Sadly we go back in time. Proudly we now see that time is irrelevant as to the then and now of greatness. Respecfully and with what we may consider timeless is having the past meet the future. In his short life along with his multi-talented brother, Hilary Sandoval, they gave El Paso the first ever world champions in combat sports. What with all the near champions in boxing and karate, it was this twelve year old teenage wonder and his brother Hilary who forever put the championship stamp on El Paso; a short time for the unfortunate Tony who died in a plane crash and decades for Hilary who carried on the sensational management and promotions with a heavy heart but a continued legacy in honor of his fallen brother under the banner of their company, ‘Battlestar Karatica.
In the beginning, Tony was a very wise child. He was curious about the martial arts and the business aspects of the sport. While most pre-teens were still playing marbles, hop scotch, checkers, many fun childrens games or into youth sports like little league football, basketball, soccer, and track and field, Tony was into the martial arts and thinking business. To be fair, thousands of other kids had already joined various martial arts clubs and a few hundred were taking up boxing. Those kids and a few in their late teens or early twenties would soon provide Tony and his older brother Hilary a foundation for what would become one of the most supreme martial arts and kickboxing dynasty’s the world has ever known, ‘Battlestar Karatca.’ Though they were excellent martial arts students under Master Robert Nava, their good wits and unusual business acumen led them into the managing and promoting business.
Tony Sandoval was only twelve years of age when he and his older brother, Hilary Sandoval, eighteen years of age and only a few months out of high school, promoted their first professional kickboxing event. Special guests at that successful venture and many to follow included Chuck Norris, martial arts film stars Ernie Reyes Jr., Cynthia Rothrock, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and Rudy Ruettiger, the subject of the hit Disney movie ‘Rudy’. In 1980, Tony and Hilary promoted the first nationally televised ‘World Kickboxing Championship’ in the state of Texas. With El Paso, Texas as their home base they also co-promoted events in Phoenix, Arizona, Dallas, Midland, and Houston, Texas. The brothers personally worked with or promoted twenty one (21) World champions along with Strike Force founder Scott Coker and several other prominent promoters. They produced many great world champions in the PKA (Professional Kickboxing Association), especially seven-time world champion, Cliff ‘Magic’ Thomas; and Hilary was one of the original founders of ISKA (International Sport Karate Association).
For good measure, the brothers opened their first martial arts academy in 1988. And for the most historical El Paso sports promotion in ring combat, the Sandoval brothers managed and promoted Cliff ‘Magic’ Thomas to the his first of his seven world championships in five different weight divisions. The first in El Paso history was on August 9th, 1980 where Cliff took his first ever title at the featherweight division by stopping world champion Gordon Franks in three rounds. Amazing joy reigned supreme although a few hundred spectators were so taken mentally and physically there was concern by security that they might have to deal with pandemonium. Not to worry, the full house crowd at The El Paso Coliseum was ecstatic while a few went somewhat berserk over El Paso’s first ever world championship; but it was just a frenzy of total happiness - just electric. More stunning was the fact that it wasn’t seasoned veterans that brought the superior accomplishment to the border city. Surprisingly and shockingly to many in the kickboxing world and even our own boxing fans, it was the mighty teenagers, the Sandoval Brothers, years and years ahead of creating such magnificence - doing it right then and there in 1980. The fans celebrated this event with urgent fervor that evening as well as praise for the teenage brother wizards, Cliff’s trainers, and of course, Cliff ‘Magic’ Thomas.
Unfortunately, teenage genius Tony would be taken from this earth in a tragic plane crash over Tennessee which also snuffed out the lives of Hilary’s number one trainer of Cliff and other promising kickboxers. He was Demetirus ‘The Greek’ Havanas, the best legendary fighter and trainer in Texas. They were on their way to be with Cliff and Hilary, who had arrived a day earlier to fight ‘The King of The Bloodsport’, Paul Vizzio, on July 24th, 1981 at Bally’s Parkway Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey for the PKA World Super Lightweight Championship. The fight was also to be aired on NBC Sportsworld the following day.
