Image vs Substance

It is through language, imagery and participation that we learn. We choose our values and make our judgements from the things we see, hear and experience.
Today there seems to be a disturbing trend that is affecting the values we choose and the judgements we make. Some of us are more concerned with image and how something “appears” to be (how it looks), they live in the moment without any thought for substance or deeper meaning.

We see this preoccupation with image all the time. Politicians that spin their true intentions to sensationally steal a vote, vacuous media “celebrities” that fail to contribute anything except to display their beauty, wealth and bad habits. Virtually ALL advertising has this vulgar obsession with image and lifestyle that affects every choice we make. We see it too in music, the cinema and sport. Let’s not get too excited by flashy demo’s and spinning kicks or by individuals that are so image conscious they believe they are more important than the rest of us, and make little or no contribution to our community unless it benefits them.

The current success of MMA and the UFC is a great example of this. These new breed of fighters bad mouth and slag each other off, peer into the camera grimacing and snarling in an attempt to intimidate their future opponents. I find it ridiculous that anyone would be intimidated by this superficial and theatrical act of arrogance; - just because someone says they are the best or the most dangerous, doesn’t make it true. It is propaganda, it is marketing, it is spin. It is not the truth but an illusion that grabs our attention for the wrong reasons. What seems to be more important is hitting the sunbeds and getting ripped, having just the right tattoo’s or that special haircut to become the fighter that everyone’s talking about (it happens in Thai-Boxing too).

Just because a fighter appears in the Martial Arts magazines all the time, doesn’t mean that much and doesn’t necessarily make them any better than you or I. Look beyond the surface image at who people really are. Take away all the sensationalism and look at what fighters really do and the skills they actually use. Image conscious individuals would rather spend time on things that will impress others. Focus your time on developing real skills that take time and are hard to come by. Do things properly and don’t rush just to get to some ideal standard. Never be frightened of failure, it is an important ingredient to becoming great. Making mistakes and getting things wrong is an essential part of learning. Image conscious people are afraid to explore, they don’t like to make mistakes for fear of looking bad.

Remember, whatever you focus on becomes your idea of reality. If you focus your attention on image without regard for substance, you are measuring your self worth by what is on the outside. YOU decide what is on the inside by holding yourself to a higher standard. You have the power right now to control how you think, how you feel and what you do. Standing up for what you believe, focusing on what you are deeply committed to will give you a healthy self worth that will help create your destiny – You are not defined by what you say or how you look..., but by what you do. One of the most important things I want you to realise is that you have absolute control over your own internal world – you decide what things mean and what to do about them.

A Very Special Message for Mick and Trix

Well what a year, our anniversary and probably the best year we have ever had. The fighters have been absolutely amazing and its been a fantastic privilege for me to be in the corner with Mick and Trix to witness so many wicker camp victories. How many champions have we got now?, that many I have lost count a long time ago (something to do with getting smacked in the head a lot lol) having so many champions and good fighters that keep winning to me means only one thing that Mick Mullaney is without doubt the No.1 Thai boxing trainer in the country and has been for a good few years now (round about 30 to be precise) but as they say behind every good Thai boxing trainer is a bloody good female Thai boxing trainer and Trix March fits that bill superbly having trained thousands and thousands of juniors to the very highest standard in the world and many of them have gone on to be adult champions i.e. Imran Khan, Chilli, Thomas and of course many junior champions too.

Not only are they fantastic trainers, but they are also fantastic friends to anyone who pops there head round the door and joins the wicker camp. I’m sure you will agree with me when you join wicker camp you join a very special family the atmosphere and friendliness down at the gym is second to nowhere else. I have been there for a lot of years now and Mick and Trix have done so much for me and hundreds of other students way above and beyond just being instructors, it's awesome. So I guess what I’m trying to say is Mick and Trix I love and respect you and would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for the last 30 years of wicker camp and look forward to the next 30. Wow we are going to have some amazing champions to come.

If like me you are proud and humble to be a member of the very best Thai boxing club in the world please take this opportunity to leave a few words to two of the best people I know .Also i would like to to say thanks to all the instructors that also do loads for the gym cheers love you all; West, Dan, Lee ,Daz ,Helene, Ali ,Sam ,Imran, Paul

lots of love mick trix n roo

Kru Pete Mccormick

MUAYTHAI SUPERFIGHTS 2007.

