Baxter Humby started the new year off right by winning a unanimous decision over European champion Benito Caupain of Holland to defend his International Muay Thai Council super welterweight championship January 11 at the San Manuel Casino. Humby, known as the “One-Armed Bandit,” earned Palisadian-Post Athlete of the Year honors in 2006 after fighting five times in California without a loss and adding two title belts to his collection. Humby, who lives near The Village and teaches kickboxing classes at the Palisades-Malibu YMCA and Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center, currently holds four world title belts. Born without most of his right arm, Humby has risen to the top of his profession through dedicated training and the mentality that he cannot be beat. He was fighting with only one glove because the bout was full rules Muay Thai, where elbows are allowed. “A lot of my opponents underestimated me in the beginning because of my so-called handicap,” Humby said. “But I’ve won enough fights now that I’m pretty well respected. Most of the time now I’m the main event on the card. When I’m not in training I walk around at about 160 pounds but 150 to 154 is my ideal fighting weight.” That was the case in Humby’s most recent defense, which he dominated from start to finish. Humby used his quick and powerful side kicks to keep Caupain off balance and set up his powerful left hand, which he landed frequently throughout the fight. He knocked Caupain down with a side kick in the third round. With the points victory, Humby improved his professional record to 29-4 with nine knockouts. He is the IKKC Intercontinental Super Welterweight, IMTC Super Welterweight, XTMC Super Welterweight, WMTF Middleweight and Japanese Shootboxing Welterweight champion.
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