Also killed on that fateful flight was the pilot, D.K. Price and the beautiful Karen Ruffin. Once the tragic news reached Hilary and Cliff it was a no-brainer that they would have to cancel the bout with Vizzio. However, in a stranger than fiction movie, emotional horror was to meet a challenge of daring psychology. Enter Middleweight Champion of The World, Bill ‘Superfoot’ Wallace. Though it was a meeting of sadness and gloom, Bill enticed Cliff to go with him on a stroll down the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk. That walk turned out to be spiritual, uplifting and dynamic.
The walk started out innocently with small talk and themes of soothing about the drastic disaster. Though Cliff was numb in mind and in a dark funk, Bill was persistent and persuasive in having Cliff think of the deeper soulful and mind training of his martial art and therefore the wherewithal to honor his fallen brethren by not only fighting Vizzio but moreover to thoroughly defeat him in his own backyard.
As Bill continued to press the significance of the correct path of martial artists, his persuasiveness finally touched Cliff’s inner spirit. As he was slowly coming out of his dark funk and daze he seemed to have a dreamlike reality of his team, especially Tony and Demetrius, beckoning to him at ringside. The visions were so realistic that Cliff could nearly touch them. Suddenly he blurted out to Bill, “I will do it. I will join my team at ringside and I will crush Paul Vizzio, ‘King of The Bloodsport’” “I will persevere.” And the ‘Die Was Cast.’
But wait a minute, Just what accomplishments did Vizzio have that prompted many experts to dub him with the moniker, ‘King of The Bloodsport?’ The teenage brain trust of Tony and Hilary seemed to have taken on an opponent that just might ruin their championship party. Well, they were required to give Gordon Franks a rematch for the title. Franks must have had bad dreams about the beating he took from Thomas and said, “No sir, not again.” The big brass at the PKA had put the pressure on the brother’s to sign Vizzio. Vizzio was a Jack of many martial arts disciplines and a monster knockout artist in full respect of that word. Ah, the Teen Team wasn’t too dumb to get easily suckered. They too had a plan, a plan to season up Cliff some more to have him at tip top shape and when the outcome was right, Vizzio would feel the might of the ‘Magic Man,’
Oops! They signed the 1st ranked kickboxer in the world, Richard Jackson, sporting a 20 – 3 record for Cliff’s Championship Belt to be battled in El Paso, Texas on August 9th, 1980. And when the action got a little spooky early on with Jackson charging hard at Cliff and winning many exchanges through the early rounds, there was a very nervous concern by Tony and Hilary. Ah, but their confidence was restored in the late rounds as Cliff took command of the furious exchanges and battered Jackson nearly into submission. At the end, two mighty warriors shook hands and the judges ruled the crown to Thomas. Was the Teen Machine manager - promoters relieved? Absolutely and their hearts quit thumping and all was glorious as R-E-S-P-E-C-T poured in from around the kickboxing world.
Vizzio Now? Not quite, Tony and Hilary wanted a little more of Demetrius’ teachings before tangling with the ‘King of The Bloodsport.’ After that deed was done and Demetrius declaring Cliff ready for war, Gary Ortiz of Santa Fe, New Mexico, off to a hot PKA start sporting a 9-2 record but winning most of his bouts by KO, was signed only a week after the Jackson victory. It was a non-title fight but a splendid move by the unbelievable Sandoval brothers to build Cliff’s endurance quickly. Cliff was expected to do his part and eventually head ‘Northeast’ to Vizzio’s backyard.
Interesting enough, Tony and Hilary were so popular after bringing El Paso its first ever world combat champion with Cliff that many more hopefuls sought them out. The teens signed them to Cliff’s program with Ortiz. And ‘Shazam’ another youngster destined for stardom, Joe Soto, ranked number one by the WKA, had already fought for the brothers and was signed on as a coach of Cliff, proved his worth on the undercard, April 19th, 1981, by edging out the number three contender, Tony Gutierrez, of Denver, Colorado in a match of the ages wherein Soto won most of the rounds with lightning fists and well-timed kicks. However, with only a few seconds in the final round left, Soto made an amateurish mistake, went soft on his defense while attacking and caught a spinning backfist from Guiterrez that floored him. Luckily, he was in great condition and popped up. Whew, the Teen Team avoided disaster just barely. And Soto, now 13-1-1 was to be in Cliff’s corner soon thereafter. Guiterrez, a Colorado State Golden Gloves Boxing Champion and outstanding martial artist, saw his record drop to 25-3.
