one night tournament against a quality field of opponents is one thing, but winning it in the stunning fashion Fitzsimmons did is making a statement. Already compiling nearly 30 fights as an amateur Fitzsimmons has one mission when he enters the ring and that is to destroy his opponents. Bad intentions are written all over the strikes Fitzsimmons throws and it would be hard to find someone who throws a more vicious uppercut.
Fitzsimmons feels he is nearing his time to turn pro as his original plan with his coach was to get around 30-35 amateur fights before making the jump. With 29 bouts under his belt the time is rapidly approaching and Fitzsimmons feels that having a good amount of amateur fights under his belt will help him in the transition to the professional ranks.
"I feel there is a lot to be said about fighters that are "ring savvy", and ring experience is the only way to get there. I have 29 fights now, so I can see making the step to the pro stage pretty soon" said Fitzsimmons. "I just wish Ontario would hurry up and legalize pro Muay Thai here so I don't have to travel so far. In the end each fighter is different and I believe it is something you have to know you're ready for and not something you can be told."
Glen Spencer (25-6)
Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina Glenn Spencer relocated to Los Angeles, California to continue to pursue Muay Thai. When relocating to Los Angeles he joined Sityodtong and continued his training under Kru Walter Michalowski. Since starting his training under Kru Walter Spencer has gone 13-1 and feels he is now ready to enter the pro ranks. He is currently scheduled to fight at Stand Up Promotions "M1 Grand Muay Thai Championship" event on August 14th in what is likely to be his last fight as an amateur.
The reason Spencer has not made the jump to the pro ranks yet is more out of necessity than desire. As we all know there isn't big dollars awaiting you on the other side. When asked as to why he had not made the jump yet despite feeling ready Spence replied with a laugh, "Easy, child support. I had to get a real job." That real job was driving delivery trucks across the country so the plans of turning pro sooner were momentarily put on the back burner.
The always charismatic Spencer might be funny guy outside the ring, but he is not someone you want standing across from you in the ring. Now that it seems everything is in line for him to make the transition expect to see big things from him in the light heavyweight division.
Liam Tarrant (16-3)
Tarrant come from one of the most authentic Muay Thai schools you can find in North America, North Jersey Muay Thai in Lodi, NJ. Two injuries slowed Tarrant down as he worked in ascending through the amateur ranks. The USMTA national champion and WKA North American champion at 155 lbs has seen many of his fellow competitors make the jump to the pro ranks, but Tarrant feels no pressure to make the transition.
"Although many people whom I started fighting with have already turned professional, my trainers felt that it was important to focus on the quality of my Muay Thai until we knew it was time to make the jump." said Tarrant.
Tarrant places his full trust in his trainers (Kru Joe Bumanlag and Kru Ray Cruz) to decide when it is time for him to make the move. Taking a look at his former colleague's in the amateur ranks, he feels some made decision to turn pro to soon and have suffered in their first few fights because of this. Tarrant is in no hurry as he wants to "represent properly" for his gym and the sport.
Huerta posses some of the best pure boxing you are likely to see in Muay Thai, but his all around game is very solid. Training out of Team Zarate in East Los Angeles under George Zarate, Huerta is constantly looking to improve his skills. The only blemish on his amateur sanctioned record came due to a freak accident his last fight against Mario Martinez, a bout which he was winning. Huerta has held of on the jump to the pro level despite feeling ready to contend with the American pro fighters in his weight class. When asked as to why he has held off he responded, "I want my trainer and manager to be happy with my performance and tell me it's time to make the move."
When the time comes, Huerta will likely enter the pro ranks with a splash. An exciting fighter from start to finish Huerta is sure to present problems for anyone in North America in the super featherweight division. It might be a big statement as of now, but Huerta could easily be for Mexican fans of Muay Thai what fighters like Oscar De La Hoya and Cain Velasquez are for Mexican boxing fans or Mexican UFC fans respectively.
