THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 1, 1995 TAG: 9508310231
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
RAMI IBRHAHIM FADED faster than Hurricane Felix.
Ibrhahim - all 112 pounds of him - had the misfortune to face a Thai kick boxing typhoon named Larry Pope. Pope punched, kicked and otherwise battered his opponent to earn a technical knockout in the first round of a scheduled three-round match that was part of a card at the FDC Academy of Martial Arts. The flyweight bout was one of seven held in a packed house of more than 500.
While Ibrhahim was learning a lesson in the ring, the spectators were getting an education in ancient art. Thailand's national sport dates from the 16th century. Before combatants fight, they perform ``Ram Muay,'' a ceremony of kneeling and bowing, set to Thai music, which offers respect to one's adversary and reverence for the sport.
In the almost no-holds-barred form of fighting, hands, elbows, knees and legs are used. Clinches are allowed in this fighting form, and that's where the knees start flying.
Such a kick by Pope was the beginning of the end for Ibrhahim of the Golden Fist Karate club in Philadelphia. Pope unleashed a lethal kick that knocked Ibrhahim down and nearly out. Pope finished off Ibrhahim with a flurry of punches and kicks before referee Eric Sanchez stopped the bout.
Pope (2-0) trains with Frank Cucci - owner of the academy and a former Navy SEAL who still trains SEALs in hand-to-hand combat.
``All my guys are good,'' said Cucci, as he watched from his fighters' corner.
Cucci's opinion was justified. After Pope's annihilation, FDC fighters ultimately proceeded to win five of the next six bouts. It took a judge's reversal to even the score on the final fight of the evening.
The highlight of the card was Vance Richmond's loss in a U.S. championship in the cruiserweight division. The loss was overturned two days later.
The second biggest surprise of the night was - strangely enough - FDC's only loss. In his first competitive, Jeff Ladrillano faced Phildelphia-based world amateur champion Jesus Cruz. Ladrillano left with confidence and a moral victory against a more experienced fighter.
``It could have gone either way,'' said an intense and proud Cucci. ``Jeff looked real good against Cruz.''
In other bouts: Frank Brown pummeled Donnie Pulley and won a second-round technical knockout in the welterweight division. ... FDC cruiserweight Cris Henlaghan won his first fight against Golden Fist's Jordan Mankin in a close decision. ... Light heavyweight Scott Turner of FDC won a unanimous decision over Jeff Ruth of Golden Fist. ... Tony Anthony got up from a first-round knockdown and won a TKO when Ron Spencer failed to come out for the third round.
``The competitive aspect of our club provides a family-type setting for people to enjoy the sport,'' said Cucci. ``We're certainly proud of our guys who compete, but that's only part of what we do. Most of the time is spent teaching average people self-defense. There are about 150 students who don't fight competitively, who come to the studio for self-defense.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY EDWARDS
Clinches - and almost everything else - go in Thai kick boxing.
Jesus Cruz, left, an amateur champion from Philadelphia, is tied up
by Jeff Ladrillano.
by CNB