Demetrius too was on the undercard. He fought future world champion, Johhny Mancayo. The bout was a bloody affair for both warriors with Demetrius’ excellent array of kicks striking Moncayo’s head and body organs the difference in a split decision. Then there was another budding kickboxer, Mike Murry, of the Sandoval Team. Murry beat Jaime Solorza while his teammate, Darryl Watts, edged a mighty talented kickboxer, Carl Lewis.
What an amazing two years for the Teen Team of Tony and Hilary Sandoval. They were forming a championship stable that eventually would be prominent for decades. Unfortunately, after this star - studded start, Tony, who with Hilary, planned the journey to New Jersey as they knew the time was right to take on Vizzio, could only be there in spirit. “If only” is all we can say had not lousy fate taken his and his fellow mates down in Tennessee. However, the fight was on and Tony and Demetrius were there in spirit in Cliff’s corner for one of the most spectacular and brutal fights in PKA history.
Just what were Vizzio’s credentials? Were they fact or fiction? Well, according to some records and Vizzio’s website, he had over 140 amateur boxing matches with multiple titles. He was 13-1 in PKA bouts. He fought fifty five bouts in Fu Jow Pai Kung and registered fifty four knockouts. As far-fetched as that claim seems, it is a fact that in 1972 he fought in Asia and took the Featherweight Championship. The bout was shown on Asian television and also was available on Asian radio. And in 1974, Vizzio pummeled a foe into submission and that bout too was on Asian television and radio. As improbable as it seems, Vizzio won a full contact Super Lightweight Championship shown on NBC. What an impressive and mighty opponent for Cliff to fight to say the least…and in Vizzio’s home base. But the reality is that this time it was not 1972, 1974 or 1976, it is 1981 and the ‘Year of The Magic’, Cliff ‘Magic’ Thomas that is and he was feeling awesome. As both champions leaped into the ring, Cliff was lean, mean, and hungry for action. Vizzio appeared well conditioned too. Cliff wanted and was pumped to the hilt to get his piece of ‘the King of The Bloodsport.’ And when the referee brought the two warriors to center ring, guess what? It was Vizzio who blinked on first eye contact. Perhaps it was an omen of who would win this match of significant worldwide importance. And there it was; the bell for round one and a blockbuster shocker in the making.
Thomas’ plan was to sidekick the shorter Vizzio; to set up lightning and cannon-like counter punches and combinations. His vaunted thundering left was poised for just the right moment and he was content in the 1st round to stave off the bull rushing Vizzio and adjust to the correct angle and distance to unleash his arsenal. By round two he had it all figured out. Vizzio kept pressing and Cliff, with his superb leg work and defense, led Vizzio into a deadly trap. Cliff pretended to be pushed to the ropes and when Vizzio attempted to uncork his own power, he was too late in recognizing his mistake. Cliff had shifted back just right to use the ropes as a springboard for his power left and he unleashed it straight at Vizzio’s jaw. Vizzio was on the canvas for the first time in his career. He had a befuddled look in his eyes as he shakily and wobbly rose to his feet. Moreover, the rowdy and pro Vizzio crowd suddenly went from ear shattering high decibels to a quiet murmur. The bell gave Vizzio a reprieve.
Round three now and a reckless Vizzio stupidly made his charge at Thomas, a charge which was met by the Magic Man’s quick roundhouse that smashed violently into the right jaw of Vizzio’s face like a sledge hammer. Down hard on the canvas for the second time, Vizzio was totally bewildered. He got up dazed and bewildered. Somehow he was able to clinch and hold to make it to round four. That was okay with Cliff and his upbeat corner. However, Vizzio smarted up a little and sidekicked and went into a defensive shell to survive the round and even used that strategy to get through round five although he was beaten relentlessly to the body and head by Cliff and was a bloody but brave foe by rounds end.