Sheridan recently made it to the finals of the Friday Night Fights eight man tournament where he suffered the first defeat of his amateur career. Despite the minor set back Sheridan has proven that he is ready to make the jump. One night tournaments are dangerous for anyone involved and anything can happen in them. Sheridan who trains at Team Ultimate in Toronto, Canada with Joseph Valtellini under Paul Minhas feels he is ready to go pro and is currently just awaiting the proper offer.
Sheridan feels that you feel it for yourself when it is time to turn pro, but you need your coaches and team to agree with you. Turning pro he feels will allow him to showcase his skills more due to the fact that he able to use his full arsenal of techniques.
"I'm really excited to turn pro, I think you'll see a lot more out of me as a pro because my team is known for finishing (Joseph Valtellini's 4 out of 4 KO's as a pro) and having the longer rounds and some extra allowed techniques will give me more opportunities to do that." said Sheridan. "Sometimes 2 minute rounds can give the guy an easier time to survive until the bell."
Fitzsimmons is coming off an impressive performance at the Friday Night Fights eight man tournament. Winning a one night tournament against a quality field of opponents is one thing, but winning it in the stunning fashion Fitzsimmons did is making a statement. Already compiling nearly 30 fights as an amateur Fitzsimmons has one mission when he enters the ring and that is to destroy his opponents. Bad intentions are written all over the strikes Fitzsimmons throws and it would be hard to find someone who throws a more vicious uppercut.
Fitzsimmons feels he is nearing his time to turn pro as his original plan with his coach was to get around 30-35 amateur fights before making the jump. With 29 bouts under his belt the time is rapidly approaching and Fitzsimmons feels that having a good amount of amateur fights under his belt will help him in the transition to the professional ranks.
"I feel there is a lot to be said about fighters that are "ring savvy", and ring experience is the only way to get there. I have 29 fights now, so I can see making the step to the pro stage pretty soon" said Fitzsimmons. "I just wish Ontario would hurry up and legalize pro Muay Thai here so I don't have to travel so far. In the end each fighter is different and I believe it is something you have to know you're ready for and not something you can be told."
Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina Glenn Spencer relocated to Los Angeles, California to continue to pursue Muay Thai. When relocating to Los Angeles he joined Sityodtong and continued his training under Kru Walter Michalowski. Since starting his training under Kru Walter Spencer has gone 13-1 and feels he is now ready to enter the pro ranks. He is currently scheduled to fight at Stand Up Promotions "M1 Grand Muay Thai Championship" event on August 14th in what is likely to be his last fight as an amateur.
The reason Spencer has not made the jump to the pro ranks yet is more out of necessity than desire. As we all know there isn't big dollars awaiting you on the other side. When asked as to why he had not made the jump yet despite feeling ready Spence replied with a laugh, "Easy, child support. I had to get a real job." That real job was driving delivery trucks across the country so the plans of turning pro sooner were momentarily put on the back burner.
The always charismatic Spencer might be funny guy outside the ring, but he is not someone you want standing across from you in the ring. Now that it seems everything is in line for him to make the transition expect to see big things from him in the light heavyweight division.
Tarrant come from one of the most authentic Muay Thai schools you can find in North America, North Jersey Muay Thai in Lodi, NJ. Two injuries slowed Tarrant down as he worked in ascending through the amateur ranks. The USMTA national champion and WKA North American champion at 155 lbs has seen many of his fellow competitors make the jump to the pro ranks, but Tarrant feels no pressure to make the transition.
"Although many people whom I started fighting with have already turned professional, my trainers felt that it was important to focus on the quality of my Muay Thai until we knew it was time to make the jump." said Tarrant.
Tarrant places his full trust in his trainers (Kru Joe Bumanlag and Kru Ray Cruz) to decide when it is time for him to make the move. Taking a look at his former colleague's in the amateur ranks, he feels some made decision to turn pro to soon and have suffered in their first few fights because of this. Tarrant is in no hurry as he wants to "represent properly" for his gym and the sport.
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