Chris Romulo back in Runner's World

Click here to Check out Mr. Classic again in Runner's World Online

CROMCLASSIC on Youtube

We have decided to step up our game with "Technique of the Week" through the genius of Andrew Romulo of Eventrix Productions and Photographer and Director Efrain Hernandez. We look forward to bringing you more tried and true techniques used by Mr. Classic during his 16 years in the ring!! You can view all of our videos along with a growing library of Mr. Classic's fights on YOUTUBE on our page CROMCLASSIC.

CROM MARTIAL TRAINING HOLDS A MID WINTER SPARRING EXHIBITION AND FUNDRAISER FOR THE CRUSH CANCER FUND FOR CLARE ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2012

NEW YORK (Rockaway Beach) – February 28, 2012
Chris & Sarah Romulo, Muay Thai instructors and owners of CROM Martial Training held a Mid-Winter Sparring Exhibition and Fundraiser for the Crush Cancer Fund For Clare on Sunday, February 26^th.

The event included a Muay Thai boxing exhibition with the children from their youth program aged 8-14. Chris Romulo, a recently retired Muay Thai champion displayed the art of Muay Thai through the Martial Art’s distinctive pad work training. The students also demonstrated fundamental techniques in a sparring scenario and showed great skill and heart, which are synonymous with Muay Thai Boxing; the most distinguished Martial Art in the world! Sarah Romulo followed up the show with a pad work demonstration with Ladies’ Boxing student and Belle Harbor resident Amanda Boggiano. Sarah and Amanda displayed grace, beauty and teamwork with their demo of this unique fighting art. The expo took a step to the next level half way through the show when 8 adult Muay Thai sparring matches took place with students from CROM Martial Training (Rockaway Beach), Evolution Muay Thai (NYC), Church Street Boxing Gym (NYC), Coban’s Fight Camp (NYC), Lion’s Roar Muay Thai Camp (The Bronx), and The Mayo Academy (Ozone Park).

Legendary Muay Thai kickboxer and World Champion Coban Lookchaomaesaitong was in attendance with fighters from his camp. Coban, being the Muhammad Ali of Muay Thai was a treat for all the students to meet being such a great ambassador for their sport.

All the students who stepped in the ring tested their skill for a good cause! CROM Martial Training raised a generous amount for The Crush Cancer Fund for Clare Droesch through a raffle and cupcake bake sale. Clare Droesch is a lifelong Rockaway Resident, and at only 30 years old is suffering from stage 2 Breast Cancer which has unfortunately metastasized to her spine, and hip. Clare is an amazing person, highly respected basketball player (Christ the King, Boston College, etc.) and known for always helping others, and our community.

4 lucky winners were awarded with one of the following prizes:

1. A 1 month all inclusive membership to CROM Martial Training

2. A private training session with Chris Romulo

3. A t-shirt and $50. gift card from East Coast MMA in Rockville Center

4. 2 tickets to Friday Night Fights NYC Pro Muay Thai matches on March 9^th, 2012

Donations for Clare Droesch can continue to be dropped off at CROM Martial Training Monday- Friday from 5 to 9pm and Saturday from 10am-1pm. Checks should be made out the The Graybeards with Clare Droesch’s name in memo section of check. No amount is too small!

CROM Martial Training is located at 92-07 Rockaway Beach Blvd Rockaway Beach, NY 11693

For more info please visit www.crom-mt.com

CROM Martial Training- Basics of Muay Thai

Chris Romulo's Interview in Runner's World!

Click here to read up on Chris' interview in Runner's World article "Running is the Foundation"

Chris explains how running has roots in a more stand-up fighting style, such as Muay Thai . Chris states his opinion and remarks on how he advises his students to incorporate running to improve one's overall cardio.

Sparring Exhibition/Smoker this Sunday 2/26 at CROM Martial Training in Rockaway Beach!!!!

Come check out our 1st sparring exhibition of 2012... all donations and proceeds for our raffle will fund the Crush Cancer Fund for Clare Droesch. Please show your support! There will also be a bake sale with yummy home made cupcakes!

