Interview with Melchor Menor (August 2002)

Melchor is one of America's best fighters and one of the few to have fought on the Kings Birthday.

Can you tell us when and where you were born?
I was born April, 1974 . My birthplace is Manila, Philippines.

How old were you when you started Martial arts?
I first saw the movie BloodSport w/ Van Damme when i was 16 years of age, all of a sudden I thought I was a kickboxer! (but that doesn't count :) ) My Lao friends' father taught Muay Thai and i started taking lessons later at that age.

You trained with the famous trainer Master Toddy for many years, how much did that shape you into the fighter you are today?
I met Master Toddy at the age of 19. I won my first World Title with him at the age of 20. I learned mainly the discipline of a ' silent warrior ' , to have respect for others, to be humble. He taught me how to stay focus and to push myself mentally even beyond what my body could physically do. I carry this discipline to this day.

You have lived in San Diego for many years training and teaching young students, did you find it difficult training without a trainer?
Yes! After realizing that driving 2 hours away to train with the Thais in L.A. or driving 5 hours to Vegas to train on weekends was just too much and unrealistic for training as a professional fighter... I learned that your training sessions are what you make out of it, regardless of who you train with. So, i was determined to get the same intensity of training that I had when I trained with the Thais, by using my own students and fighters. Luckily, now I have a Boxing trainer and JWP for Muay Thai.

You fought Masato in the year 2000 at the Tokyo Dome, can you tell us about that fight?
I remember at the weigh-in, the officials were laughing because before i stepped on the scale, I guzzled my bottle of water. Fully clothed, I only weighed in at 145lbs, 2 pounds lighter than the contracted weight. This was my first fight going into a heavier weight division. I felt I did my best, but Masato's leg kicks took its toll on me in the end of the 4th round. I will never forget the venue at the Tokyo Dome. The event was titled Colosseum 2000. The main event was Rickson Gracie vs Funaki. It was very dramatic ending. Funaki's countrymen rooting for him and then Rickson getting the upper hand and nearly putting Funaki to sleep was intense, silencing the 40,000 Japanese and then a few minutes later standing and applauding at the two Gladiators. That was memorable.

2001 was your first Kings birthday fight, how different was that to other fights you have had?
When I was offered to fight in the Kings Birthday in Thailand, I jumped at the opportunity. No words can describe fighting in front of 140,000 people . The experience was truly incredible! How many people can say that they performed for the King of Thailand. That night, I wanted to show the Thai people that Americans could compete with the best. Even though I lost to a decision against my Thai opponent, I was given a standing ovation and they cheered for my skills and heart. I was personally invited by the Promoter, Songchai, to come back again on the Kings Birthday 2002.

Your last fight was against Danny Steel as a super fight at the K-1 USA in Vegas, what did that win mean to you?

That win meant a lot more to my friends, students, and fans. The win proved to everybody else that I was to be respected as one of the best fighters out there, whether you like me or not. Of all American fighters I have met, I have the most respect for Danny.

Your next fight will also be a super fight on the K-1 USA coming up on August 17 in Vegas. This is a rematch with George Tatsui with George wining the first fight, can you tell us what happened the first time you fought George?
I was disgusted with that fight. George is a good fighter, but I lost my respect for him after his little drama claiming that I kneed him in the groin. There was no way for me to win that bout because the referee had taken several points from me. Yes, George was the stronger boxer but it was for a Muay Thai title.. People will have their opinions on that bout. However, I felt I displayed what a Muay Thai Champion should be - in skill and in heart. George and I will settle it Aug 17th.

Your are one of the best Muay Thai fighters in America fighting all over the world but yet unknown to people out side the USA, how does this make you feel?
What makes Ramon Dekkers, John Wayne Parr, Masato, Danny Bill, etc. Marquee fighters is that they competed often against anyone no matter who they were even against the Thais and they were successful at it because of their skills and their heart. They lived and breathed Muay Thai every second of their life.... Unfortunately, Muay Thai is not my whole life. It's a part time gig for me. I have competed at most 4 times in one year, fortunate enough to have competed in huge venues. My friends, family, and boxers that I have met through my career have great respect for me as a fighter. That's what is most important to me.

What do you think about the standard of Muay Thai in America?
Muay Thai is now gaining acceptance in America. However, Americans have a different mentality than others when it comes to Muay Thai training. Here, it is more for a fitness and learning experience, where in other countries it is regarded as huge sport, and for some, their life. Here, Muay Thai training as a sport is regarded as very intense and very few can endure. 'It is too much' for most and the reward is very little. Because of this mentality, Americans will never rise to the standard of French, Dutch, Japanese or Thais. I think in order to keep a solid stable of American muay thai fighters competing with the rest of the Muay Thai World, the athlete must start young, promoters need to keep promoting them often and give more incentives to compete, offer decent prize money, sponsorship for the Muay Thai athletes, perks like these and recognition through media, magazines, etc. then you will see a new breed of American fighters coming out of the woodworks.

In closing, what would you like to say to your Muay Thai fans?
I am one of the millions of people who will forever love Muay Thai because it demands the best out of you both physically and mentally, challenging you, and always learning new things. This is what Muay Thai is for me. Don't ask from this sport beyond than this or you will be slightly disappointed. Keep training, stay healthy and enjoy Muay Thai. God loves all of you !! :) please visit anytime www.teammenor.com