Friday, January 31, 2014

Happy Lunar New Year / Year of the Horse!


To the readers of this site who celeberate the Lunar New Year, Happy New Year


Traditional Chinese: 恭禧發財
Simplified Chinese: 恭禧发财.


Gong Xi Fa Cai (Pinyin)
Gùng Héi Faat Chōi (Cantonese)(Cantonese popular spelling: Kung Hei Fat Choy)

-----------------------------------------

Traditional Chinese: 新年快樂
Simplified Chinese: 新年快乐.


Xin Nian Kuai le (Pinyin)
san1 nin4 faai3 lok6(Cantonese)


May the Year of the Horse bring you and your loved ones health, wealth and happiness!

Monday, January 27, 2014

IN MEMORY OF: Kyuzo Mifune (April 21, 1883 – January 27, 1965)

Source pic: www.judoctj.com.br


49 years ago today, one of the greatest judokas who ever lived passed away. Kyuzo Mifune was 82 yrs young. So glad that video exists of him in action. As tribute, I'm posting it.

Enjoy!



Kyuzo Mifune | 三船 久蔵
The Essence of Judo | Full Movie English subtitles

Filmed in 1948 when Sensei Kyuzo Mifune was 73 years old

Kyuzo Mifune-san was born on April 21, 1883, in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, on Honshū Island in Japan, a year after the Kodokan was founded.

On May 25, 1945, he was promoted to judan (10th dan), the fourth of 18 judoka to ever be so honored.

In 1956, he wrote his classic book, The Canon Of Judo, still a remarkable exposition of judo history, philosophy, and technical description.

To E. J. Harrison, he wrote a book foreword that was simple but expressed Mifune's philosophical nature: "Freedom in continuous change!"







For further info:



Thursday, January 23, 2014

Happy 75th Birthday Sonny Chiba!!

Click for larger pic
Source pic:  lazaruslair.wordpress.com

Sonny Chiba turne 75 today! Cult classic action star! Cultural icon of the 1970's. What more needs to be said about this living legend?



お誕生日おめでとうございます千葉 真一
(otanjōbi omedetō gozaimasu Chiba Shin'ichi)
Happy Birthday Sonny Chiba!








2012 HD Tribute





2004 Interview






Jonathan Ross interviewing Sonny Chiba for Japanorama






Sonny Chiba Commercials





For further info:


Other Sonny Chiba posts:




NOTE:  Props to Rosemary for the heads-up!

Sonny Chiba in Karate Kiba (ボディガード牙) (1976) (Full movie)

Click for larger picture

It's Sonny Chiba's 75th Birthday!


I am posting one of his movies, Karate Kiba, in his honor. 


Trivia: 

It was released in 1973 in Japan. A recut American release in 1976 had an additional 10 minutes added to the beginning of the film. Noteworthy is the following:

"The path of the righteous man and defender is beset on all sides by the iniquity of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper, and the father of lost children. And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious anger, who poison and destroy my brothers; and they shall know that I am Chiba the Bodyguard when I shall lay my vengeance upon them!" [Ezekiel 25:17]

Recognize that? For Pulp Fiction, director Quentin Tarantino changed "I am Chiba the Bodyguard" to "my name is the Lord" for Samuel Jackson's Jules.


Enjoy!



Karate Kiba (ボディガード牙) (1976)
(or Bodyguard Kiba or The Bodyguard)




For further info:


Other Sonny Chiba posts:





Sonny Chiba's Return of the Street Fighter (1974) (Full movie)



Enjoy this post with the full movie of Return of the Street Fighter in honor of Sonny Chiba's 75th b-day!




Return of the Street Fighter (1974) 
殺人拳2 Satsujin ken 2









For further info:






Other Sonny Chiba posts:







Sonny Chiba in The Street Fighter (1974) (Full movie)

Click for larger pic

Terry's Father: Listen my son, TRUST NO ONE! You can count on no one but YOURSELF. Improve your skills, son, harden your body, become a NUMBER ONE MAN! Do not ever let ANYONE beat you! 
 

Celebrating Sonny Chiba's 75th Birthday today. Posting this cult classic!


Trivia:

What can I say that no one hasn't heard before? Well how about this:

  • It is notable as the first film to receive an X-rating in the United States solely for violence.


Enjoy!






