THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 5, 1995 TAG: 9501050553
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
1994 wasn't the best year for Curtis Bush. He failed in two attempts to gain a record fourth world kickboxing title and struggled with injuries in conventional boxing.
But the Virginia Beach fighter is hoping to turn things around in 1995, starting with his bout Friday against Abdel Issad of Paris for the vacant International Sport Karate Association super welterweight title.
Bush is optimistic heading into Friday's 10-rounder at the Pavilion, where he captured his third crown in 1992 by defeating Poland's Piatore Falender. Bush is healthy and healed.
Issad, 23, poses a serious challenge. The 6-foot-2 native of Algeria is ranked sixth in the world and is 39-1.
``I feel like I'm a better fighter right now than I have ever been,'' said Bush, a 32, who is 38-7-2 with 28 knockouts and is ranked No. 3 by the ISKA.
Bush is attempting to tie the ISKA record for four world titles in four weight classes. Issad was not Bush's original foe for this fight, but No. 4-ranked Steve Vick recently retired, and Issad was named to replace him.
``It doesn't matter to me who it is and, frankly, I don't care if I don't know anything about him,'' said Bush, who will receive $5,000 for contending for the vacant belt. ``Sometimes I think it's better that way, so I don't go looking for anything.''
The fight could come down to a punch known as the bottom fist - more commonly referred to as a spinning back fist. The punch is illegal in France, making it surprising to Bush that Issad has a reputation for throwing it. Bush used the punch to break Falender's jaw in two places in earning his third world title.
``It's so hard to defense because it's so fast,'' Bush said. ``It's so hard to see it coming. You just have to see how a guy throws it the first couple of times and hope he doesn't hurt you with it.
``I think I have the edge, because I'm finally fighting at home again. There's nothing better, for me, than to be showcasing my talents in front of everybody at home.'' MEMO: AT A GLANCE
What: Curtis Bush (38-7-2) vs. Abdel Issad (39-1) for the
International Sport Karate Association's vacant world super welterweight
title headlines a card of kickboxing and boxing.
Where: Virginia Beach Pavilion.
When: Bouts begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, with the main event around 10
p.m.
TV: 9 p.m., WTKR
The undercard: Fights featuring Nick Rupa, Mike ``Powerhouse'' Rouse
and Olympic silver medalist Chris Byrd, as well as several local club
fighters.
Tickets: $20 ringside, $15 select seating, $10 general admission;
available at TicketMaster locations, Karate International, Footer's
Sports Bar, the Sports Page and or the Pavilion ticket office. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MORT FRYMAN, Staff
``I feel like I'm a better fighter right now than I have ever
been,'' says Virginia Beach's Curtis Bush, who will fight Abdel
Issad on Friday for the vacant ISKA super welterweight title.
by CNB