American Muay Thai sensation Kevin Ross returns to the ring on Jan. 25

By Greg Boasberg

Last week, it was announced that AXS TV will bring full-rules Muay Thai to its network with “Lion Fight 8” on January 25 at “The Joint” inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. The main event will feature three time Lumpinee Stadium Champion Yodsanklai Fairtex against Frenchman Gregory Choplin.

Just 27 days prior to this match-up Yodsanklai will be in action against GLORY star Kem Sitsongpeenong at “Muay Thai Combat Mania” in Pattaya, Thailand on December 30. This fight will be a rare opportunity to see two high profile Thai fighters on the international circuit competing against one another.

Choplin isn’t very well known, at least not in the United States, but he is a very exciting, technical fighter who has fought on three previous Lion Fight events. At Lion Fight’s “Battle in the Desert 2” card in Primm, Nev., he lost to American sensation Ky Hollenbeck. He defeated Chaz Mulkey and up and coming Joseph Valtellini, both by unanimous decision, in his last two efforts.

Lion Fight announced yesterday that they have signed American Muay Thai icon Kevin Ross to a Ross has been inactive since October 2011, recuperating from ACL surgery. He lost his last two fights against top-level Thai competition in Saenchai Sor Kingstar and Sagetdao Petchpayathai, respectively.

Ross was dubbed the U.S. poster boy for Muay Thai, since defeating a number of champions, including Malaipet, Chike Lindsay and Coke Chunhawat.

Ross’ opponent hasn’t been announced yet, but rumor has it that it could be New York-based journeyman Chris Kwiatkowski, a former protégé of Muay Thai legend Coban Lookchaomaesaitong.  In the meantime, Kwiatkowski could have his hands full tonight when he squares off with hard-hitting Californian Jose Palacios.  Kwiatkowski is far from the caliber of opponent that Ross had been regularly mixing it up with, but given Lion Fight’s investment in Ross and Ross’ long layoff, it’s understandable.

“Kevin Ross, more than any other American, has sought out and fought the best Muay Thai fighters in the world, said Lion Fight Promotions CEO Scott Kent. “He has been an icon for Muay Thai in the U.S. for years and we are thrilled to have him on the Lion Fight team.”

Ross said, “I cannot express how happy I am that I can finally return to Muay Thai after having ACL Surgery. This is the sport I love, and it is my life. My goal has always been to fight the best opponents, for the best promotions to help prove to the International Muay Thai community that Americans can fight the best in the world…and can be the best in the world. Lion Fight has offered me a home and a fantastic platform to continue to follow my passion, they are working towards getting our sport the exposure it deserves and are building something really special and I am very happy to do my part and help them build it.”

Finally, the highly-anticipated showdown between WBC World Light Heavyweight (175 pounds) Champion Artem Levin of Russia and Canadian superstar Simon Marcus has been postponed for the third time.  The two were originally slated to face each other in June and, then November, before the second event was canceled entirely.

Marcus scored a third round KO with an elbow strike on Sadibou Sy in the main event of the “In Honor of the King” Muay Thai card at Raleigh Studios in Playa Vista.  The live Pay-Per-View televised event also saw Amanda Kelly earn a split decision over Julie Kitchen in the co-man event.

About the Author:

Greg Boasberg is the founder & editor of TOTALMUAYTHAI.COM One of the most comprehensive Muay Thai & Kickboxing Media Outlets in the World with all the latest News, Interviews, & Pictures in stand up fighting.