The Street Fighter (1974)
(激突!殺人拳)
Gekitotsu! Satsujin Ken 



Terry is a tough, mercenary, master of martial arts. When an important business magnate dies, leaving billions to his daughter, the Mafia and Yakuza try to hire Terry to kidnap the daughter. When they refuse to meet his exorbitant price, then try to kill him to conceal their secret plans, he promptly offers his services to protect her. Much ultra-violent martial-arts fighting action, as expected, ensues.





For further info:


Other Sonny Chiba posts:




    The Physical Body DVD Outtakes 1/2 - Hanuman Akhara in Delhi, India



    Check out this clip of the raw training sequences from Vincent Giordano's The Physical Body 1 DVD. This was an outtake/unused footage. Good for anyone who wanted more detail on Kushti aka Indian Wrestling, that was the subject of The Physical Body.


    My Review from Dec 2007 of The Physical Body:  




    A series of short outtakes from the The Physical Body series focusing on the Hanuman Akhara in Delhi, India.



    Parts Two and Three can be found here:



    Enjoy!



    For ordering info, please check out:



    For further information on new DVDs, please email:


    • vanishingflame@NOSPAMgmail.com(please take out the "NOSPAM" when emailing)


    Wednesday, January 22, 2014

    THIS DATE IN HISTORY: Jan 22, 1988 (Mike Tyson vs Larry Holmes)

    Photo Credit:  Wiki


    26 years ago today, 21 year old Mike Tyson (32-0) faced Larry Holmes (48-2) who was 38 yrs old and had retired from boxing for 2 years. This was for the WBA, WBC and IBF Heavyweight Championships. This was the 2nd largest age difference in Heavyweight Title fight history!

    Enjoy!







    For further info:



    Tuesday, January 21, 2014

    RIP Uncle

    :(

    Rest In Peace Uncle

    Monday, January 20, 2014

    生日快樂 趙志淩 師父! Happy 71st Birthday Chiu Chi Ling!

    Source pic:  www.tigredoro.org


    生日快樂 趙志淩 師父!  Happy Birthday Chiu Chi Ling! 


    Chiu sifu turned 71!


    He started learning Hung Ga from his father at the age of 6 ... 65 years of Hung Ga training!!


    Readers may recognize him from Kung Fu Hustle.

    Click for larger pic


    Enjoy these 5 videos in celebration of Chiu sifu's 71st birthday!





    Chiu sifu's trapping hands




    Five Animals Five Elements (Ten Form)




    "Gung Gee Fook Fu Kuen" 工字伏虎拳 (Taming the Tiger)





    Snake in the Eagle's Shadow scene




    Kung Fu Hustle scene





    For further info:



    NOTE:  Posted 1/22/14 as-of 1/20. My thanks to David Jamieson and sanjuro_ronin from the KungFuMagazine.com Forum  for the reminder!

    Happy 65th Birthday Bryan "Beardy" Leung! (Warriors Two-1978-Full Movie)



    Today is Bryan Leung's 65th birthday! He is also known as:

    • Leung Kar-yan
    • Leung Ka-yan
    • Liang Jia-ren
    • and affectionately known as "Beardy" for his ever-present facial hair (at least in the oldschool movies)

    In my opinion, his best known role is probably as Leung Jan, a famous Wing Chun Kuen master in the Sammo Hung directed (and co-starred) Warriors Two.

    Posting this movie in his honor as tribute!

    Enjoy!







    Warriors Two (1978)
    (Chinese:  贊先生與找錢華; Zan xian sheng yu zhao qian hua)


    Synopsis

    Hua (Casanova Wong) stumbles upon a plot hatched by a businessman to take over the city of Fushan by killing its Mayor. Hua hides out at the home of an elderly doctor and master of Wing Chun. Fei (Sammo Hung) persuades the old master (Bryan Leung) to teach the young cashier Wing Chun, and the three eventually go head-to-head with the villains.








    For more information:





    Other Bryan Leung movies posted:





    Bryan Leung as Huo Yuan-jia in Legend of a Fighter (1982) (Full movie)




    Many people know of Chen Zhen played by alternately Bruce Lee (The Chinese Connection), Jet Li (Fist of Legend), and Donnie Yen (in the TV series Fists of Fury and in the movie Legend of the Fist: Return of Chen Zhen). But do you all remember Huo Yuanjia (Cantonese: Fok Yuen-gap)? The fictious Chen Zhen is a student of the historical personage Huo Yuanjia. Jet Li played Huo in his 2006's Fearless. But back in 1982 Bryan "Beardy" Leung plays Huo in this movie.

