Steven Malanosk
09-09-2003, 07:26 AM
Dear Mr. Velez,
You are right. I learned an embarrassing lesson from you. You are the mentor I never had.
And, you hit with unmatched power. Please allow me to get back to my feet and respectfully respond, admit my mistake, and give you and your esteemed friends from Puerto Rico my sincere apology.
An apology is an admission of error and discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret. Sometimes, this is not enough. I understand that my comments may have gone beyond the limits of forgiveness, and that there is no way I should be excused based on a public apology. Martial artists are very sensitive to many things, comments about their style, their lack of skill, their backgrounds, their looks, or their ethnic background. All of these things represent deep personal pride to the individual.
I have five rules I try to live by. Never attack ones physical looks, their personal philosophy, their values, their intelligence, or their culture. I failed this constitution and breached these five tenants I live by.
I owe you guys more than an apology. Please, let's talk.
I was trained in boxing gyms in California. My first trainer, Joey Orbillo, was of Latino decent. all the guys in the gym were either Latino or Black. They used to always make fun of me as the blue eyed, blond haired karate guy who couldn't fight. That was the old school way I was brought up in the sixties and seventies. Times have changed, yet I failed to change with them.
One of my sparring partners was Cuban. We loved each other. Many of my friends are from Puerto Rico, and also many of my students who have become champions.
The owner of the equipment company whos equipment I endorse, and who worked with me for two years to design and develop the best kickboxing gear in the world is from Puerto Rico. He used to be the President of Everlast boxing equipment. After years of me trying to work with various other companies and con artists from those companies, this man and I bonded together, trusted each other, and together designed and manufactured the industry's best kickboxing gear. The company is IKON, the gear I wore at the seminar.
My Puertorrican friend's name and boss I work with is Charles Ferrer. The only equipment I use and endorse was created by someone from your island. You should be proud. I am.
He is personal friends with Trinidad's Father. Both of us are devout fans of Felix and have always been. His Father told us that his son didn't train for the Hopkins fight. That was not a put down I made about Felix. I wanted the seminar participants to understand broken rhythm, the tactic Hopkins used in the fight. I have never been a Hopkins fan.
NAPMA has nothing to do with any of my seminars. I set everything up myself without their knowledge. I do not work for NAPMA, nor am I on their payroll. Only I am responsible for my actions.
Let's be friends and turn this negative into a positive.
Joe Lewis
You are right. I learned an embarrassing lesson from you. You are the mentor I never had.
And, you hit with unmatched power. Please allow me to get back to my feet and respectfully respond, admit my mistake, and give you and your esteemed friends from Puerto Rico my sincere apology.
An apology is an admission of error and discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret. Sometimes, this is not enough. I understand that my comments may have gone beyond the limits of forgiveness, and that there is no way I should be excused based on a public apology. Martial artists are very sensitive to many things, comments about their style, their lack of skill, their backgrounds, their looks, or their ethnic background. All of these things represent deep personal pride to the individual.
I have five rules I try to live by. Never attack ones physical looks, their personal philosophy, their values, their intelligence, or their culture. I failed this constitution and breached these five tenants I live by.
I owe you guys more than an apology. Please, let's talk.
I was trained in boxing gyms in California. My first trainer, Joey Orbillo, was of Latino decent. all the guys in the gym were either Latino or Black. They used to always make fun of me as the blue eyed, blond haired karate guy who couldn't fight. That was the old school way I was brought up in the sixties and seventies. Times have changed, yet I failed to change with them.
One of my sparring partners was Cuban. We loved each other. Many of my friends are from Puerto Rico, and also many of my students who have become champions.
The owner of the equipment company whos equipment I endorse, and who worked with me for two years to design and develop the best kickboxing gear in the world is from Puerto Rico. He used to be the President of Everlast boxing equipment. After years of me trying to work with various other companies and con artists from those companies, this man and I bonded together, trusted each other, and together designed and manufactured the industry's best kickboxing gear. The company is IKON, the gear I wore at the seminar.
My Puertorrican friend's name and boss I work with is Charles Ferrer. The only equipment I use and endorse was created by someone from your island. You should be proud. I am.
He is personal friends with Trinidad's Father. Both of us are devout fans of Felix and have always been. His Father told us that his son didn't train for the Hopkins fight. That was not a put down I made about Felix. I wanted the seminar participants to understand broken rhythm, the tactic Hopkins used in the fight. I have never been a Hopkins fan.
NAPMA has nothing to do with any of my seminars. I set everything up myself without their knowledge. I do not work for NAPMA, nor am I on their payroll. Only I am responsible for my actions.
Let's be friends and turn this negative into a positive.
Joe Lewis