About Ronnie Green and my website.

Ronnie Green 2012

Hello my name is Ronnie Green, and welcome to my site.

This website is my way of saying ‘Thanks to the people of Thailand.’

For many young men in the West, fighting is a big thing. I remember when I was seven. A young lad started on me at school, we got into a fight. I got the better of him, but still, while I was winning I started to bang his head on the floor. In my mind I was in the right to do that, ‘at the time’. When the teacher pulled me off, I still believed I was in the right because I didn’t start the fight, the other lad did. But, deep down, even at an early age I knew it was not right, it frightened me because I knew better than that.

So I stopped fighting because the fear I felt worked the other way. I couldn’t bring myself to fight and I then went through my own personal battle, should I fight or should I not? Is it right like that, to go all the way? It made me think…

To many, the philosophy in the West is ‘Get them before they get you!’

 

After that I decided I wanted to learn self-defence, I wanted to understand how ‘violence breeds violence’. The Martial Arts Books I have read all talk about a frame of mind. A way of self-defence, it was different to what I thought, it was about if someone attacks you not about attacking others.

It’s about ‘self-preservation and protection’.

Ronnie Green Seminar for Polish Community 2008

Click here for SENI 08 Seminar with Pat O'Keeffe

I started Judo in 1972, with instructors Dave Glevely, John Best and Mike Ford. John Best and Mike Ford also taught people Shotakan Karate,  back then me and my older brother Derek Brown used to trained with friends in the back garden, dancing and fighting. Then in 1973 Bruce Lee the Chinese Kung Fu martial artist died, the world was devastated. 

How to be 'The Dragon' lesson, by Bruce Lee, the Father of MMA and Global  Martial Arts, R.I.P. 

 

Dance lessons by James Brown, Great Footwork,  R.I.P.

One of our friends at the time Brian Seabright, was learning a new sport called ‘Full-Contact Karate’. He was a very good fighter and in a new fighting system, which was very popular in the USA. It was growing and getting bigger in Europe.

I was first introduced to Thai boxing via a book I bought from a shop called Oriental World. Brian Seabright worked here, and so did the late Danny Connors. These two gave much, and gave many, the opportunity to see the Thai Masters doing demonstrations, up and down the UK.

  

 

Grand Master Krin, Grand Master Woody, Grand Master A and Grand Master Toody

 

The first Thai Master I met was Master Kriangsak Sirisambhand. The first thing I noticed, was his greeting – a really ‘big smile’ and a welcome that was strange for the time!

When anyone, could walk into a Martial Arts Gym, And this was the greeting you get. I got it all from the Thai Master. I was humbled, instantly. A warm smile and this was what drew me to it!

The Art of Muay Thai, …Thai Boxing, …I started instantly!

In 1979, I had just turned eighteen years old. I had only been training for one year at this art. My first competition was against a Real Thai fighter. He was from a famous Thai boxing camp in Thailand - Munsirain Camp. And, when I think, back in those days, Thai fighters were beating all the top fighters in Europe.

After that fight, I had four fights in Europe, all against Thai’s. And I beat them! As far as I know, there had not been anyone before me, with so little experience, that had been so successful.

England had no history of the art of Thai Boxing, it was new. We had Kick Boxing - and England over boasted about being successful at it.

Being a beginner, I believed in it, as a system, a form of self-defence. An art. Like dancing, I knew it was right!

Ali's cookery lesson, not just a fighter and a butterfly. Nuff respect!

Anything that looked that open, look at Muhammad Ali. Ali had ‘a way’ - he had his hands down, you could see he was open. But he knew how to work it to his best advantage. He got results!

Ali's lesson in 'how not to look at someone! Always be infront!

My first visit back to Thailand was in 1983. I had been invited here to fight here. I had knocked out … in the competition their ‘Number 1 Contender’, who had been competing all over Europe and beating the top Europeans. He was from Ratchadamnern Stadium. He was a big name here in Thailand - Wontenner Sudderay.

 

I was to fight him again? This was the fight where the Thai people got the chance to see a young, black British Thai boxer, from Gun Chester, fighting in their homeland.

I had to train. I was the only British person training in the camp. It brings back memories. I did not know what to expect. Would I have the cheers of the Thai crowd on my side?

I became one of the fighters known as Nuk Muay Thai. I was British, and I moved into the camp! We’ fought in Thailand and Hong Kong. We fought Thai’s, we fought Burmese, Cambodians and the Chinese.