    Enjoy this English dubbed movie!




    Legend of a Fighter (1982
    (霍元甲 / Chinese: Huo Yuanjia / Cantonese: Fok Yuen-gap)



     
     
     



    For more information:




    Other Bryan Leung movies posted:



    Bryan Leung in The Victim (1980) (Full movie)




    This movie features Sammo Hung wielding the three-sectional staff and Bryan Leung with the staff.

    Enjoy this classic!





    The Victim (orig. 身不由已; Shen bu you ji)


    A rich man with a kind heart takes in a suffering homeless orphan named Chun Yau. The man’s spoiled/jealous son does not take well to his new stepbrother. Chun Yau grows into a righteous martial artist played by Bryan Leung. Likewise, the jealous son grows into a bitter gang leader, essayed by Chang Yi. The jealous son holds a grudge against his stepbrother because Chun Yau stole his girlfriend. Now, Chang Yi has made it his goal to hunt down Chun Yau and his bride, Yu Ti prompting the newlyweds to spend their lives together running in fear from the gang leader. But one day Chun Yau runs into a bumbling tough guy named Fatty, who immediately challenges him to fight. Chun Yau quickly dispatches of his aggressor, prompting Fatty to set himself up as Chun Yau’s pupil. Apparently Fatty has promised his ancestors that he shall learn proper Kung Fu by training under the man who beats him (and Chun Yau is the first to do so.). However, Chun Yau and his wife are trying to keep a low profile and they want nothing to do with Fatty, as all he does is attract attention. Fatty, meanwhile, can’t help but wonder why such a great martial artist lives in fear.







    For more information:





    Other Bryan Leung movies posted:

    Bryan Leung - The Thundering Mantis (1980)




    It's Bryan Leung's birthday today! Check out one of his early classics!


    Enjoy!



    Thundering Mantis (1980) (Chinese:  癲螳螂)

    Synopsis

    Ah Chi (Ka-Yan Leung) is obsessed with the martial arts and, more often than not, his kung-fu clowning gets him into trouble. One day he gets into a fight defending the locals from a violent thug who turns out to be an enforcer for tong boss Hsia (Eddie Ko) of the notorious Jade Brotherhood. In retaliation, Hsia forces Chi's martial arts master to expel him. Masterless and working for a fish vendor, Chi meets a crafty kid (Yat Lung Wong), whose uncle Chow Tung (Simon Yuen) is a master of the Insane Mantis style. Though the crotchety old man refuses to teach Chi his technique, Chi picks up what he can in secret. Master Chow soon relents after Chi is badly beaten in yet another battle with Hsia's goons. Insane Mantis instruction now begins in earnest with great acrobatic acuity. Eventually, however, Hsia and his lackeys ambush and kill both the fish vendor and the old master which, in turn, completes Ah Chi's descent into total insanity. Emulating praying mantis behavior, Ah Chi unleashes an outright cannibalistic rage directed against the Jade Brotherhood's big boss himself!

    English dubbed





    For more information:





    Other Bryan Leung movies posted:

    Friday, January 17, 2014

    a.k.a. Cassius Clay (1970) (Cus D'Amato and Muhammad Ali)



    Whoa! Very cool! I didn't know about this film until today. As both Muhammad Ali and Cus D'Amato both share today as their birthdays, what better way to honor them both with this film?

    Enjoy!




    "a.k.a. Cassius Clay" is a 1970 boxing documentary film about the former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali.

    Directed by Jimmy Jacobs, the film was made during Ali's exile from the sport for refusing to be inducted into the US Army on religious grounds. Narrated by Richard Kiley, the film gives an overview of Ali's career to that point. The film features archival footage of people associated with Ali, such as Angelo Dundee, Malcolm X, and Drew Bundini Brown, and clips of his fights with Sonny Liston, Henry Cooper, George Chuvalo and Floyd Patterson. These are intercut with scenes featuring Ali and veteran boxing trainer Cus D'Amato discussing his career and how he would have fared against past champions such as Joe Louis.







    For more info on Cus D'Amato:




    For more info on The Greatest, please check out: 



    For other Muhammad Ali-related posts:


    Happy 72nd Birthday Muhammad Ali!!



    This man needs no introduction! The whole world knows him.

    Today marks his 72nd birthday.  In celebration, I do what I always do to honor the birthday people... I post vids or articles about them.

