Manson Howard Gibson (born May 5, 1963) is a retired American kickboxer and a 12-time world champion in

kickboxing Kickboxing is a combat sports, combat sport focused on kicking and punch (strike), punching. The combat takes place in a boxing ring, normally with boxing gloves, mouthguards, shorts, and bare feet to favour the use of kicks. Kickboxing is pract ...

and

Muay Thai Muay Thai ( th, มวยไทย, , ), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, is a combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. This discipline is known as the "art of eight limbs", as it is characterised ...

. He was known for his vicious use of spinning techniques and wild, unpredictable style, mixing elements of kickboxing,

Taekwondo ''Taekwondo'', ''Tae Kwon Do'' or ''Taekwon-Do'' (; ko, 태권도/跆拳道 ) is a Korean form of martial arts involving punching and kicking techniques, with emphasis on head-height kicks, spinning jump kicks, and fast kicking techniques. T ...

and

Northern Praying Mantis Northern Praying Mantis () is a style of Chinese martial arts, sometimes called Shandong Praying Mantis after its province of origin. It was created by Wang Lang (王朗) and was named after the praying mantis, an insect, the aggressiveness o ...

martial arts. He was sometimes referred to as the "Thai Killer" or the "Black

Bruce Lee Bruce Lee (; born Lee Jun-fan, ; November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973) was a Hong Kong and American martial artist and actor. He was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts philosophy drawing from different combat disciplines that ...

". Gibson was one of America's greatest kickboxers, and is credited with over 100 wins and more than 80 KOs, including around 40 via headkick.

Biography and career

After a series of early career wins and claiming titles such as the K.I.C.K. Super Middleweight World Championship, Gibson found the competition at home (aside from two losses to

Rick Roufus Rick John Roufus (born June 3, 1966) is an American retired kickboxer. He is one of the most famous kickboxers in America, and has also competed professionally in boxing Boxing (also known as "Western boxing" or "pugilism") is a combat sp ...

) uninspiring. So in the late 1980s and well into the 1990s, while many American fighters were fighting one another for a multitude of so-called "world titles", Manson headed across to Japan where he fought and beat top fighters such as

Caesar Takeshi (born August 17, 1955), better known by his ring name , is a Japanese actor, retired kickboxer and the founder of shoot boxing.http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/2649221/ Career Murata started competing in kickboxing at age of 16, bein ...

Tosca Petridis Tosca Petridis (born Tasis Petridis, 30 October 1966) is an Australian former kickboxer and boxer. He was born in Melbourne, however is of Greek ethnicity. He lives in Melbourne. Kickboxing Tosca is a former 7 time World Kickboxing champion. ...

and

Changpuek Kiatsongrit Changpuek nglish: White ElephantKiatsongrit ( th, ช้างเผือก เกียรติทรงฤทธิ์; born October 13, 1966) is a Thai former Muay Thai fighter. He is credited as being one of the first Muay Thai fighters ...

, often fighting under different rule sets such as Shoot Boxing,

K-1 K-1 is a professional kickboxing promotion established in 1993, well known worldwide mainly for its heavyweight division fights and Grand Prix tournaments. In January 2012, K-1 Global Holdings Limited, a company registered in Hong Kong, acquired ...

and

. During his period spent fighting in Japan, Gibson entered the inaugural K-2 Grand Prix in 1993. K-2 was a short lived series of tournaments held by the K-1 organization for Light Heavyweights and the 1993 event was held in Tokyo. In the tournament quarter finals he faced the highly decorated

Ernesto Hoost Ernesto Frits Hoost (born 11 July 1965) is a Dutch retired kickboxer. A four-time K-1 World Champion, Hoost is considered to be one of the greatest kickboxers of all time. Debuting in 1993 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 1993, where he came just one ...

