MALICIOUS INTENT MUAYTHAI GALA IN CANADA

Saturday March 1st saw Calgary's second Muay Thai event of 2008.  The event, called 'MALICIOUS INTENT', took place at the beautiful Deerfoot Inn & Casino and was sold out in advance, which just goes to show how quickly Muaythai is gaining popularity in line with other mainstream sports, especially since becoming part of GAISF and with the success of the Contender Asia Muaythai series, which featured Canadian athlete Trevor Smandych.

The promoters, the Calgary Amateur Muay Thai Association and Mike Miles, put on a highly competitive card, sanctioned by the WMC and IFMA.

UNDERCARD

The first undercard fight saw Sean McKinnon vs Michel Travaglini. This was a great fight featuring two different Muaythai fighting styles and the scores were nailbitingly close. Such a great bout had the audience wanting more, and they got it as Chase Arkossy took on Anson Pops, who squared off with each other in a show of incredible heart. The bout was action packed from start to finish, both boys showing why Muaythai is such an exciting ringsport to watch, Arkossy winning the decision.

In another exciting bout Peter Arbeau stepped into the ring against Colin Silver in the super middleweight division. As the bout opened Arbeau used his kicks and long range punches to keep Silver at bay. In the third round Silver stepped up the work place and landed a few more shots but Arbeau fought back and land his own. The decision was given to Peter Arbeau in what was a very competitive bout.

Next up was a great female bout as Alana Dunbrack took on C.J. Stewart. This was a great display of technique, with solid clinch work from both girls, Dunbrack winning the decision.

This was followed by Jason Meller vs Dan Rodriguez. These two Canadian super lightweights put on a highly spirited fight, the decision going to Rodriguez after a great performance.

SEMI-MAIN EVENT

Female Muaythai under IFMA and the WMC is gaining a large following and the nonstop action as Sandra 'Heart' Bastian (Canada) took on California's Roxy 'Balboa' Richardson showed just why. Both girls went toe to toe from the very start, thrilling the crowd, and the action was so nailbitingly close that a draw was awarded.

MAIN EVENT

The main event saw Jesse 'Smiles' Miles of Canada take on Shawn Monday from the USA.

Both athletes sounded each other out as the bout opened, stepping up the pace as the first round continued. Towards the end of the first round a solid shot sent Monday towards the ropes and Miles followed with a brutally hard low kick to high kick, dropping Monday. Monday beat the count and the ringing of the bell finished the first round. In the second round Miles came out much more aggressively. Miles faked a shot which had Monday retreat to the ropes and Miles suddenly spun and landed a very hard back elbow. This elbow connected and stunned the American who stumbled forward. Miles spun out of the way and landed a good knee to the face followed by a few quick elbows and Monday was down. Shook and unable to get up, the referee counted Monday out and Miles was to win the bout by TKO.
 
The night was a great success for the Calgary Amateur Muay Thai Association and Canada is preparing for another great WMC/IFMA event on April 18th – stay tuned for all details on this website.