While Tommy "Bee" Bottone is primarily known for his American rules, above the waist kickboxing world title, he was also an amateur San Shou champion and has trained many fighters who have competed in the format. The question was whether he would be able to shake the rust of those skills, as he had not fought San Shou in close to a decade. Still, some, perhaps even Tommy himself, saw this as more of a prelude to a bigger fight, between Tommy and former San Shou champion Jason Yee of Boston, MA.
Peter "F-16" Kaljevic had fought San Shou at the professional level at least three times before the match but with mixed results. He had traveled to China to fight a member of China's national team and had lost on points. He had also fought former Iranian national champion Reaza Abassi and had won a close but controversial decision. Peter was most known for his recent match against Rudi Ott of San Jose, CA. Many consider Ott the #1 professional San Shou fighter in the weight range, and Rudi had beaten Peter convincingly. Many thought that after Tommy had watched Ott vs Kaljevic, he had thought that Kaljevic might be a good "warm up" for a fight with Jason Yee.
Certainly, aspects of Bottone's game plan seemed to reflect his observations of the match with Ott. Tommy showed good wrestling skills, and tried hard to throw Kaljevic at every opportunity. The most memorable of these throws was Tommy's suplex. As clean and as beautiful as any one Cung Le has used. But the fight was not ultimately decided on throws alone.
Round 1 -
Bottone comes out in a south paw (right side forward stance). This surprised many, only those who had seen Tommy's San Shou fights remembered his south paw stance. Kaljevic is characteristicly slow in the first round and Tommy lands repeated leg kicks and works his side kick. Kaljevic throws a few kicks, blocked or missing. ROUND BOTTONE on all three score cards.
Round 2 -
To the surprise of everyone, the judges included, Kaljevic is awake early in the fight. His strategy immediately becomes obvious. Kaljevic figures that he has more experience in the no pads/low kick game and starts throwing hard round kicks to the legs, body and head. Bottone blocks many, but with noticeable pain. Two judges give Kaljevic the round.
Round 3 -
A wide awake Kaljevic presses the action with Bottone. Bottone fights back with techique and tenacity. The third round starts to announce this will be a great fight. The audience loves it. Two judges give the round to Bottone.
Round 4 -
What is now being considered a "controversial" round. The round might be called the question of "quantity" over "quality". Bottone uses some high level technique, but Kaljevic keeps chopping away with hard kicks. Ventura gives round to BOTTONE, Ingargiola gives round to KALJEVIC. Judge Ross has Bottone ahead until end of round, when a number of leg kicks land, and Ross gives round to KALJEVIC.
Round 5 -
Bottone's footwork betrays extend of leg kick damage. Kaljevic is wide awake and working. ROUND KALJEVIC on all three judges card.
After the fight, Bottone and his camp express dissatisfaction with decision. Bottone's description of the match claims he clearly won four of the five rounds. Judges clearly did not see it this way. This web site has requested a video of the match in order to do a technique by technique break down. When and if we receive a video, we will do just that.