, with Hoost, the recent K-1 Heavyweight Grand Prix runner-up, the strong favorite and on his way to becoming a legend. Gibson proved in that fight that he could hang with the world's best, knocking Hoost down with his trademark spinning backfist. However, despite the knockdown, the match went to an extra round where Gibson again knocked down Hoost, this time with a sidekick. Gibson lost a split decision. Gibson returned to the United States around 1998, defeating a legend in

Coban Lookchaomaesaitong Coban "The Cruncher" Lookchaomaesaitong (born August 4, 1966) is a Thai former Muay Thai kickboxer and World Champion. He won his first world title in 1985. He retired in 2000 after a 23-year career in Thailand and moved to New York to coach. He ...

. The match in

Compton Compton may refer to: Places Canada * Compton (electoral district), a former Quebec federal electoral district * Compton (provincial electoral district), a former Quebec provincial electoral district now part of Mégantic-Compton * Compton, Que ...

, was one in which Gibson had the MC announce himself as the "Thai Killer" and at the end of the fight did back flips next to the prone Coban. That year Gibson also won the I.K.K.C. Muaythai world title by defeating Maurice Travis, also in Los Angeles. Over the next couple of years he would defend his I.K.K.C. world title four more times with the highlight being a second victory over seven-time World Champion

– although as with the Coban fight his match antics left a sour taste in the mouth. On April 7, 2000 Gibson won the I.K.F. Pro Muay Thai Rules Light Cruiserweight North American title in

Green Bay Wisconsin Green Bay is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The county seat of Brown County, it is at the head of Green Bay (known locally as "the bay of Green Bay"), a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It is above sea leve ...

when he defeated Phil Petit of Sik Tai,

Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is centred on the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, near the longitudinal centre of North America. , Winnipeg had a city population of 749,6 ...

, Canada by KO with a spinning backfist in the first round. Gibson retired his title in 2005 when he moved up in weight. When Gibson won this title it was called the Light Cruiserweight title but the weightclass was different: 175.1 lbs. - 182 lbs. The weightclass range was later changed but Gibson's title remained Light Cruiserweight. Around 2002 age started catching up with Gibson who was approaching his forties and he lost his I.K.K.C. world title to Frenchman Manu N'toh. A win against Heath Harris in 2004 for the I.K.K.C. proved he could still be competitive, although his opponent Harris had only had a handful of professional fights prior to the encounter. Always one to try different fighting styles Gibson had a brief foray into

MMA Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...

in 2006. By the end of 2009, with the losses stacking up after a series of unsuccessful title fights, Gibson retired.

Titles

*2004 I.K.K.C. Pro Muay Thai Light Heavyweight World Champion −81.3 kg *1999 I.K.F. Pro Muay Thai Light Cruiserweight North American Champion −84.5 kg *1998–02 I.K.K.C. Muay Thai Light Heavyweight World Champion (Four title defenses) *1989 Shoot boxing Hawk Class World Champion −75 kg *Ring Fighting Arts World Champion *U.K.F. Super Middleweight World Champion * K.I.C.K. Light Heavyweight Champion * K.I.C.K. Super Middleweight World Champion * W.A.K.O. (PRO) Super Middleweight World Champion * W.K.A. Super Middleweight World Champion *I.K.L. Middleweight Champion

Kickboxing record

, - , - bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 2009-12-05 , , Loss , , align=left,

Shawn Yarborough Shawn may refer to: *Shawn (given name) *Shawn (surname) See also * Sean * Shaun Shaun is an Anglicisation of names, anglicized spelling of the Ireland, Irish name Seán. Alternative spellings include Shawn (given name), Shawn, Sean and Shawne. ...

, , WCK Muay Thai @ Buffalo Bill's , , Primm, NV, USA , , TKO (Quit) , , 2 , , 3:00 , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - , - bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 2008-06-18 , , Loss , , align=left, Edwin Aguilar , , Muay Thai Fight Night , ,

Montego Bay, Jamaica Montego Bay is the capital of the parish of St. James in Jamaica. The city is the fourth-largest urban area in the country by population, after Kingston, Spanish Town, and Portmore, all of which form the Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area, h ...