You can expect to see fighters from Coban's Muay Thai Camp, Evolution Muay Thai, Lion's Roar Muay Thai Camp, and The Mayo Academy this sunday, 2/26 starting at 2pm! Come through and support the art of Muay Thai!

Raffle tickets are on sale at CMT for 5bux a pop ALL WEEK in order to support the CRUSH CANCER FUND for CLARE DROESCHE...

Prizes include:
An all inclusive 1 month membership to CMT
A private training session with "Mr. Classic" either in NYC or Rockaway
... 2 tickets to the March 9th Friday Night Fights show
Tee shirt and gift card to East Coast MMA

We will draw 4 winners this Sunday 2/26 at CMT!

Check out what we do at CMT!!! click on link below the image for video

Click on this link to check out our promo video shot by Eventrix Productions!

Reviews on CROM Martial Training

We can't thank our students enough for all the glowing reviews they posted on Yelp and various sites.  We truly value our community and the students who have become friends and family at our school.  We are truly blessed!!  

Here's a few:

Tricia C

I usually hate the gym.  I have a serious fear of exercise all together.  When I started this gym in January I was completely out of shape, had trouble with physical exertion, especially climbing a flight of steps, and was eating my way into plus sizes. However, I was hooked after my first ladies boxing class. I had never boxed before, I h

ad never even had a fight before, heck, I'd never even yelled at anyone before, but I didn't need any of those skills when I walked in.  I just needed to be ready for an hone

st workout.  I got that and so much more.  Now, not only am I returning two my 'two years ago' weight, but I am building stamina, boxing skills and self esteem with each session.  I truly value CMT because it has helped me to arrive at a place emotionally that I had lost all hope of finding!

Cortney W.

I have joined EVERY gym (yes every single one), but I have never, ever felt as comfortable nor at ease as at Crom Martial Training.  This family owned business is a great asset to all it's members and the community that it serves.  

I started with CROM when it was based in Manhattan.  I've recently returned to their Queens location and took a ladies boxing class.  I asked myself all throughout the class why I had left!   Sarah, is an exceptional teacher for the ladies boxing class.  She is patient, yet pushes you to give it your all.   The ladies in the class were all returning students who had a wonderful energy as well.  Chris is equally dedicated & also an excellent instructor.  He brings an expertise that is unparalleled.

CROM Martial Training is THE place to come to get in shape & stay in shape!  It is good for all ages, shapes, & sizes!

 

Jason A

Rockaway is its own little corner of New York; not really too far but often overlooked.  The beach and boardwalk are there, some great restaurants, and what seems to be a fitness revolution going on.  They just had a St. Patrick's Day 5K with local businesses participating, there're a few standard gyms and what looks like a great hot yoga studio.  All set against the surf.  If you let it, the whole neighborhood will let you feel like getting healthy.

At the center of it all is Chris Romulo's new, clean martial arts facility.  Though the space and the equipment are brand new, it's impossible to escape the gym's old school feel.  Even as you approach you can hear the sounds of the pads, the music, and the timer.  The fogged-up windows foretell what's waiting inside.

Six days of varied classes -- muay thai, boxing, and strength and conditioning, all taught by Chris or Sarah.  The kids' classes are affordable and everyone is included -- no one is stuck in a corner.  They learn discipline and respect not because it is drilled into their heads, but because they're learning from someone who is passionate about what he's teaching them.  There is a major difference between being forced to respect a person because "mom dropped me off here" and learning to respect a sport/art because of how much it has done for so many people.  Crom Martial training has it right.

The adults are the proof.  I suspect there will be a bunch more glowing reviews, but until that time I can tell you that over the years we've all seen Chris as teacher, fighter, and friend.  People have lost weight, gained strength, even worked through nagging injuries.  Some just wanted to be able to say they trained in muay thai, others in boxing or MMA, others want to get in the ring.  They all had to earn it.  Personally I am getting more into strength and conditioning lately and Chris is always learning more and teaching more.  This gym has olympic rings, kettlebells, even a large drum partly filled with water (my favorite -- hoist THAT over your head and keep it there, and every second is like 50 crunches).

