FIGHTS AND FIGHTERS

WHAT IS DOGBOXING

DogBoxing is our style of fighting - it is a mix of Mexican boxing and Thai boxing.  It's a term we used back in some old school boxing gyms in Salinas, Ca.  At the time it meant when you were getting out-boxed and out- classed and you dug down deep and started throwing with bad intentions: one, two to the head, hooks and uppercuts to the body, back to the head with hooks and right hands - the idea is since you getting beat - you might as well bang!!! You either stop your opponent or you lose the fight.

20 years ago in Salinas pig hunting was big and many a backyard had a good old pit and a Catahoula.  The Catahoula found the pig and the bulldog caught him and the gameness and tenacity that bulldog showed while catching that hog was another way we used the term DogBoxing.  Sometimes we would catch a pig a little too big to handle and the catch dog would dig down deep and hang on for all he was worth til we got there and ended the circus - now in MMA we have found the style and the precepts to work rather well.  We add powerful punching style along with the powerful thai kicks and knees, the clinch - we teach our guys to hang on like a bulldog and try to finish, or make it where clinching is not a good idea for your opponent.  Being in condition is of ultimate importance, practicing the basics til you can do it without thinking and many rounds of sparring with game partners.  Ken Shamrock, Wanderlie Silva, Dan Henderson, are all examples of men who like these types of principles.  We like to run wind sprints, hitting mitts and thai pads during or directly after the sprints, we like to do alot of 5 minute rounds of bag work, we like powerlifting, especially the bench press, we also like bar work as in the rings, rope climbing, pull ups, dips and push ups.  We are fans of round robins in sparring - we like to keep it simple but no where near easy.

 I know the Mexicans consider their boxing matches a fight - they come to fight not dance around and try and not get hit for 12 rounds.  Now we practice punch and move but if the strike is there we take it, and we all know how the Thais fight.  While in Thailand I couldnt help but be impressed with the fighters, trainers and training methods and the whole country in general.  They are very warm, humble respectful warriors, which we try and teach as well - to the point that if you dont get it we will probally recommend another camp.  In my opinion if you have no respect you cannot be a warrior worth the led asprin it would take to put you outa your misery.  Bring me a humble fighter with heart over a talanted whizbang any day!!!!!!

When a fighter is tired, or out classed its not the bag work or the wind sprints that is going to win the fight, its his character - which hopefully gets nurtured at the gym, respecting his opponent, performing for the fans and the promotion that contracted him to do a job, the loyalty he has for his corner, the pride he has in his gym and style, those are the things that pull off wins, that breed champions and this is what we hope DogBoxing will come to mean not just to us but to the combat sports world--thats the goal anyway!!!