TRIBUTE TO MY COUSIN MANNY NEVES
By: Manny Neves, 8th Dan, Kyoshi, Uechi-ryu Karate-Do
My cousin, Manny Neves, of Pawtucket Rhode Island died on November 22, 2010. He was a boxer, kickboxer, Muay Thai practitioner and Karate expert (8th Degree Black Belt). He was a mixed martial artist. He was the first to bring MMA to the state of Rhode Island. He held many State and Regional Championships along with numerous title belts. He was the reigning World Light Heavyweight Muay Thai Champion and the Rhode Island MMA Light Heavyweight Champion in 1999. In 1995-96 he received the prestigious Instructor of the Year award and was inducted into the Mixed Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2007. All fighting combined he had 108 wins and 12 losses. He ran the Elite Martial Arts academy in RI and was the founder of International Combat Entertainment (ICE Fighter). He’s my cousin, my friend and one of only two of my martial arts heroes. He was, an always will be, the real deal when it comes to fighting.
Mixed Martial Arts is one of the best things that’s happened to the martial arts in a long time. There’s no mistake as to who won a particular match. No 5-points and stop, no referee bias, no b-s. If I were younger, I’d definitely be in the ring with those guys. Keep the Faith, Continue the fighting spirit. Be true to yourself and know that there’s an angel in heaven looking after you warriors.