A Fist Full of Danny Dollars
Danny Harrison is carving himself quite a reputation in mat sport combat circles - a natural promoter with the gift of the gab who has also been a competitor himself, Danny has big plans for Combat32.
FACT FILE
NAME: Danny Harrison
AGE: 34
STYLES: Traditional Karate, Boxing, Wushu, Kickboxing, freestyle
GRADE: Second Dan
LIKES: Sincerity
DISLIKES: Egos
FAVOURITE TECHNIQUE: Side kick - 'I just like chopping people up with it...'
HONOURS & ACHIEVEMENTS: Numerous World, European and British titles. Promoter of Combat32. Being a father.
AMBITION: To take sport martial arts to a new level.
Bob Sykes: Why a Fist full of Dollars... sorry, 'Danny Dollars'?
Danny Harrison: Put simply, if you have the fists then you can have my dollars. Before I go into further detail, may I congratulate you, Bob, on an amazing Clash this year. I would also like to congratulate the TAGB for an outstanding performance - well done, boys, you did yourselves and the TAGB proud... and all credit to team coach Master Kenny Walton and TAGB chairman Master Dave Oliver for their great leadership.
Okay, back to the question... Combat32 has created a professional league for MSC (Matted Sport Combat). No other promoter, that I know of, for MSC in the past 2-3 years has given away over £6000 in prize money. The facts speak for themselves. I want to pay my fighters - not take their money.
Fighters need to assess themselves and establish their worth to a promoter - for example - if they are prepared to fight on 'shows' for no appearance fee or winning purse, then the promoters who are offering these incentives will ask the question, 'If you are prepared to fight for free, why should I pay you?' If a fighter fails to understand their value then they will continuously be taken advantage of. It is a cultural change and the sooner these established fighters realise this, the better.
I want to give the fighters not just my dollars but also magazine and, more importantly, TV exposure in a full contact, points scoring, MSC environment. I truly believe in the talent of the sport and I believe it deserves what I am working towards.
That leads me nicely onto my next question. You seem to be making good in-roads towards gaining recognition of your product from the TV industry, can you provide more details?
Certainly, Bob. For our sport, or any for that matter, to seriously grow and flourish, TV recognition is fundamental. We have been gaining increased exposure from Channel M (Sky 203) who have now run a number of previews on Combat32 and we are in talks with LA Muscle TV (Sky 281) for a TV deal around Combat32. They seem to be extremely interested and, like me, recognise the enormous potential of this product. So, fingers crossed... we're hoping to have pen to paper by the time our next show is confirmed. Any interested sponsors should contact MAI directly for more information on this ground breaking opportunity.
Now that Combat32 has established itself as one of the premier martial art events in the country, what have you learned during this journey?
As we have both witnessed first hand, Bob, premier events like ours seem to attract the 'show stoppers' - the ones whose involvement borders on becoming detrimental to the show. I have no idea why this is, maybe it's because where they have failed they envy others who succeed. Regardless, I always remain positive, what you know you can manage. Combat32 is acknowledged for creating a stage for the fighters to showcase their talent and therefore be recognised as the professional athletes they are - while, at the same time, providing financial reward.
As well as being a successful business man and promoter you are also incredibly respected as a gifted fighter yourself. Can you share with the readers some details of your competitive achievements?
Well, thanks for the compliment and for the ego massage... I have some great memories from this sport, it's one of the reasons I am still involved in martial arts today. I have met some good friends, including yourself, but mainly, Clifton Findley, Mark Brown and Corey Cain, who all attended my wedding - which meant a lot at the time - and whom I continue to speak with on a regular basis.
Back to my competitive days, I have won numerous British titles with various associations. My most memorable being the time I beat the amazing Billy Bryce in the finals of the 1997 WAKO British Championships. I have won numerous amateur world titles and it's since then that I realised that there was no further progression for a MSC fighter's career - hence my retirement as an active competitor. You come to a point where you ask yourself a question, 'How many World titles do I want to win?' I won three and that was more than enough. I started to realise that the sport, as it is, had nothing further to offer me. It was just the same old story of paying extortionate amounts to represent your country, just to win another 'world title.'
Just like simple economics, the more there is of something, the less in value it becomes - and that's what's happening today, due to the sheer number of associations offering the potential to win this alleged accolade.
But, just because something is that way it doesn't mean it has to remain thus - hence the creation of Combat32. It is important to note that Combat32 is not an association - it is a tournament concept. It provides the chance for the elite fighters to step forward and be truly recognised as a fighter with real substance and get paid in the process - and I don't just mean in ticket sale commission - I mean by receiving appearance fees and being treated as a real athlete with a winning purse.
You mentioned that you are married. Would you like to share with us a little about your personal life?
Yes, but not much. I am indeed happily married to my darling wife Hayley - we have been together for a long time. We have an absolutely adorable 18 month old daughter named Mya Maria, she is my heart and soul, my light and my life.
Finally, Danny, what lies in store for Combat32 Series IV?
I aim to bring over the number one Kickboxer in the US. He is a global superstar and, in my mind, the Muhammad Ali of our sport - he's the one and only Raymond 'Real Deal' Daniels. If managed, this will only be the second or third time in his career that he has visited these shores and it will be an absolute privilege to have him on the show. This will be a series not to be missed, it'll be a spectacular, overshadowed by none. He has conquered all before him including the Chuck Norris World Combat League but the question remains, can he conquer Combat32? It's a different type of tournament - who knows how he will react. All I can say is, watch this space...
On the team front I would love to see the impregnable TAGB take to the Combat32 fighting arena. I must say, after witnessing first hand their blistering performance at the Clash I feel their fighters would take to this competition like ducks to water. The likes of Warren Vice, Tyrell Beloney and Andrew 'The Deer' Hunter would more than be a match for any Combat32 competitor. So, if Master Kenny Walton or Master Dave Oliver is reading this piece, then please feel free to get in touch - I would love to hear from you...
Agree or disagree, love or hate him - since, in the case of Danny Harrison, there appears to be little in the way of middle ground. From what Danny has said, he certainly seems to have the energy and enthusiasm to take pionts fighting to the next level... But, whether or not his dreams will translate into reality, time will tell.
BOB SYKES
Check out the newly launched Combat32 TV channel on YouTube by visiting www.youtube.com/TheCombat32. Subscription is free, with videos being uploaded on a regular basis. More info can be found at the Combat32 website - register today for the 2010 event at www.combat32.co.uk.
Combat32 would like to thank... MAI, the UK's number one martial arts magazine; Martec for their suit sponsorship and editorial sponsorship [01204 389929]; Top Ten UK for their suit sponsorship [www.toptenukmartialartsequipment.co.uk]; the Refereeing team of Joe Tierney, Robbie Hughes, Richie Allen and Andy Desa; the 2009 coaches, Chris Williams, Clifton Findley and Jamie Goulding; presenter, Corey Cain; the production team NK Williams; the broadcasters, Channel M, Granada TV and LA Muscle TV; the 2009 fighters, Tyrell Baloney, Tony Kelly, Ian Hollet, Jermaine Hemmings, Richard Belle, Rob Taylor, Kevin Guy, Petr Kotik, Michael Page, Lee Smith, Shane Lynch, Chris Collymore, Steve Fox, Dale Flaherty, Ryan Pacey and Ryan Parry; the spectators; the continual support of Alfie Lewis and my loyal and understanding wife Hayley.