Round six was just a huge party for Cliff as he knew the end was nearing for Vizzio. Midway through the round, Cliff nailed him with a right-left-right combo, slid to an angle and drilled home a rocket of a left smack on Vizzio’s face and he crumbled to the canvas in such pain and hurt that the referee should have called the fight then and there. He didn’t and it would turn out to be a shameful mistake. Well, sort of. Cliff must have felt a bit sorry for Vizzio and kind of just coasted through round seven. However, in round eight he loaded up his power kicks and lightning fists and ripped Vizzio into shreds before sending him violently to the canvas again with a perfectly timed right uppercut followed by a devastating left hook to the chin. Maybe Vizzio was more courageous than Cliff and the Sandoval’s could believe. It was strange that Cliff had sent him into ‘la La Land’ and yet he had the resolve to get to round nine.
Cliff knew in his heart that his wounded foe would soon take his final fall and he started round nine with an air and confidence that signaled, “I Am “The Cock of the Walk.”And he proved it. He went after his wounded foe and after he unmercifully pummeled Vizzio early in the round, he dispatched the poor broken wretch with a double jab power left combination that again caught Vizzio’s chin and Holy Smokes, the punch was like exploding dynamite as it actually lifted Vizzio off his feet, up into the air and back nearly a yard before he fell mightily to the canvas and under the ropes suffered his figth trip to the canvas. Amazingly, he beat the count of Referee Jay T. Will. But all was futile, his jaw was now broken. He was so battered, bloodied and beaten back in his corner and unable to answer the bell for round ten. It was Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! And Cliff ‘Magic’ Thomas could well have earned the title of ‘The King Killer’ while Vizzio certainly deserved the honor of earning ‘A Badge of Courage.’ Cliff’s elation when the referee raised his hand in ‘Victory’ was cut short as his team members at ringside suddenly faded away into in a mist. Reality had struck hard.
As for the triumphant ‘Teen Team’ of dearly departed Tony and present Hilary, the glorious victory just accomplished was of brief euphoria and celebration, short-lived, as the matter of their beloved lost family and friends was sadly to be confronted and the weeping and sorrow was ever present.
The plane flight home to El Paso, Texas was sullen and bleak. Family, friends and the press were reluctant to speak much of the special victory. All that could be done was to lay the departed to rest. It was such a monumental win but such a major loss. However, for the record book of all time, Tony would be half of a Teen Team kickboxing promotion and managing legacy not likely to be ever repeated in history. it was a ten billion to one happening and though Tony’s life was snuffed out too soon, his role in the partnership is forever etched in kickboxing lore. In an aside, a well known multi-million dollar song by the WHO, ‘Teenage Wasteland,’ isn’t appropriate for Tony as his mountain of work as a teenager will never be surpassed. Never! A true fact: he is an icon without peer. May he rest in joyful peace forever and ever!
Conjuring up my own acronyms for the strength and brilliance of this magnificent team was pretty simple. Tony was the Biceps and Hilary the Triceps, Tony was the Frontal Lobes while Hilary was the Prefrontal Cortex. The rational and executive thinking of the two teenage brothers was breathtaking to say the least and nigh impossible.
Note: Hilary carried on the legacy of the brothers and with Tony spiritually always by his side, took their ‘Teen Team’ to unimagined heights, eventually managing and promoting twenty-one world champions. And Cliff ‘Magic’ Thomas stamped his own legacy by winning seven world championships in five different weight divisions.
May we once more tonight give our highest honor to the ‘Teen Team’ of Tony and Hilary Sandoval. Their genius and success is without question the greatest sports accomplishments in El Paso’s long fight history and in all of world history for their teenage accomplishments as ‘Battlestar Karatica.’
Thomas W. McKay
www.convictedartist.com