, , TKO (Quit) , , 3 , , 3:00 , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - , - bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 2007-07-07 , , Loss , , align=left, Denis Grachev , , Hot Summer Fights , , Inglewood, CA, USA , , TKO (Corner Stop/Knees) , , 3 , , 0:27 , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - , - bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 2004-11-20 , , Loss , , align=left, Clifton Brown , , Matter of Pride 8 , , Los Angeles, CA, USA , , TKO (Leg Kicks) , , 4 , , , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 2004-10-21 , , Win , , align=left, Heath Harris , , Guts and Glory , , San Bernardino, CA, USA , , Decision (Unanimous) , , 5 , , 3:00 , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 0000-00-00 , , Win , , align=left, Bill Rastafar , , , , United States , , KO (Left Hook), , 1 , , , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 2003-00-00 , , Win , , align=left, Wrath White , , , , United States , , Decision (Unanimous) , , 3 , , 3:00 , - , - bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 2002-11-15 , , Loss , , align=left, Manu N'toh , , W.C.K. "A Matter of Pride VI" , , Victorville, CA, USA , , Decision (Unanimous) , , 5 , , 3:00 , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - , - bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 2002-03-23 , , Loss , , align=left, Nick Karagiannidis , , Master Toddy Show @ Stardust Casino , , Las Vegas, NV, USA , , Decision , , 5 , , 3:00 , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 2001-12-14 , , Win , , align=left,

, , W.C.K. @ Palms Casino Resort , , Las Vegas, NV, USA , , KO (Spinning Heel Kick) , , 2 , , , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - , - bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 2000-12-02 , , Loss , , align=left, Robert Sarkozi , , 10th World Shidokan Invitational, Quarter Finals , , Chicago, IL, USA , , DQ (Constant Fouling) , , 4 , , , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 2000-07-04 , , Win , , align=left, Phil Petit , , Stadium View Sports Bar , , Green Bay, WI, USA , , KO (Spinning Back Fist) , , 1 , , , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 1999-09-11 , , Loss , , align=left, Richard Stellwagen , , Summer Brawl , , Franklin Park, IL, USA , , Decision (Split) , , 8 , , 2:00 , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1998-07-07 , , Win , , align=left,

, , Crystal Park Casino Outdoor Show , , Los Angeles, CA, USA , , TKO (Right Back Kick) , , 5 , , 1:59 , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1998-06-27 , , Win , , align=left,

Maurice Travis Maurice may refer to: People *Saint Maurice (died 287), Roman legionary and Christian martyr *Maurice (emperor) or Flavius Mauricius Tiberius Augustus (539–602), Byzantine emperor *Maurice (bishop of London) (died 1107), Lord Chancellor and Lo ...

, , , , Los Angeles, CA, USA , , Decision , , 5 , , 3:00 , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1998-04-26 , , Win , , align=left,

, ,

Shooto Shooto is a combat sport and mixed martial arts organization that is governed by the ''Shooto Association'' and the ''International Shooto Commission''. Shooto was originally formed in 1985, first as a particular fighting system and then in 198 ...

"Shoot the Shooto XX" , ,

Tokyo, Japan Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and List of cities in Japan, largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, ...

, , Decision (Unanimous) , , 3 , , 3:00 , - , - bgcolor="#c5d2ea" , 1996-07-14 , , Draw , , align=left, Yarsin Loogklongtan , , Shoot Boxing - S-Cup 1996, Super Fight , ,

, , 2 Ext.R Decision Draw , , 5 , , 3:00 , - , - bgcolor="#c5d2ea" , 1996-01-27 , , Draw , , align=left,

Yoji Anjo (born March 28, 1967) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Professional wrestling career Universal Wrestling Federation and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1985–1988) A former practitioner of judo, sumo and muay th ...

, , Shoot Boxing Carnival Ground Zero Yokohama, ,

Yokohama, Japan is the second-largest city in Japan by population and the most populous municipality of Japan. It is the capital city and the most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a 2020 population of 3.8 million. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of To ...

