US Combat Sports stopped by Rosales Karate to chat with Professor Tony Rosales about his professional boxers, Brandi “Babi Doll” Montoya and Shaun “Warrior” Henson, who are set to compete on the upcoming Fresquez Productions’ “World Dominance”, featuring Holly Holm vs. Anne Sophie-Mathis, at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque, NM, on December 2, 2011.

Rosales began his journey into martial arts in 1976, when he began training with Grandmaster Melcor Chavez. An 8^th degree Black Belt and Master Instructor, Rosales has been named Grand Champion of New Mexico five times, and was also the State Kickboxing Champion of Arizona.

From the beginning, Rosales wanted to train children in the martial arts, so in 1988, he opened his first school, in Los Lunas, NM. Several years later, he met the owner of 4^th Street Fitness and began to teach at that school as well, until, in 1999, he took over the business and opened another branch of Rosales Karate.

Since then he has trained multiple international and world champions in kickboxing, karate, Muay Thai, and now boxing. He is also a professional referee for WBA, WBC, IBF, WEC, boxing and MMA, and conducts seminars in self-defense all over the state.

It was through his refereeing that he met Lenny Fresquez, owner of Fresquez Productions, and that association has given several of Rosales’ fighters the opportunity to be on such notable cards. This particular card, “World Domination”, will feature professional boxer, Brandi “Babi Doll” Montoya and Shaun “Warrior” Henson, who will be making his professional debut.

Montoya first began training with Rosales about six years ago. She started at Rosales when her father, Michael Montoya, suggested it as a method of “anger management”. At first, Rosales and the young Montoya did not get along, but after Rosales threw everything he had at the young, angry teenager, and saw that she was serious about training and tough enough to endure, the two became as close as father and daughter, and it has remained so ever since.

She has gone on to receive her black belt in kajukenbo, and last year, she graduated from high school and is now attending UNM to become a Biomedical Engineer. Her life now consists of attending school, running and training at Rosales, seven days a week.

Her amateur record was 10-3, including kickboxing, boxing and Muay Thai, and she placed second in the world in Muay Thai. She hopes to make her professional debut in kickboxing as well, but it is difficult to find professional kickboxing fights in the States, and especially at the Flyweight class.

“I may soon transition into MMA,” said Montoya, believing it will be natural for her, with her naturally aggressive style, “I just love to fight” and her background in kajukenbo, which includes forms of judo and Jiu Jitsu. On top of that, Rosales has members of Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu come to the dojo to work with his students on a regular basis.

In the meantime, however, Montoya feels more confident than ever before, citing that her technique and footwork have improved to a whole new level, and instead of that natural aggression pushing her forward, she now feels the confidence of being fully prepared.
Her teammate, Shaun Henson , 22-3 as an amateur, recently made pro MMA debut at “Clash in the Cage” a Fresquez Production which took place in September, and he will be making his professional debut in boxing on the upcoming card.

Originally from Oklahoma, Henson moved to New Mexico 9 years ago, as a troubled teenager in foster care. “It was when I started boxing that I really found my way,” said Henson, who was introduced to the sport by his foster brother Eric Henson, who is also a professional boxer out of Rosales.

He was eventually adopted by the Henson family, and because of his deep gratitude and love for the family, decided at that time to change his name. He played football and ran cross-country in high school, and continued to do those, in addition to his martial arts training.

He has been training for the last four years in combat sports, and like many other professional athletes of this genre, has decided to fight in both MMA and boxing. “It’s very challenging to do both,” said Henson, and although he prefers to box, he also likes to grapple, and takes full advantage of the BJJ training offered by Gracie Barra’s Robert Zarate, while maintaining his standup with Professor Rosales as his coach and his father, Abraham Henson as his mitt-man.

“I feel like boxing is my dream, and I’m living it. I want to thank all my friends and most of all my family, for supporting me and being there for me.” Henson is also a full time student a UNM, and a volunteer firefighter out of District 7, with his EMT certification, studying EMS, and going for paramedics. “I feel great! My confidence is higher than ever; I’m ready and I’m pumped, but the anticipation is killing me. This will probably be the longest week of my life!”

Rosales is terribly proud of his students and his school, where he maintains “a professional atmosphere, where no one thinks they are better than anyone else. We are more like a family than anything else.”

Information on “World Dominance” may be found at www.fresquezproductions.com or at www.rt66casino.com.