Boxing is a great sport for several reasons. First off, in boxing, you learn the proper ways to punch, how to have good body mechanics, how to have good rhythm (which builds coordination and agility), and how to have good timing. Secondly, it’s a good method of self-defense. One of the most well known street fighters of all time, Marc “The Animal” Macyoung mentions in his book, Taking it to the Street that “boxers are dangerous.” He was a street fighter, and bouncer for several years and has been in hundreds of real life brawls. He knows what he is talking about. Lastly, it’s a great way to get in better shape. It improves endurance and cardiovascular health, helps you lose weight and tone your body.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to box? Wouldn’t you like to reap all the benefits mentioned above? At Miller’s Kenpo Karate, we now offer a full comprehensive boxing program that is offered three times per week: Mondays and Thursdays from 5-5:30pm and Sundays from 1:30-2:15pm. This program is for anybody, male or female, ages 12 and up. You never have to jump into the ring to compete, unless you choose to. This program will teach you all you need to know to become a great boxer. You will reap many benefits and if you decide you want to jump into the ring, once you get to a certain level, you will be able to do so.

Our program is based on a level system. Each level (1-10) has specific requirements. Once you have learned the requirements for a particular level, and are sound in those requirements, you will have a step exam to be promoted to the next level. Once you become a level 10 boxer you will qualify as an assistant coach.

In this program you will learn, stances, guards, head movement, body movement, foot movement, punches, defenses, combinations, shadowboxing, different sparring methods, interaction drills, focus mitt training, heavy bag training, and more.

If you or someone you know is interested in this program, visit our Web site at www.millersdojo.com or call Michael Miller at 814-368-3725, or e-mail him at michael.miller@millersdojo.com.

Miller’s Kenpo Karate student Matt Morris won another MMA fight on Saturday, September 24, 2011 in Logan, Ohio. This was Morris’s fifth MMA fight with the win taking his record up to 3-2. Morris’s only losses came by split decisions, which means they could have went either way. All three of his wins, however, have been finishes. His first win was a TKO second round, second win was by submission (kimora) in the first round and his third win was by submission (guillotine choke) in the second round.

For this fight, Morris had his hands full with an experienced opponent, Karate Mike Williams. Morris knew this fighter was no slouch and that he would have to work hard to get through him. Williams had twice as many fights as Morris as this was Williams’ tenth fight. All three of Morris’s trainers, Michael Miller, Charlie Fitzsimmons and Art Vulgamore were in agreement that the game plan needed to defeat Williams was that Morris had to push the pace and utilize strong boxing skills to, hopefully, not give Williams a chance to capitalize on his plan.

Morris followed his trainers’ advice and began the first round strong by moving forward with good jabs, connecting a couple times. Morris came out in a good guard with his hands up and elbows in, whereas Williams had more of a low guard, but moving his hands up and down to keep good movement. Williams cuffed a couple of Morris’s jabs and responded with a jab of his own. Both fighters utilized some leg kicking, and in a punching exchange they ended up in the clinch.

They ended up against the cage and both fighters threw in some dirty boxing and some good knees. After a few exchanges, Morris was able to take Williams down and ended up in Williams’ guard. Williams attempted a sweep, but couldn’t make it work. He then went for an arm bar, which was close. Morris did a great job keeping his composure and was able to get out of it. It was obvious that Williams had a good ground game. Once Morris got out of the arm bar he threw in some good ground and pound and was able to mount Williams. Morris continued with some ground and pound. During the last few seconds of the round Williams swept Morris and then the bell rang.

The second round began with both fighters coming out strong with some striking exchanges. Morris fired a front kick that landed on Williams’ midsection. After the exchanges Williams went for a double leg and Morris wrapped his right arm around Williams’ neck. Morris’s head trainer Michael Miller told Morris to “use it” so Morris pulled Williams down to go for a guillotine choke. Williams was unable to get out which forced him to tap.

Morris has been a seven year student under Miller, who is an ex boxer and is an internationally recognized self-defense and personal protection expert. Throughout the past seven years under Miller, Morris has been learning American Kenpo, boxing, kickboxing, Joe Lewis Fighting Systems, Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu and Modern Arnis. Morris currently holds a 2^nd degree brown belt in American Kenpo under Miller.

Morris also has two other trainers who have a major impact on his MMA career. Ex boxer Charlie Fitzsimmons, who is probably the best boxer in the history of Bradford, and ex Navy SEAL Art Vulgamore who was also a boxer and kickboxer. Miller is in charge of Morris’s overall training structure and is his fight strategy coach and his head striking coach. Fitzsimmons is Morris’ nutrition coach, as well as conditioning and striking coach. Vulgamore, from the Knockout Factory in Salamanca, is Morris’ head conditioning coach as well as a striking coach and his manager-the person who sets up his fights. One thing about Vulgamore is that any fighter that he trains is always in tip top shape. Miller corners Morris as his head trainer, and he is always accompanied with either Fitzsimmons or Vulgamore who are the one’s to go in the cage in between rounds and are the cut men.

Morris plans on turning pro, but will stay amateur for now and just play it by ear. He definitely has what it takes.

Miller’s Kenpo Karate 2^nd degree brown belt Matt Morris fought in is fourth MMA fight on July 30, 2011 in North Olmsted, Ohio (Cleveland area). Fighting in the 155 pound weight division Morris’s opponent, Amran Allyev from Syracuse, N.Y. came into the fight with a record of 2-1.

When the fight began, after touching gloves, both fighters utilized some footwork as Morris began firing jabs.  It looked as if Allyev was feeling Morris out as he backed up to attempt to stay out of range as Morris through jabs, lead hook and right cross.  Morris fired a rear leg round house kick to the leg and then a front leg front kick to the body.  Allyev answered with a powerful rear leg round house kick.

Morris answered with a superman punch that ended in a tight clinch.  Allyev immediately took Morris down and Morris scrambled to get Allyev in his guard.  Morris immediately went for a Kimora and Allyev rolled to attempt an escape, but Morris stuck with it. Allyev made a 2^nd attempt to get out but to no avail.  Morris kept grinding on it as the crowd groaned looking at the position Allyev’s arm was in.  It was to the point where the shoulder could pop out any second.  Although Allyev was very flexible Morris forced him to verbally submit 1:56 into the first round.

Morris worked extremely hard for this fight.  He has been a student under martial arts expert and boxing/MMA trainer Michael Miller for seven years.  Miller has been his head trainer and corner man for all of Morris’s MMA fights.  Aside from Miller, Morris trains with Art Vulgamore at the Knockout Factory in Salamanca, and Charlie Fitzsimmons of Bradford, Pa.