, , Decision Draw , , 1 , , 20:00 , - , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1995-10-15 , , Win , , align=left, Luc Verheye , , , MA Japan Kickboxing Federation , ,

, , Decision , , 5 , , 3:00 , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1995-03-25 , , Win , , align=left, Bartolomeo Danbrosio , , World Cup Of Martial arts , , Ledyard, CT, USA , , KO , , 1 , , 0:31 , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1994-06-10 , , Win , , align=left, Taro Minato , , , , Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA , , KO , , 3 , , 2:34 , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1994-00-00 , , Win , , align=left, Sergei Mayfat , , HardKnock 4 , , Atlantic City, NJ, USA , , Decision , , 10 , , 2:00 , - , - bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 1993-12-29 , , Loss , , align=left,

, ,

K-2 Grand Prix '93 This is a list of events held and scheduled by the K-1, a kickboxing promotion based in Hong Kong. The first event, K-1 Sanctuary I, took place on March 30, 1993 at Kōrakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. 2023 events 2022 events 2021 events ...

, Quarter Final , ,

, , Ext.R Decision (Majority) , , 4 , , 3:00 , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1993-01-30 , , Win , , align=left, Taro Minato , , MA Japan Kickboxing Federation , ,

, , Decision , , 5 , , 3:00 , - , - bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 1992-07-30 , , Loss , , align=left,

Taiei Kin Kin Taiei ( ko, 김태영, Hanja: ; born July 8, 1970) is a Korean-Japanese light heavyweight karateka, kickboxer and mixed martial artist competing in K-1 and DREAM. He's also a karate instructor and a trainer for professional fighters. His ...

, , Seidokaikan Kakutogi Olympic II , ,

, , DQ (Illegal Punch) , , 4 , , , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1992-03-21 , , Win , , align=left, Sajitkan , , Martial Arts Japan Kickboxing Association , , Japan , , TKO (Spinning High Kick) , , 2 , , , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 0000-00-00 , , Win , , align=left, Luc Verheye , , , ,

, , Decision , , 5 , , 3:00 , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1990-07-06 , , Win , , align=left, Hideo Suzuki , , '90 Kakutougi no saiten , ,

, , KO , , 2 , , 1:58 , - , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1990-07-01 , , Win , , align=left, Naoyuki Taira , , Shoot boxing BATTLE GAME , ,

, , KO , , 4 , , 4:01 , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1990-01-03 , , Win , , align=left, Koichi Koide , , Dojo 20th Anniversary kick , ,

, , KO , , 1 , , , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 0000-00-00 , , Win , , align=left, Johnny Davis , , , , United States , , KO , , 9 , , , - , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1989-05-26 , , Win , , align=left,

, , Tokyo Korakuen Hall Shoot Boxing , ,

, , KO (Spinning Mid Kick) , , 1 , , 4:28 , - ! style=background:white colspan=9 , , - , - bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 1989-04-01 , , Loss , , align=left,

, , , , United States , , Decision , , , , , - , - bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 1987-00-00 , , Loss , , align=left,

, , , , United States , , Decision , , , , , - , - , colspan=9 , ''Legend'':

Mixed martial arts record

, - , - bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 2006-08-28 , , Loss , , align=left, Jeremy Morrison , , Combat Do Fighting Challenge 10 , , Cicero, IL, USA , , Submission (Rear Naked Choke) , , 1 , , 0:05 , - , - , colspan=9 , ''Legend'':

References

External links

Official K-1 websiteManson Gibson K-1 profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gibson, Manson 1963 births Living people American male kickboxers American male mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing Tang Láng Quán Mixed martial artists utilizing Muay Thai Mixed martial artists utilizing taekwondo Kickboxers from Illinois Middleweight kickboxers Light heavyweight kickboxers Cruiserweight kickboxers American Muay Thai practitioners American wushu practitioners American male taekwondo practitioners Sportspeople from Chicago African-American sportspeople 21st-century African-American people 20th-century African-American sportspeople