The MuayThai Superfights show at Wolverhampton Civic Hall hosted the must see fight of 2007. The showdown between our very own Haji Imran Khan and the number 1 in the UK, Richard Cadden; and what an amazing fight it turned out to be. Also from Wicker Camp was up and coming star Thomas McCormick who proved he is a force to be reckoned with.
Thomas stepped into the ring 1st to face the experienced Yogendra Parekh. Yogi is a superb fighter, but we felt he wasn't in the best shape for this fight (thankfully)had he been, Thomas would have had a much tougher fight. Tom used his reach to keep him at distance, working to Yogi's body and legs with his strong teep, landing some solid leg kicks and showing very good skill in the clinch. Mick wanted to see Thomas use a range of different skills in this fight to develop his timing in the clinch and test his defence against a very strong puncher. Thomas won every round easily on points over 5 x 2 min rounds. Good exposure for Tom on a big show.
Imran was very nervous. I think he felt the pressure was on to prove what everyone at Wicker Camp expected, that he would beat Richard easily. In the changing rooms he paced nervously, doubting his ability and his preparation. The truth is, Imran was in the best shape of his life. Private tuition twice per day with Mick for the past 8 weeks (even during Ramadam), ensured that he was extremely well prepared.

The fight didn't start that slowly, both fighters were eager to stamp their own aggressive intentions. Not many realise that Imran is a consummate master of defence, it is very hard to hit him. Cadden tried but Imran's blocks were up like lightening. His hand speed is awesome, his power surprising and his knees and elbows are absolutely devastating. It was no surprise to us when Imran cut him early in the 1st round and dropped him with another sharp powerful elbow that forced the Doctor to stop the fight. John Blackledge the Referee, as ever the experienced Pro, stepped in and insisted the Doctor examine the cut.

A final word about Richie Cadden - I know he was disappointed, who wouldn't be. He is still the great fighter he was before this. I don't think he's past it or over the hill, I don't think that he is lacking in skill or any of the things critics may think to say about him. This fight was all about style, a matching of different styles. Richard is such a nice lad. He is also a noble ambassador for our sport, always a gentleman, proud in his many great victories and gracious in this one defeat.

Results Middleton Civic Centre 27th Oct 2007

A special congratulations to Dave Kantor who became the new Light Heavyweight English Champion beating Anthony Sabinda (Kings Gym).

This was a real test for Dave as it was only his 2nd fight. He started off really nervous in the 1st round and Anthony landed some strong body kicks, although they didn't seem to phase Dave. As he settled into the fight he started to land some strong kicks and some solid punches to the body and head. Anthony seemed to look tired by the 3rd and Dave's confidence grew. He proved to be more resilient wearing his opponent down and as the fight progressed looked stronger and much more aggressive throwing his opponent through the ropes in the 4th round. By the end of the 5th it was clear that Dave was the winner, he really pulled the goods out on the night. Respect must go to Anthony a tough opponent and his trainer Dave McClennon who was very professional and a nice guy.

Well done Dave a fantastic performance. X

Results Middleton Civic Centre 27th Oct 2007

Congratulations to Mehdi Firoozi who became the new Light Heavyweight British Champion beating Gareth Brady (Master A's Camp).

The fight was the final bout of the evening and Gareth had loads of support. Mehdi was really nervous, he was 3kg lighter, less experienced (10th fight)and he'd also agreed to put up his English Title belt, so the pressure was on.

After a cautious start both fighters started scoring and Mehdi caught Gareth in the 1st round with a right hook, it didn't rock him but he stumbled and this gave Mehdi the confidence he needed. In the 2nd Gareth caught Mehdi with some strong punches and Mehdi landed some solid leg kick combinations and a couple of good elbows. It was a tough battle with both fighters being dangerous all the time. The 3rd round saw Mehdi unleash some good combinations and again landed a solid leg kick (full shin) to Gareth's left leg. Gareth fell to the canvas and was unable to continue.
Thank you to Master A for this opportunity and to Gareth Brady who's proved to be a great fighter.

A fantastic performance Mehdi and what a year, an English Title and two British Titles, well done.X

Junior Show Manchester Sunday 21st Oct

Jaz Meates (pictured) became the new 41kg English champion providing an excellent performance against Zak Adams from Jaimie Rickets Camp. Jaz has been waiting a long time for this and deserves it so much.

Lewis Lazenby 50Kg performed beyond expectation and won his first fight against Matt Runner from Peles Camp.

Dale Gordon 55Kg had a tough 2nd fight against a more experienced Juran Jones from K-Star, unfortunately the contest was stopped after Dale accidentally caught Juran with a knee to the head.

Congratulations to all fighters and look out for these up and coming stars in the future.

Upcoming Title Fights

Amazing Muay Thai Championships (Manchester)

Mehdi Firoozi is fighting for his 2nd 78Kg British Title in 2 months (I.S.K.A British title) and on the same show Wicker Camp newcomer Dave Kantor fights for a 78Kg I.T.B.F English Title

Mehdi Firoozi v.s Gareth Brady 78kg

(Wicker camp) (Master A's)

5x3 mins Full Muay Thai Rule

Dave Kantor (Wicker) vs Anthony Sabinda (Kings Gym) 79 kg I.S.K.A British title

Middleton Civic Centre
Fountain Street
Middleton
Manchester
M24 1AF