Derek Panza

Derek Panza (born February 16, 1971) is an American kickboxer and boxer from Queens, New York. He was the ISKA Full Contact World Champion and held both the PKF and USKBA world titles as well. He is undefeated as a professional boxer with a record of 7-0.^[1] He currently trains fighters at his Gym Panza MMA inside world champion power lifter and bodybuilder Bev Francis' Powerhouse Gym.

Biography and career

Panza was born in New York. He started training in Shotokan Karate at the age of 8, by the time he was 14 he was promoted to Black Belt, earning the rank of assistant martial arts instructor. In 1986 at the age of 15 he won first place in kumite at National Junior Karate Championships. Panza fought in sport karate as a member of the United States Karate Team and Paul Mitchell Sport Karate Team.

In 1997, Panza won his first World Kickboxing Championship by Knocking out UFC Legend Pat Smith.^[2] he would go on to Capture the Prestigious ISKA World Heavyweight Kickboxing Championship with a Unanimous Decision win over England’s Simon Dore. Panza was also one of the original fighters that fought in the World Combat League, produced by Chuck Norris. After fighting for the WCL, Panza was appointed Head Coach for the World Combat League Team “The New York Clash”.

Notable wins

• KO of UFC Veteran Larry Cureton

• KO of UFC Veteran Dwayne Casom

• KO of UFC and K-1 Veteran Patrick Smith

• KO of K-1 Veteran Dennis Lane

• Unanimous Win Over K-1 Veteran Kelly Leo

• Unanimous Win over Sabaki Challenge Champion Clarence Thatch

• Unanimous Win over Simon Dore for ISKA World Championship

Accomplishments

He has trained fighters two World Championships, World Kickboxing Champion Tim Lane, and IFL Champion Deividas Taurosevičius who currently competes in the WEC. Panza has also prepared professional fighters for their matches in UFC and Pride Fighting Championships including Lion’s Den standouts Guy Mezger and Pete Williams. He also trained Stuttering John Melendez, 175 lbs, of the Howard Stern Show to victory against K-Rock DJ Crazy Cabbie, 260 lbs, in their celebrity boxing match.

He wrote a monthly column called “Puncher’s Corner” in Full Contact Fighter Magazine for six years. This was an instructional column including basic striking technique, advanced technique, fight strategy, and training methods. He has made several TV appearances on The Howard Stern Show, ESPN2, Martial Arts World, and has had fights featured on MSG, ESPN2, and VS Network. Panza also has his own fitness video "Start-Punching" With Derek Panza designed to yield aerobic benefits while maintaining an overall focus on throwing the six styles of punches that create maximum impact.^[3]

Currently Panza is featured on FitnessRxmag.com giving functional training advice. Derek has worked as a spokesperson for Met-Rx Nutrition and has been featured in countless martial arts and fitness magazines and books for both fight career coverage as well as giving training insight and instruction. Some of the books and magazines featuring Panza are “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Kickboxing,” “Black Belt Magazine,” “Fight Sport Magazine,” “Ultimate Fighter Magazine,” “Full Contact Fighter Magazine,” “Axle Magazine,” “Met Rx Magazine,” and “Fitness Rx Magazine.” Panza has made numerous TV appearances on The Howard Stern Show, ESPN2, Martial Arts World, and has had fights featured on MSG, ESPN2, and Vs Network.

World Cagefighting Alliance

Currently Panza is the President of the World Cagefighting Alliance.^[4] The WCA is a Mixed Martial Arts fight promotion company that is currently producing professional fights in Atlantic City.

References