Now with Sarah, an experienced boxer teaches the women's classes and has a devoted following.  Everyone is welcome in her classes and there is no barrier to entry.  The gym's entire vibe is welcoming, and it's no surprise that absolute beginners continue to come back.

I recommend you try it out on a weekend.  Take a class, hang around and talk to others, jump in the surf afterwards, go for a run if you still can.  It's a chance to be a part of something new and exciting.  Something hundreds of years old!  

Jerwin F

The training and atmosphere in the gym is just great because the teachers and students respect each other regardless if you've been training for a while or just starting. i have only been training since december but i have enjoyed every single training session i have had. chris and sarah are very nice people and some of the best trainers me and my wife have had in the martial arts world.

 Sony F.

 I love this place. I've trained at a bunch of different gyms in the city and Queens. Even though I am a part of a different stable, I try to stop by Crom Martial Training every chance I get! Chris is an amazing fighter/trainer: all you need to do is google his fights or see his students compete to know that. Even if you're not competition oriented, the classes are great to get in shape. Aside from that, the way that Chris and Sarah run the establishment is second to none. It's hard to describe, but CMT just has that... family feel. They are super welcoming and friendly. These are two people who truly love the sports of boxing and muay thai and it shows in their training, teaching and all the involvement Chris undertakes as one of our best ambassadors for the sport. The facility is also brand new and super clean, which is always a plus! I can't recommend this place enough! Give it a shot. After all "All it takes is heart"!!!  

Yoga at CMT

CROM is happy to present yoga to you on tuesday and thursday mornings at 9:30am.  Not many martial arts practitioners would think of using Yoga as a part of their training, but in actual fact the skills and attributes that you develop through the practice of Yoga are exactly the kind of thing that any sports person needs to develop, and are particularly important and relevant for something like martial arts.  Improve flexibility, balance, and focus by our attentive and experienced yoga teacher, Kevin Campbell.  Kevin is a Rockaway native and has trained in India and at many notable academies in the states.  All levels are welcome!

YOGA Tues/Thurs. 9:30-10:30am

$10/per class

OPEN LEVEL

CROM Martial Training 2nd Sparring Exhibition

Come watch our students test their skills and help CROM MT kick off it's 2nd year on Rockaway Beach!

Chris "Mr. Classic" Romulo named WKA Fighter of the Month

I am blessed to start of the new year with such great recognition from the WKA as Fighter of the Month. The story below is copied from http://www.wkausa.com/fotm-moreinfo12.html
READ ON!....

Like many of our champions, Chris Romulo first became interested in traditional martial arts when he was a child. His father was a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and after many visits to the dojo, Chris decided to try it out at the age of eight: “I was hooked from the first day!” From there, Chris went on to practice his primary art, Muay Thai, as well as boxing, wrestling, BJJ, MMA, and Escrima.

Chris got into Muay Thai in 1996 under Sitsutam “Tommy Thai” Watcharanantakul, an ex-fighter from Thailand, under whom Chris first fought. Unfortunately, Watcharanantakul moved back to Thailand, forcing Chris to seek another trainer. Romulo then trained and fought under full contact champion Francisco Burgos. After a brief hiatus from training to spend time with his newborn son, Chris trained and competed for a couple years in shoot boxing under Geoff Roesch, finally returning to Muay Thai at Ultimate Gym under Ajarn Prasit Thong Dong from Saktaywan Muay Thai Camp in Thailand. However, after only one fight, Chris once again lost his instructor, as Ajarn Prasit left the US to go back to Thailand.

In 2003, a string of fortunate happenings led Duke Roufus student Jason Strout to New York. Romulo and Strout found themselves training side-by-side, and, recognizing the potential, Romulo asked Strout to stay in New York indefinitely to be his coach. The pair ended up at Church Street Boxing Gym, working together and developing Church Street’s Muay Thai program. An eight-year training relationship developed a trust and confidence between coach and fighter that helped Chris build his spectacular record of 18-3, with 7 KOs as an amateur and 13-1, with an amazing 10 wins by KO, as a professional. Chris cites Strout’s knowledge and skill as a coach as a major inspiration and catalyst to his own fighting and teaching.

