It’s Unanimous!

Humby Defends Super Welterweight Crown on Points over James Martinez

In a fight that had the capacity crowd at the Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood roaring with every punch and kick landed, Baxter “One Arm Bandit” Humby prevailed by unanimous decision last Saturday night to defend his Muay Thai World Super Welterweight championship over James Martinez. Being the main event on the card, Humby’s bout didn’t start until about 10 p.m. but spectators who stayed were treated to an exciting fight. Humby won all five rounds and when it was over the Palisadian’s hand was raised in victory. “I hit him with everything I had and he just wouldn’t go down,” Humby said. “My strategy was to work his body because that’s where he’s weakest, but he took it. I had him in trouble with a left hook in the third round but I couldn’t finish him.” Humby, who weighed in officially at 160–one pound lighter than his opponent, used a variety of kicks to keep Martinez off balance. “Technically, this was one of my best fights because he had some strong punches and I didn’t want to let him get lucky and take my title, so I just boxed him,” Humby said. “I made him missed and countered every time.” The 36-year-old fighter wants to stay as active as he was last year when he fought and won four times. He both trains and teaches at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center and the Palisades-Malibu YMCA. He is sponsored locally by Tivoli Cafe. “I’ve fought at least a dozen times at Hollywood Park Casino and enjoy it because this is so close to home and easy for my friends and fans to come and watch,” Humby added after upping his professional kickboxing record to 35-5 (13 knockouts). “I feel like I can’t lose right now so I want to fight four or five times a year to stay sharp.” Next on Humby’s calendar is a mixed martial arts bout in April in Brazil. Humby was born in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1974 and got his nickname because he his right arm was amputated at birth just below his elbow. After capturing the Canadian Super Welterweight Kickboxing Championship in 1996 Humby moved here to pursue his professional kickboxing career. Like Rocky, Sylvester Stallone’s mythical movie character, Humby is recognized all over town and each win he adds to his record adds to his legacy as well. “I’ve got so much support from so many people,” Humby said. “So yes, I have a lot to keep fighting for.”