Gladiator Profiles - Mike Sheppard

"LIGHTNING" MIKE SHEPPARD

KING OF THE GLADIATORS II CHAMPION

Fight Discipline: Kickboxing

Gym: Ramsey Gym

Trainer: Leon Ramsey

Hometown: Palestine, WV

Date of Birth: 5.25.75

Weight: 218 lbs

Height: 6’ 2"

Titles & Accomplishments:

2 Time F/X Toughman Boxing Champion

Kickboxing Gladiators Colosseum Record:

9.9.04 vs. Kelly Leo Lost 5 rd Split Dec

11.13.04 vs. Andre Walker Won by 1st round DQ

11.13.04 vs. Scott Lighty Won by 1st round KO

11.13.04 vs. Horace Craft Won 1st round KO

INTERVIEW WITH MIKE SHEPPARD
BY STAFF CORRESPONDENT BRIAN SMITH

(Wednesday, November 3, 2004 - Milwaukee, WI USA) "Lightning" Mike Sheppard is a young, strong and well-rounded athlete. The kind of athlete a father would pray for. He modestly considers himself kind of a county kid who likes to hunt in the open fields of Palentine, WV. He has made quite a name for himself at home as a State Champion Wrestler and a Glenville State College linebacker.

Sheppard has also compiled a pro-boxing record of 8-5-1 with 5 KO’s and a MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) record of 6-1-1 with 1 "No Contest." His kickboxing record stands at 12-4-1 with 11 KO’s. He is the ISKA third ranked Super Heavyweight kickboxer in the world. He recently stopped and took a few moments to chat about his upcoming trip to Milwaukee for the "KIng of the Gladiators" Tournament.

Brian Smith: What is your fighting style?

“Lightning” Mike Sheppard: "I have been training Muaythai solely for the last 3 years. I have a little training in everything, boxing, wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, No Holds Barred, MMA."

B. Smith: What will be your strategy for the “King of the Gladiators" Tournament? What do you consider your biggest weapon?

“Lightning”: "I plan to take one fight a time. My punching power and my quick left jab are probably my biggest weapons. A lot of people say they feel it before they see it."

B. Smith: What do plan for your first round opponent, Andre Walker?

“Lightning”: "I think I got one of the tougher guys in the first fight. He seems to have a little more experience than the rest of them. He looks strong."

B. Smith: How do you feel about K-1, Heavyweight Gladiators and other 8-man events?

“Lightning”: "I like the idea of winner take all. It’s not just one fight, you’ll have to adapt to the different opponents you're taking on. You never know what you’ll get. In this style of fighting, people pull out so easily because you can get hurt easily training. That’s one thing about this kind of fighting. Anyone can be beat at anytime. Boxing, if you get a few big losses you get forgotten about."

B. Smith: Have you ever been hurt while training?

“Lightning”: "Banging shins and toes, oh yes."

B. Smith: What was your biggest fight and your biggest accomplishment?

“Lightning”: "My best fight was a 10 round loss to Raul Doucet from Canada. It was a full-contact fight and it was just back and forth, both of us getting knocked down several times. It was for the IKF North American title. It was a really good experience for me even though I lost. I got a lot of recognition for that fight."

B. Smith: How did you earn your fight name?

“Lightning”: "Training partners just a couple of years ago gave me the name "Lightning" because of my jab I think. I never was one for having a name. But I participated in an event one time and the promoter wanted one so I decided to use the name they gave me.”