My answer, “Yes”. And here’s why: First, a great deal of the success that the Stars have experienced has been based on the effectiveness of Raymond Daniels, Jason Bourelly, Jack Felton and Donald Vickers. Each, are fighters drafted out of the sport karate ranks who have effectively developed their full contact fighting style without losing the tremendous speed and athleticism born from their tournament karate background.
If I were allowed to choose any coach in America to design a strategy to defeat this advantage it would be, not surprisinglyMike Conroy. Yes the sameMike Conroy, who in addition to being the coach of the New York Clash, was also one of the most successful karate competitors and sport karate team leaders in history.
Mike has known each of LA’s fearsome four since they were children and has successfully fielded fighters against each of them in the past. (In fact,Mike not only coached Jason Bourelly for two years but he was the best man in his wedding). Second, the bottom line is that in theWorld Combat League knockouts and knockdowns rule. And the New York Clash have turned their season around with big hitting. Leo Valdivia, AbrahamHan, Rino Belcastro and Rami Ibrahimhave scored a combined total of eight in their last two contests.
The addition of heavyweight K-1 powerhouse Patrick Barry, in a division where L.A. has struggled also strengthens the case for a Clash victory. So, can the New York Clash defeat the Los Angeles Stars?
Certainly the answer is, yes.Will they? That’s another question entirely. To borrow an expression from the NFL; “That’s why the game is played.” I'm just glad I'll have a good seat.
More can be found on the WCL at www.worldcombatleague.com
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Prokick News
Volume 1 issue 18 - 5 June 2008
WCL Turf Wars weekly Newsletter issue 18
The question, “Can anyone beat the LA Stars?” has been asked more times this year and by more people than could have possibly been anticipated back in October when the season began. Writes Corey Shafer,WCL Commissioner. Each team they've faced entered the Combat Zone with what they believed was a solid plan for doing so but clearly fell short when the final bell sounded. Now, with the league Championship looming, we look at the Cinderella New York Clash and pose the exact same question: Can they beat L.A.?
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