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Magic! Magic! Magic!
Cliff 'Magic" Thomas, Kickboxing's Seven-Time World Champion, finally Retired His Last Belt At Age 48 in 2004. And fans, great news! the 'magic Man' has moved back to El Paso and is managing the America's Best Karate Academies for Hilary Sandoval. However, a book about this ICON of the sport who won his first PKA title with a 3rd round knockout over undefeated Gordon Franks as a 20-1 underdog is now available on a limited basis. The book is titled "THE BLACK KNIGHT OF KICKBOXING" CLIFF 'MAGIC' THOMAS' in "MAGIC! MAGIC! MAGIC!" And wonder of wonders, Cliff wasn't even supposed to live to age 14 because he was born with a hole in his heart the size of a silver dollar and patched together with 142 stitches. Fans around the world who remember the exploits and success of Cliff, arguably the greatest kickboxer of all time, can purchase the book, "Magic! Magic! Magic!" at Cliffmagicthomas.com, magicthomas.com or e-mail Tom McKay at tmckay@elp.rr.com. In case of a hurry, Paypal is available at the website or just call Tom at (915)591-6089.
The book covers some 45 of Cliff's 80 bouts and demonstrates the courage and will of a person born with a hole in his heart the size of a silver dollar and expected to die before age 14 to go on and become a world champion multiple times. As a matter of fact, seven times in five weight divisions. His career spanned over two decades and he was officially never knocked down although Thomas Chesterfield did manage to left hook him to one knee but the referee missed the touch. Cliff went on to knock Chesterfield out twice.
One of the most memorable chapters in the book (5), covers Thomas' superb bout against the amazing and talented Paul Vizzio in 1982 before millions of fans on NBC and ESPN. The night before the bout, Thomas' main trainer, the late and great blackbelt hall of famer, Demetrius Havanas, along with Thomas' manager, young Tony Sandoval,age 18, Karen Ruffin and D.K. Price (Cutman) of Dallas, Texas, were all killed in a small plane during a storm over Tennessee while on the way to New Jersey for the fight. Thomas was scheduled to be on the plane but a last minute change in plans put him on a national airlines.
After learning of the tragic crash,Thomas was going to cancel the fight but a memorable talk with BILL "SUPERFOOT" WALLACE, commentator for NBC and karate icon himself,led to the decision for the fight to continue. And what a fight! Thomas possibly gave his greatest effort ever in destroying Vizzio with five knockdowns and a 10th round TKO. Vizzio had never been down and was then and is today also one of the greatest and most feared kickboxers of all time.
Don't miss out on this book and don't miss out on reliving the memories of Cliff'Magic'Thomas, aka "The Black Knight Of Kickboxing." It is not a how-to book but a chronicle of the ups and downs of the "Magic Man" in the most wonderful sport ever concocted, PKA and ISKA Kickboxing.
The "Magic" is yours too with the purchase of the book. The magic has never left Cliff who has shown the most magnificent of longevity in his chosen sport....all that after a prognosis of early death. Come one, come all and enjoy the "Magic."
***Note: This Saturday, January 27, 2007, Cliff will be the honored guest at a major kickboxing show, "Battle On The Border III" at Speaking Rock Casino in El Paso, Texas.The latest eidition of the book just came out and it is a beauty and a great read as well.Other venues scheduled if you are interested are as follows (Some dates will be announced later): Marty Robbins Center in El Paso, Hollywood Davis Boxing/Karate in Odessa, Texas, L.A. Boxing in El Paso, Jiu-Jitsu of El Paso, AB Karate in El Paso, etc. Go to 'magicthomas.com' for more info. HAVE A HAPPY
Cliff Thomas
The Black Knight Of Kickboxing
Lety's Art
Send E-Mail to: tmckay@elp.rr.com
Copyright © 2007 Thomas W. McKay. All Rights Reserved