STAMPEDE SKIRMISH - Saturday July 14th, 2001 / Calgary, Alberta, Canada

This report was written by Tracey Hamm and supplied by Mike Miles

After several years of attempts, Calgary finally hosted it's first outdoor fight event. Co-promoted by Mike Miles Productions and Schanks Athletic Club, the event was to have some very surprising results. The event took place at the same time as 'The Greatest Outdoor Show in the World' - The world famous 'Calgary Stampede'. In previous attempts during earlier years, the weather had never cooperated and events would be moved, postponed or cancelled due to rain, high winds, and in general, mother nature never cooperating. This day was to be different as there were no winds, the sun was out in full force with temperatures around 80 degrees plus. The canvas on the ring accentuated the heat to around 100 plus degrees for the fighters. "The athletes were tired and dehydrated usually into the second round. The heat was brutal on the spectators, let alone the athletes", said Mike Miles.

Not sure what kind of attendance to expect, the promoters were hoping from 400 to 600 spectators. The event drew around 400 spectators. "There were a large number of events vying for the visiting tourists dollar, I am happy with the support the event received", said Mike Miles. "Everybody living in and visiting this town during the 11 day Stampede celebration are tied up at the exhibition grounds, or being a wanna be cowboy. The fights were a great idea but did not fit the western based scheme of events during the celebrations. I had a fun time, enjoyed the fights, but, that sun really beat down on one", said American tourist and fight spectator Gil Fletcher of the event.

"This event had given grief for the last 2 months and even up to the event, problems did not quit occurring. The fight line up changed so many times, it really became a game of musical chairs or opponents right up until fight time", said Mike Miles. "I am glad this one is over. It is time for a vacation because starting in September, we are back on a brutal schedule of promoting and attending fights elsewhere."

The main event of the card featured Toronto's Ovel Rochester (Tiger Muay Thai) battling Arashi-Do Karate's instructor Justin Doran for the vacant WKA Canadian Superlightheavyweight Muay Thai Title (under modifed rules - no elbow attacks and no knees to the head). Rochester was originally slated to fight National's Scott Clark, but the hometown athlete had sustained an upper body injury which prevented him from finally taking the bout. The bout had many ups and downs as well as a surprise ending. The bout opened and Rochester pressed the bout while Doran was content to throw single shots. Rochester would methodically pick the shots off and counter with fast combinations leaving Doran somewhat frustrated. In the second round, Doran seemed to find the key and started throwing combinations which scored and troubled the Toronto athlete. Shots were getting in and several were furting but being a true warrior, Rochester would turn up the heat when he was in trouble. Rochester delivered a scoring right cross and the surprised Doran backpedaled to the ropes. Rochester pursued and he delivered a jumping right knee at his foe. Had it landed it could have finished the fight. But this was not to be. Doran sidestepped and Rochester hit the ropes and did a flip over the ropes and landed on the ground outside the ring dropping at least 6 feet over the ropes to the ground. Keith Crawford slowed the athletes fall and helped Rochester avoid banging his head, but even so, the Toronto athlete was stunned when he finished his fall. "The only other time I saw an athlete whip over the ropes so explosively and suddenly like this was in Thailand when my friend Den Muangsurin missed a kick and whipped over the ropes and fell to the ground", said Mike Miles. The doctors rushed to Rochester and checked out the disoriented athlete. After making sure the athlete was alright to continue Rochester climbed back into the ring and the fight continued. The round finished evenly. In the third round, the Toronto athlete turned up the heat with heavy head punches and kicks and he stunned Doran several times. Towards the end of the round, a heavy right connected to Doran's head and the bout was stopped. Ovel Rochester is the new owner of the WKA Canadian Superlightheavyweight Muay Thai Title.

The remainder of the card had the following results: - AJ Cattapan (Progessive) lost a split decision to Chris Eccles (Karate-Do Academy). These two teenagers showed a lot of heart and desire to open the event.
- Clint McLaughlin (Champion) won a very close split decision over Darren Snell (National Muay Thai). McLaughlin has requested a rematch in his city (Saskatoon) in the fall and Snell has agreed.
- Len Henderson (Pemberton Kickboxing) shook Tom Paukovic (Pine Falls Kickboxing) in the first round. Though Paukovic looked hurt and at times very unstable on his feet, Henderson did not get the chance to win the bout via KO or TKO. Paukovic displayed good heart.
- Richard Pogson (Pemberton Kickboxing) won a first round KO over Colin Van Loon (Progressive). A body shot set up a head hook which dropped Van Loon unconcious to the canvas. Van Loon was taken to the hospital for observation and he was discharged after checking out all right.
- Brad Wall (Progressive) stepped into the ring with Brad Whiteside (Pemberton Kickboxing). Though this was to be a bloody war with Wall having trouble with his nose, Wall pressed the bout and landed some excellent punches and kick combinations. The decision went split to Wall.
The fairer sex had the following results in their bouts:
- Val Huggett (National Muay Thai) took an unanimous decision over Kelly Pogson (Pemberton Kickboxing). Huggett took the first 2 rounds with effective punches and kicks. In the final round, Pogson attempted a comeback but it was not enough to affect the outcome of the bout.
- Raylene Kellock (National Muay Thai) pressed her bout with a strong body attack and was awarded a second round TKO win over Jan Warshion (Winners Kickboxing).
- Kirbi MacInnis (National Muay Thai) won a very close split decision over Jessica Gladstone (Karate-Do Academy).

Last minute cancellation by athletes resulted in a few disappointed athletes having to participate in exhibition bouts (no winners declared) because of weight and experience differences. Vancouver's Yousuf Mapara (132lbs.) put on a great display of talent with last minute replacement Kim Morris (National Muay Thai - 122 lbs.). Both athletes showed finesse and good technique in the ring to an appreciative audience. Rob Loder (National Muay Thai - 185 lbs.) and Steve Russell (Progressive - 171 lbs.) displayed some interesting and exciting technique in the match ups also)

"This outdoor event took its toll on me", said Mike Miles. "I think we will keep to indoor events in the future!"