About a year ago, Romulo opened his own gym, CROM Martial Training, to bring Muay Thai to a neighborhood in Rockaway beach that Chris loves but which, he admits, has few options for keeping youth off the streets and out of trouble. Chris’s impetus for much of his own program is to fill this need. He is a spokesperson for Bullying: We’re Kicking It!, and through this program, he speaks at many schools in New York and New Jersey, talking to kids about growing up and how martial arts helped him keep safe and focused. In addition to helping local youth find new paths, Chris wants to increase the prestige of his gym by providing quality training and developing a respected fight team.

Though running a gym and training fighters keeps Romulo quite busy enough, he endeavors to maintain the integrity of his school by continuing his own very successful fight career, fighting consistently despite his busy teaching schedule. He eagerly anticipates his next fight against Russian fighter Alexander Lavrushin on Justin Blair’s next Friday Night Fights card on January 14th, 2011. Later, he looks forward to rematching Canadian Alex Ricci, Romulo’s first and only professional loss and only loss by KO. Chris looks at this fight as a test of his immense growth over the past four years, when the two first fought.
Something that always stands out about Chris at fights is his performance of the Ram Muay and Wai Kru. Anyone who has seen this performance—or even a photograph of it—can tell that this is about more than just fighting to him. Says Chris of his own attitude to the sport and to competing: “I don’t look at competing solely as fighting. I view it as a true expression of my soul. I love to win, but more importantly I like to leave an impression. Like a painter, I always try to create the ultimate masterpiece on the canvas.”

Best of luck to Chris with his gym and his upcoming fights, and we eagerly look forward to seeing him defend his WKA Professional North American Middleweight Title, which he won over Sean Hinds in May of 2010.

CROM makes his return to the ring- Friday, January 14th, 2011

Mr. Classic is set to make his return to the ring where he will meet up with Russian champ Alexander Lavrushin on January 14th, 2011. Lavrushin is a well respected competitor from the Eastern block who is looking to leave a mark. CROM is prepared to welcome his opponent with heart felt intention in this muay thai battle.

WHAT: Friday Night Fights NYC Main Event
Chris "Mr Classic" Romulo VS. Alexander Lavrushin
WHERE: The Hall at St. Paul
Columbus Ave.@ 60th St.
WHEN: Friday, January 14th, 2011
Doors open: 7:30 pm
First bell: 8:00 pm
WHY: Come support an international showcase of talented fighters from the state and abroad.
HOW: Contact crom.mt@gmail.com for tickets

What's new at CMT

NEW CLASSES & INSTRUCTORS AT CROM MARTIAL TRAINING

The new year is right around the corner which means only one thing...for those of you who have been grubbin' it up...STEP UP YOUR TRAINING...and for those of you have become one with the couch for the last few months- time to start fresh..at one of our new class offerings at CROM Martial Training!!


The MMA/BJJ program at CROM Martial Training is geared towards teen and adult students who are looking to experience a well rounded education in Mixed Martial Arts in a fun, yet safe learning environment. With this program you will be eligible for 2 MMA classes and 2 BJJ classes per week. See class description below:

Our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes are taught by black belt and veteran MMA coach, Professor Clarence Everett. "Cee" is known for his comprehensive instruction and teaches the nuts and bolts of this very technical art. The objective of this class is to teach students the fundamentals in the art of “ground fighting”. Students will drill movements to learn how to get from position to submission, thereby constantly reinforcing the most efficient strategy for real life confrontations or for sport.
WHEN: Tues: 8:00-9:30pm & Thurs 8:00-9:30pm INSTRUCTOR: PROF CLARENCE EVERETT

