Palisadian kickboxer Baxter Humby continued his rise to the top of his sport by winning the International Muay Thai Council middleweight championship June 19 at the Upland Sports Arena. Humby dominated the five-round fight from start to finish, scoring three knockdowns of No. 1 contender Rubin Ynez of Canada en route to a unanimous decision victory It was Humby’s fourth consecutive win. Known as the ‘One-Armed Bandit’ because he was born without most of his right arm, Humby has overcome his handicap to enjoy success both in and out of the ring. He landed the starring role in a movie called ‘The Champion’ (based loosely on his life story), scheduled for release in Asia in August and he currently holds six world title belts. Humby has a professional record of 15-2 with six knockouts. His sole focus now is his next fight on September 11 at the Union Plaza in Las Vegas, where he will challenge champion Peter Cook of England for the International Sanctioned Kickboxing Association welterweight title. Cook dealt Humby his only knockout loss in their first fight a year and a half ago. His only other pro defeat was by decision three and a half years ago. ‘I had to come down in weight for that fight and he caught me with a lucky shot on the chin,’ Humby said. ‘Cook is not known for his high kicks, so I wasn’t watching for it and he landed it. I was winning until then and I know if I’m more careful I can beat him this time.’ Humby, 31, trains six days a week and also teaches kickboxing classes at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center and the Palisades-Malibu YMCA. He was second in his age group last year in the Palisades-Will Rogers 5K, finishing in 17:33.
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