    Enjoy!

    Happy Birthday Muhammad Ali!!





    Muhammad Ali - I Am The Greatest Speech

    Muhammad Ali makes his legendary 'I Am The Greatest' speech to reporters ahead of his 1964 world title bout with Sonny Liston.





    Muhammad Ali: The Greatest of all Time





    Muhammad Ali - Amazing Speed





    Muhammad Ali engaging in some of his famous trash talk





    For more info, please check out: 



    For other Muhammad Ali-related posts:


    Cus D'Amato would've been 106 today!



    One of the greatest boxing coaches ever IMO. His innate understanding that boxing was more mental than physical was unheard of. His identification of Fear being a major factor in the training of a fighter set him apart from the other coaches. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 77 from pneumonia and never got to see his protege, Mike Tyson, win the Heavyweight Championship.


    Happy Birthday Cus!





    Mike Tyson Tribute to Cus D'amato -- This One's for Cus
     





    Cus D'amato - Discover and Uncover Tribute 2013

    A tribute to one of the most Legendary Boxing Trainer/Manager Cus D'Amato.. He was a great trainer, a great manager but above all he was a far greater person. His connection with his fighters were much more personal than professional. He was a schoolar of Boxing, obsessed with the psychology of fighting & fear..






    Random clips of Cus and Floyd Patterson followed by Mike Tyson amateur fight plus interview




    Mike Tyson talks about his REAL Father Cus D'Amato




    For more info on Cus D'Amato:

    Thursday, January 16, 2014

    Happy 45th Birthday Roy Jones Jr!!

    Source pic:  8countnews



    In honor of Roy Jones Jr's 45th Birthday, I'm posting some videos.


    Enjoy!


    Happy Birthday Champ!!





    101 Boxing Lessons 




    Roy Jones Jr - Can't Be Touched (Best of Roy Jones)




    Roy Jones Jr. "Perfect Fighter" Highlights by Kimura




    Roy Jones Jr Highlights 




    Other Roy Jones Jr. related entries:




    For further info:


      Roy Jones Jr's Greatest Knockouts

      In celebration of Roy Jones Jr's birthday today, I'm posting the full video of his Greatest Knockouts.

      Enjoy!







      Happy Birthday Champ!




      Other Roy Jones Jr. related entries:




      For further info on Roy Jones Jr.:


      Roy Jones Jr. vs John Ruiz (Mar. 1, 2003)

      Roy Jones Jr. moved up to Heavyweight to try to be the first boxer in 106 years to win a title as a Middleweight as well as Heavyweight. His opponent, John Ruiz.

      Enjoy this piece of history!



      Roy Jones Jr. vs John Ruiz (Mar. 1, 2003)





      Other Roy Jones Jr. related entries:




      For further info on Roy Jones Jr.:


      Roy Jones Jr vs Clinton Woods (Sep. 7, 2002)

      Another dominating performance from Roy Jones Jr. This time it's against Clinton Woods.


      Enjoy!





      Roy Jones Jr vs Clinton Woods (Sep. 7, 2002)




      Other Roy Jones Jr. related entries:




      For further info on Roy Jones Jr.:


      Roy Jones Jr vs Reggie Johnson (June 5, 1999)

      One of the most dominating 12 round performances ever!

      Reggie Johnson was the IBF light heavyweight titleholder and Roy Jones Jr's opponent.


      Enjoy!





      Roy Jones Jr vs Reggie Johnson (June 5, 1999) 





      Other Roy Jones Jr. related entries:




      For further info on Roy Jones Jr.:


      Roy Jones Jr vs Virgil Hill (April 25, 1998)

      Look for the vicious body shot in the 4th round from Roy against Virgil Hill. Hill was a 1984 Olympic silver medalist as well as the WBA Light Heavyweight Champion and WBA Cruiserweight champion.

      Enjoy!





      Roy Jones Jr vs Virgil Hill (April 25, 1998)






      Other Roy Jones Jr. related entries:




      For further info:

      Roy Jones Jr vs Vinny Pazienza (June 24, 1995)

      Roy Jones Jr slaughters Vinny Pazienza and it's one of Roy's most vicious performances.

      Enjoy!



      Roy Jones Jr vs Vinny Pazienza (June 24, 1995)



      Roy Jones Jr slaughters Vinny Pazienza and it's one of Roy's most vicious performances.

      Enjoy!



