New pro boxer also a 2nd degree black belt
You might call boxer Nam Phan something of an overachiever.
The fighter began Tae Kwon Do at a young age–just four. By 16, he had already earned his 2nd degree black belt in Vietnamese combat martial arts. He is founder of the Ma Du Academy where boxing, Muay Thai, and Jiu-Jitsu are all taught. And Phan, just 26, is also a trainer at the academy that bears his own name, the Nam Phan MMA Academy. And if that’s not enough, after nine years of training, Phan, will be receiving his black belt in Jiu-Jitsu on July 18th.
But tonight the talented pugilist will be wearing his “trainer” hat as he will be in the corner with one of his students, Kenny Quach, in an All Star Boxing show at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California.
I had a chance to catch up with the skilled fighter at yesterday’s weigh-in.
Phan first began boxing to “get better hands” and soon wanted to compete on a pro level as a light middleweight.
For boxing matches, Phan trains with Art James and Punchout. As a pro fighter, he already has three wins and just one loss to the tough Max Skayzer.
But the Vietnamese fighter thinks he won that bout which was declared a unanimous decision after six rounds. When I tell him that Skayzer, with a record of 7-0-1, is starting to get his name out there with a big local following, Phan is surprised and states, “Is he really?!”
When I question his reaction, the boxer and mixed martial arts specialist talks about that November matchup against “Mad” Max, “I thought I won. In his corner, they were the most depressed winners ever before the announcement came. I saw their sad faces! And I thought, ‘Oh, man. I got this one.’ I was sure I won.
“I outpunched him too. I spend only 1/2 my time boxing, he should’ve beaten my ass. He couldn’t finish me. But I didn’t feel like I lost, I feel like I won–I thought I’d beat his ass!”
Well, maybe there will be a rematch with the Russian in the future. Phan says he’s looking forward to getting back into the boxing ring again soon.
The accomplished athlete, still just in his twenties, has already succeeded in WEC and King of the Cage competitions in the MMA’s lightweight division.
But the well-regarded Phan gives boxing its due respect. “The difference is that in boxing, you are always competing,” the Garden Grove resident explains. “In MMA, there’s less pounding. If you get hurt, you can go down. But in boxing, you have to take the pounding whether you like it or not–there’s no way out!”
Born in Fountain Valley, California, the Asian fighter’s heritage is something he is proud of. While competing, Phan displays both the American and South Vietnamese flag on his clothing as a symbol of his pride and freedom in the U.S. and also the pride of his lost homeland.
As far as any current boxer that he admires, Phan gives praise to his favorite fighter, Manny Pacquaio. “I have to support my ‘Asian brother’!” he quips.
Tonight he will be watching over his lightweight Kenny Quach as he takes on Musa Tolliver in a lightweight battle during All Star Boxing’s Live MMA show.
His student gives high marks to his coach. Quach tells me, “Nam’s great; he understands a fighter and he knows all the answers.” The two have been training together for over a year.
Promoters Ed Holmes and Pete Hironaka have long hosted live boxing shows several times a year, but due to the popularity of an ever-growing sport, they are now producing mixed martial arts shows as well. But the duo have no plans of abandoning their boxing shows; their next live boxing card will be on August 20th at Commerce Casino.
They insist they can promote both boxing and MMA, the best of both worlds for their fans. “This is just our third MMA show,” says matchmaker Hironaka. “It’s always a sellout, Friday night will be crazy. And we always have special guests show up. Last time, Cyborg was at our show.”
All Star Boxing will feature seven bouts in the round cage on Friday night’s card. Holmes, a boxing aficionado for decades, also enjoys producing the occasional MMA show, “Our shows are great and we’re ready to rock and roll.”
And for all fans in attendance at tonight’s show, look for the boxing “Phan” in the corner!
All Star Boxing
“Conquest in the Cage III”
Tonight, July 10th
Doors open 6:30/ First fight 7:30 p.m.
Quiet Cannon in Montebello, CA
For tickets: (323) 816-6200
Photos by Michele Chong: Weigh-in at Quiet Cannon, Nam (gray shirt) with Kenny (blue shirt)