MMA classes are taught by our head instructor, Chris Romulo, from a stand- up perspective, giving you all the tools necessary to stay on your feet and work your boxing and muay thai. This class will help bridge the gap between standup and ground fighting. CROM's MMA program will cover the basics of wrestling and jiu-jitsu while still adhering to our preference to "sprawl and brawl". 3 months striking/standup training is recommended for participation.
WHEN: Tues: 6:30-7:45 & Sat 11:30-12:30pm// INSTRUCTOR: CHRIS ROMULO


CROM FIT- Strength & Conditioning

CROM Fit is a Strength & Conditioning program created by our very own head instructor, Chris Romulo, to get in to optimal shape for his competitions. This program is comprised of tried and true old school training methods mixed in with cutting edge fitness exercises. Students build strength, flexibility, stamina, agility and balance through circuit style training that keeps one’s body guessing from work out to work out. The tools used include a mix of home made medicine balls, kettlebells, dumbells, climbing ropes, gymnastic rings, and chin up bars to give our students a back to basics, hard core work out. Students of all levels are welcome!
WHEN: Tues: 5:15-6:15 & Thurs 7-8 pm// INSTRUCTOR: CHRIS ROMULO

LADIES BOXING
This class is geared towards women looking to learn authentic boxing in a fun, safe and structured learning environment. Boxing not only offers benefits such as a well-toned body and increased stamina, but also the intense training will undoubtedly improve one’s determination, focus, patience and self-confidence. Students walk out of each class feeling empowered, confident and relaxed. Training involves skipping rope, bagwork, mitt work, various conditioning, and core exercises.
WHEN: Saturday mornings 9:30-10:30am// INSTRUCTOR: SARAH ROMULO

GET TO KNOW OUR INSTRUCTORS:

Since his involvement in Muaythai, Chris Romulo has won regional and national professional & amateur titles and has fought in Thailand in the IFMA-WMC World Championships. As a professional, he is currently the North American champion and continues to dominate the east coast's Muaythai middleweight division. Even with his success in Muaythai, Chris strives to live by the code of the Martial Artist. Deeming that competition should never be about personal conflict, but rather about the respect and the passion for learning and growing through Martial Arts. The valuable lessons that he has learned from years of training in the Martial Arts is what he anticipates to pass on to his students. Building a gym in the same community that he lives in has been Chris Romulo's ultimate dream. Chris sees this as a chance to work with the youth and give them opportunities that he wasn't exposed to growing up as a child.

Record: Professional Muay Thai: 13-1 (10ko)Amateur Muay Thai: 18-3-1

Titles:

2010 Professional Super Middleweight North American Champion

2004 Amateur IFMA-WMC Muay Thai World Cup Bronze Medalist

2004 Amateur WKA North American Muay Thai Champion

2004 Amateur WKA US National Muay Thai Champion

2003 Amateur WKA US National Muay Thai Champion

2003 Amateur WKA NY State Muay Thai Champion

Professor Clarence Everett

is the 1st American Black Belt

in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under
Professor Alexander "Soca"

Freitas. Professor Everett also
earned rank in Kodokan
Judo and is a lineage
holder in Southern Chi-
nese Martial Arts.
Everett coaches MMA
competitors and has
served as a professional
corner-man for UFC fighters
Phillipe Nover & Dave Branch.



Eddie Marini has competed
in both amateur boxing
and muay thai and has
a great passion for the
martial arts, which gives
him great teaching skills.
Eddie has trained under
both Chris Romulo and
Jason Strout, and traveled
and trained through out
Thailand. He is currently
the North American Amateur
champion in his weight
class and holds a 3-1
record in amateur muay
thai and a 1-0 record in
amateur boxing.
Eddie teaches boxing on mondays at 6pm





Sarah Romulo, our ladies
boxing instructor, came
in to the sport 3 yrs ago
as merely an enthusiast
and desiring a better way
to get in shape, which
eventually turned in to a
need to test her skills
through competition.
Sarah encourages students
to not only get in the best
shape of their lives, but
have FUN while doing it!