      Roy Jones Jr vs Vinny Pazienza (June 24, 1995)





      Other Roy Jones Jr. related entries:




      For further info:



      For further info:

      Wednesday, January 15, 2014

      Happy Birthday Burton Richardson!!

      Source pic:  Burton Richardson/Facebook



      Happy Birthday to Burton Richardson! 

       Amongst his many honors and accomplishments, he is one of the Twelve Original Dog Brothers -- "Lucky Dog"!


      Posting some vids in his honor.

      Enjoy!





      Stick Fighting Analysis Burton "Lucky Dog" Richardson

      Burton Richardson analyzes a stick fighting session. Treating the sticks like swords to keep from trading blows. Keeping it real with Jay Fujimoto. Includes Ilustrisimo set-ups.


       


      Burton "Lucky Dog" Stick Fight Breakdown.mov

      A breakdown of a stick fighting session revealing the hard to see tactics and strategies essential to apply technique against a skilled opponent. Also relating the tactics to empty hand fighting. Thanks to my sparring partner Robert Koenig and to Shelton Yamashiro for assisting me with the explanation.





      Burton Richardson on Training and Performing Under Pressure (audio only)

      Stephan Kesting interviews Burton Richardson on how to train so that you can actually perform under pressure. They also discuss JKD, Kali, Silat, BJJ, MMA, Wrestling, Boxing, Kickboxing and what it all means for street self defense.




      For further info:

      Happy 49th Birthday Bernard Hopkins!


      Source pic:  Christinne Muschi/Reuters



      Today is Bernard Hopkins' 49th Birthday! The Executioner now known as The Alien is the oldest boxer to win a championship! And he is still fighting!

      Already posted some of his notable fights/opponents.

      Here are two clips for your viewing pleasure!

      Happy Birthday Champ! Many more to come (birthdays and maybe fights)




      Greatest Hits (HBO Boxing) 






      "Discipline" The Bernard Hopkins Episode Trailer






      Happy 49th Birthday Champ! 




      For further info: 




      Other Bernard Hopkins' entries:


      Bernard Hopkins Vs. Kelly Pavlik



      Happy Birthday B-Hop!

      Enjoy!



      Bernard Hopkins Vs. Kelly Pavlik (Oct. 18, 2008)





      For further info on Bernard Hopkins: 





      Other Bernard Hopkins' entries:


      Bernard Hopkins Vs. Oscar De La Hoya



      As if you didn't know by now that it's B-Hop's b-day, guess what? Yep, you are correct! Posting another fight in celebration.

      Enjoy!






      Bernard Hopkins Vs. Oscar De La Hoya 






      For further info on Bernard Hopkins: 

      Bernard Hopkins Vs. Felix Trinidad



      In honor of Bernard Hopkins' birthday, I'm posting this fight. Please check out B-Hop's fight against Trinidad.


      Enjoy!




      Bernard Hopkins Vs. Felix Trinidad (Sept. 29, 2001)





      For further info on Bernard Hopkins: 





      Other Bernard Hopkins' entries:


      Bernard Hopkins Vs. Roy Jones Jr I & II




      As today is Bernard Hopkins' birthday, here are 2 of The Alien's fights. The first one is a fight for the vacant IBF Middleweight Title against Roy Jones Jr. The 2nd is the long-awaited rematch with Roy Jones Jr.

      Enjoy!




      Bernard Hopkins Vs. Roy Jones Jr I (May 22, 1993)





      Bernard Hopkins Vs. Roy Jones Jr II (April 3, 2010)




      Sunday, January 12, 2014

      Beyond The Glory - Joe Frazier (Full video)

      Today's Joe Frazier 70th Birthdate. Please check out this documentary.

      Enjoy!



      Beyond the Glory - Joe Frazier





      For other entries on Smokin' Joe I've posted, please check out:



      For more information, please check out:




      NOTE:  I hate myself for missing this date in real-time, but I was busy with my family. Posted 1/13/14 as-of 1/12/14.

      Smokin' Joe Frazier Story (Full video)

      The Story of a Champion. Never released until now. Rare footage of Joe fighting, training and SINGING!

      Enjoy!





      Smokin' Joe Frazier Story





      For other entries on Smokin' Joe I've posted, please check out:



      For more information, please check out:




      NOTE:  I hate myself for missing this date in real-time, but I was busy with my family. Posted 1/13/14 as-of 1/12/14.


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