A Manchester lad, the first to fight in this stadium. Ratchadmnern, Bangkok.

 I am the first British person to fight at the Mecca of Thai boxing. I will always remember this journey to Thailand - not knowing what to expect.

I have fought in Europe, countries like Holland and France. Only in the UK was the Ram Muay practised, it was part of our learning, a special way.

Back in 2007, I was at the World Amature Championships. The relaxed way, the Thai way. Welcome to Thailand yet again. Being here at the World Amateur Championships, and for me to be there and watch Joseph Tomlin age ten from England represent his country, means my journey was worth it!

Joseph Tomlin age 10, World Amatuer Champion, Thailand, Bangkok 2007

Welldone Joe and Knuckles Muay Thai

I wanted people to see what I was lucky to have been shown. Shown how real strong people act towards others. In my household this was the actions of my own family. So when I come here, this is what I notice with the Thai people. Thai Boxing here doesn’t have a savage side, a side, which I have witnessed many times in the west. In the west it is about fighting the barbaric way, choose a side, kill ‘em!

No wonder the people in the West are concerned about these sports! With that way of thinking, how could we have two young lads competing in the ring. It’s fighting.

We have enough violence in the world. To prime a young mind for attacking and purposely going out to hurt someone is wrong. Why is it this the way in the West? What good comes of it? And when you look at it, the Western way, the purpose and the ‘mind set’ in the fight, is to ‘big yourself up’, because you have hurt someone. What good can come of this sport If everything is about a ‘western mind’ set on being vicious and victorious?

I look at the fight and I ask myself, ‘is it right to support this?’ For European countries that have a history that goes back a long way for fighting aggressive. They fight a war where they use the ideals of sport and rules to go out to hurt someone. The cheers of the supporters sometimes leaves the winner to support the crowd favourite, even though he’s the loser. I wonder, what goes through those two young fighters minds?

Lee Green competing in the World Amatuer Championships 2007

I am here with my son. As a parent, the last thing you want is for them to be hurt! Our western minds feed on the anger to get mad. And yet, my mind is clear! Respect is where the sport begins!

Thai boxing is about skill, or is it? As my son goes through the rounds, I know were he gets it from. From the movement, the timing, the speed, his mind is clear, the attack is effortless, yet overpowering, but graceful! I know where he gets it from, the art of Muay Thai. Muay Thai is effective, because I have found it to be.

But, am I happy with my violent son? Am I rewarding him for his violence, or is it skill? What good can come of it? Is it another win to come back to England and boast about being a Thai boxer?

Most of the people I know from the West big themselves up, just for western recognition of having done some Thai boxing. I Laugh.

Too many photos of the bars, the girls, the stadiums, the fights and how important ‘they’ themselves are! Many show only a tiny side of Thailand!

Muay Thai, once it was a system which was laughed at by many, people who just haven’t got what it takes to go to Thailand and try it there. If only they knew!

“Westernise it”, many say. Why was Asia Contender hosted outside Thailand? That is a JOKE, it was only good for western organisations pretending to be Thai? I don’t think it would be correct to for Thai’s to hold the Australian Beer Championships in Manchester, to be fair. I Laugh again.

Get rid of the funny music, the dance, the Mongkong and just have a fight? No elbows, no knees, Kick Boxing! And it seems that there’s a small handful of Thai people who would sell it that way too, just to make it more popular.

Thai boxing is more then a sport with rules, it’s a way of life. To many Thai’s, it provides life. There are around 68,000 Thai boxers in Thailand, 6,000 boxers in the USA. It comes from the Thai people. And to have all those young men, who are skilful, who all have a code of conduct. Disciplined, who would all fight for their King and country. Yet these, look down on fighting in the street.

I have seen many 'Falang' come to Thailand and fall in love with the sport, the fighters, not just for their success but the way they are. You fall in love with the way the Thai people respect each other.

You see young strong men, who use their strength for good. And for a better way of life. And now, I understand why you can smile in the fight. And no longer have to hate! Physical does not have to be violent in ‘Art’. Like dance, a true artist is willing to share what is their vision. It can be shared, expression as an artist.

Our medium is fighting! The Art of fighting, Muay Thai! Not violence!

The pace of life in Thailand is relaxed and so is the pace in training. The sport is also a way for them to earn a living for their families and futures.

Many people want to change this art, this way. But you tell me, what do you think?

No music.

No Dance.

Just the fight, the Western way.