CROM MT Grand Opening and Sparring Exhibition SUN. 11/21 2pm

CROM MARTIAL TRAINING will host it's Grand Opening this sunday 11/21/10 @2pm sharp. We will be presenting exhibition sparring matches with some of our devoted students along with those from Team Strout and Sitan Gym. Visit our facebook page for more info!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=129349990457154

As of November 1st, 2010, CROM Martial Training has opened its doors to the Rockaways, NYC, and around in a new location that we can call home. We now have 1,300 square feet of space filled with everything a martial arts, boxing, and physical training gym can have. Our space hosts a 14 x 14 foot ring, sitting as the centerpiece of CMT, and surrounded by top quality MMA mats. We are currently lining the rest of the gym with various muay thai and boxing bags just waiting to be broken in. Our strength and conditioning equipment includes home made medicine balls, kettlebells, dumbells, climbing ropes, gymnastic rings, and chin up bars which will supply plenty of tools for many of the new classes added to our roster. By the end of November you can expect to see CROM MT operating 6 days a week, with new classes such as MMA, Women's boxing, and Strength and Conditioning for starters. Our goal is to provide old school training in a throw back gym balanced with the up-to-date fitness methods for no-frills results.

We're almost there!!

They said we were crazy...they said we couldn't do it....they said we'd never amount to anything (well not exactly)......Ladies and Gentlemen...Exactly 1 month after signing our lease, CROM MT is cutting the tape tomorrow afternoon with a soft opening. A grand opening with a smoker and exhibition is slated for sunday, 11/21.

We have so many amazing students and friends that have given of their time and expertise. We are so thankful and can not wait to share our space with all of you to show all the blood, sweat, and tears (just a few) that have gone in to this joint.

Enjoy the new digs!!

CROM MT...A NEW BEGINNING

2010 has been a year that will leave a mark in our memories for decades to come. Though this year has not yet come to a close, we have one more vision that has begun to take shape. For as long as Chris has been teaching and studying martial arts himself, he has always wanted a place to call his own. CROM Martial Training has spent almost a year on Rockaway Beach making a name for itself. Within this year we have accomplished many goals and the ultimate has now become a reality.

Scheduled for November 1st, 2010, CROM Martial Training will open its doors to the Rockaways, NYC, and around in a new location that we can call home. We now have 1,300 square feet of space to fill with everything a martial arts, boxing, and physical training gym can have. Our space will be filled with a 16 x 16 foot ring, sitting as the centerpiece of CMT, and surrounded by top quality MMA mats. Lining the rest of the gym will be various muay thai and boxing bags just waiting to be broken in. Our strength and conditioning equipment will include home made medicine balls, kettlebells, dumbells, climbing ropes, gymnastic rings, and chin up bars which will supply plenty of tools for many of the new classes added to our roster. By mid November you can expect to see CROM MT operating 6 days a week, with new classes such as MMA, Women's boxing, and Strength and Conditioning for starters. Our goal is to provide old school training in a throw back gym balanced with the up-to-date fitness methods for no-frills results.

All this would not be possible with out the the help from students that we can now consider part of the CROM family! Big thanks to Chris & Brody Quinn, David Sanchez, Mike Sapirstein, Tom aka "Cloudy", Eddie Marini, Kieran Rogers, Charlie, and Roger Vargas.

CROM MT Summer Re-Cap

Summer 2010 wasn't a time for CROM Martial Training to slow down and take a vacation (although we did a bit of that)...It was a time for us to help our school make a name for itself. Sarah Romulo and David Vega stepped up to the plate and swung for the fences competing in 2 Friday Night Fight promotions this summer, in turn leaving behind 2 great performances in amateur boxing and muay thai.

