THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 5, 1994 TAG: 9408040250
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Lee Tolliver
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
Curtis Bush slowly made his way back to his corner, drowning in a pool of blood and emotion.
In the main event of a professional fight card last Thursday at Club Rogue's, Bush and opponent Kevin Hall were just into the second round of their scheduled 10-rounder when they butted heads.
Bush instantly backed away, knowing from the pain in his left eyebrow that he had been cut. The blood that quickly followed was proof.
The three-time International Sport Karate Association world champion ended up with 21 stitches - seven inside and 14 outside - and a ton of frustration.
``Man, things were just getting warmed up. The fight was just getting going,'' he said, still in the ring discussing a rematch with Hall.
The frustrating thing for Bush is that despite the fact he says he is fighting better, three of his last four fights have ended because of head butts.
``I hate injuries,'' said Bush, who has fought a combined 65 combined kickboxing and conventional boxing bouts. ``When you get injured, you have to take time off.''
Bush, who is constantly in training for potential kickboxing opportunities, is hoping that local sponsors will come up with the cash needed to hold his next shot at a fourth world title.
If they do, the fight will be held at the Pavilion either at the end of September or early October.
``That would really be great,'' said Bush, who won his last world title at the Pavilion in front of a packed house. ``I think the cut will be healed well enough by then.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
A bloodied Curtis Bush returns to his corner after butting heads
with Kevin Hall in the second round. Bush required 21 stitches.
ABOVE: Despite the enthusiasm shown by Don Jones, left, Mike Walker
and Walt Campbell, the ending of the Bush-Hall bout brought to a
close a disappointing night for fight fans. None of the 10 fights
made it past the second round and the two main events both ended
because of head-butt cuts. Six of the fights ended either in, or
just after, the first round. LEFT: Dorin Spivey, left, defeated Rob
McClenny by TKO.
by CNB