Take the sportsmanship out of it? Let the thugs rule? Gang culture? Can the West change for the best?

Do we forget the traditional way? Or do we make it more westernised? In the past, even some of the Thai nationals have bent their way, just to keep the West happy! Why? So they can take part, be let in ‘to the West!’ In the West, it is really about a misunderstanding of what could benefit both sides! East and West!

The Thai’s are already strong. They have nothing to hide. So the greeting with a smile is true and honest, open!

Like all, they do have a darker side! Which nation doesn’t? But, with the Thai’s, it is kept out of the way. For it is to build a more healthy body and mind.

In the sport it is how you handle yourself in the fight that matters. There is danger, but the skill lets you compete. You see how. How you can reduce the risk and defuse the fight? Many people think that Thai’s can’t box, I laugh!

Not many know that Western boxing helped to change Thai boxing. In 1930, Queensbury rules came to Thailand; the weight training equipment, boxing gloves, even boxing rounds, and yes, the boxing ring. Introduced and taken on board. The Thai’s changed quickly. That is why Thai boxing, still today, is fought with boxing gloves, in a boxing ring with time restricted rounds and a referee. ‘East meets West’.

Also, in the Thai camps, there’s a friendly welcome to all who have an interest in Thai boxing. It’s the same as Western boxing around the world. Its popularity has also helped Western boxing and its fighters.

Just look at Amir Khan, his trainer is a former world Thai boxing champion, Oliver Harrison!

However, you personally may not want your child to take to the ring, the phobias which we all have. For most in the West, it is the violence, which they know! And, how to use it, against others.

I would say too many do not look at others who would promote from the West, it is the unsung hero in the camps who are fighting for their future in the stadiums who we should look at, Thai boxers Thailand unsung hero.

Fighters that have a moral fabric. Where their skills are used in the camps for the good of their future. And it would be these humble young lads that would be the first to fight for their King and Country. A King and country that they love.

I lived as a fighter in Thailand, and I was looked after second to none. Not too much can be said. It’s best if you see it for yourself. Go to Thailand. I would like them to tell the story. Just by their actions, hard training.

Turning them into men, men that care. They have exceptional skills, many like me go over to train with the boxers of Thailand to learn from them.

Unfortunately I see too many ‘Honkers’ (as we shall call them) going over to the camps of Thailand for the wrong reasons.

Thai boxing has a side to the sport where camps pit there skills against one another. It seems to be ‘a way’, a way that the Thai’s themselves deal with their anger. To tame it. To control it, even in the ring, unlike that of the West.

‘Kru’ means teacher and is part of Thai culture, it’s built on respect. And to help the younger person deal with anger correctly. To be bigger and better fuels the fights in the West. But for the Thai fighters they have an honour that they follow. And follow all their life - to show a good side to everyone.

In hard times, be positive.

On learning martial arts, the true Thai boxer would never show off! Only in the fight. Acting tough, is not the way.

Particularly in the camps.

Look, the pad holder simulates the action of an attacking boxer. The fighter, counters with punches and elbows, day in, day out. The boxer is always training to react. Improve the reaction.

The young ones work on the bag. It’s not just hitting hard. They learn timing, learn the movement, how and when to land on the bag. Reads it as his opponent. Bags help with the visual side of training and helps strengthen their technique.

Running and skipping plays an important part in training. Again, not rushing, being patient. The knowledge that is fed to the boxer is shared out to the younger ones.

The Kru doesn’t have to say too much, the training is repeated daily and as they watch, they grow!

        

          ‘Grow with the hand and the heart of a good boxer.’  GM Kwan & Ronnie

                              Quote: Grand Master Kwan Robcop 2007

  

Having to fight for their success and future in a sport, that makes champions the Thai way. Which when you are bitten, you are bitten by the bug of Thai boxing. One of the best fighting sports, of the entire martial arts world.

Thai boxers in Thailand are in one way Shaolin monks of their own ancient art. They defend themselves with the expertise of movement, this hidden art has the interest of the whole world. Everyone sees the striking side of Thai boxing and its effectiveness and many only know it as a form of fighting.

Thai boxing is gaining recognition. This other side of the Thai needs to be shown!

 

Consider this, UFC, Cage Rage and MMA……Your main striking art is?  Muay Thai of course!

 

Welcome to my website

Master Ronnie Green’s Simingdam

By R Green, August 2008

Dedicate to my Mum, with Love XXX

  

  

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