David Vega stepped up on July 22nd for the Friday Night Fights promotion at the Broad Street Ballroom in Lower Manhattan. His opponent Ragello Castillo of Anderson's Martial Arts of NYC was a game competitor with already a couple of fights under his belt. David, with only less than a year of training was ready for the challenge. The fight started out aggressively on both sides with each of the fighters wanting to establish the pace. Vega came out first gaining respect with strong punch combinations followed with the lowkick. Castillo readily returned fire. As Vega set up great lowkicks, Castillo was forced to counter by catching and sweeping David Vega off of his feet, making it a hard round to judge. The second round Vega was able to counter Castillo's counter attacks with again, strong punch combinations and dominating in the clinch with powerful knees. With the 3rd round, each fighter knew this would be the deciding round for the victor. Vega turned up the attack, pushing Castillo back with heavy punches and a powerful push kick that sent Castillo in to the corner. A final dump in the clinch from Vega left him standing at the end of the bout with Castillo climbing to his feet.

With it being a very close bout, we were sure rounds 2 & 3 belonged to David Vega.
Unfortunately the judges saw it another way and Castillo walked away with the controversial split decision. Vega proved himself to be a very worthy newcomer with a set of skills that can only get better. We are proud of his effort and display of heart. We look forward to building his amateur career.












































Next up to bat, Sarah Romulo made her amateur boxing debut in the master's division with the Friday Night Fights, Rumble on The River boxing show located next to the world famous Intrepid aircaft carrier museum. The Rumble on The River boxing show attracts 2-3,000 people during their free summer events and Sarah Romulo was eager to make her presence known at this awesome venue. Sarah began her boxing training 2 1/2 years ago as a way to stay in shape and learn something she was always interested in. With Sarah being a natural competitor, her curiosity for the sport gradually became a desire to test herself. When she made the decision to jump in the ring and make her mark, she called on a great team of fighters out of Church Street boxing gym and Team Strout to help her prepare. She dialed up the notch on her training, making boxing not just a hobby, but now a lifestyle. With Sarah being part owner of CROM MT, this upgrade was challenging yet simple. Sarah incorporated not only boxing, but muay thai, strength and conditioning, and postcard perfect workouts in Rockaway Beach.

Sarah's opponent would be a recently turned masters boxer with golden gloves experience as her first test. Kaori Oiwa of Arden's Sweet Science in Brooklyn, NY was more than happy to make Sarah's introduction to boxing a challenging endeavor.

In the first round, Sarah and Kaori spent very little time feeling each other out. The pace picked up quickly as each fighter vied to establish the all important jab. Sarah's jabs were followed crisply with right hands to the head and body, and with Kaori being an experienced boxer she began to turn it up also, sensing she had her hand's full. Though the round was only 2 minutes long, the pace became furious, forcing the crowd to the edge of their seats. In the second round, with Sarah's first round jitters out of the way, the fight went in to overdrive. Sarah displayed a meaningful jab and decided to use her countering and effective combinations to keep Kaori on the defensive. In the 3rd round with the crowd now in a frenzy, both fighters felt the urge to not leave it in the hands of the judges. Sarah already countering Kaori's right uppercut, found more of a home in the 3rd round as her left hook was the icing on the cake for this battle. With both fighters landing heavy shots and feeling fatigued, Sarah was able to keep Kaori on the ropes and back peddling most of the 3rd round. The round ended with both fighters still throwing punches in the middle of the ring. With the crowd in a roar, Sarah Romulo was awarded a unanimous decision with a huge smile on her face and an even bigger smile in her husband's heart.

CHRIS ROMULO: WKA PROFESSIONAL SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION!

MAY 14, 2010 CHRIS "MR CLASSIC" ROMULO DEFEATS SEAN HINDS AT THE FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS SERIES HELD AT THE LEXINGTON ARMORY, NYC

From the opening bell, Romulo changed up his rhythm, coming out aggressive and setting the pace for the remainder of the fight. Hinds attempted to impose his will on Romulo, but good defense and strong countering attacks slowed down Hind's game plan significantly. As the fight went on, Romulo proved his skill by utilizing his weapons: powerful jab hook combinations, left leg body kicks, and acrobatic sweeps.

Many had Romulo pegged as the underdog in this fight, but as each round progressed, CROM displayed with skill, sharp technique, and a good game plan, he was the better man on this night.

Romulo earned bragging rights for NYC along with the title of WKA Professional Super Middleweight North American Champion.