BoxRec

A Kempo expert named Miles Crenshaw claimed he wanted to accept the challenge to fight boxer Milo Savage back in 1963 but Ed Parker wouldn't allow it because he felt that Crenshaw would hurt Savage very bad. That account is contradicted by Lebell's claim that Parker chose him for his sadism.

A writer named Jim Beck provoked the match by writing an article denouncing "Judo Bums"- but it seemed that Beck had judo confused with karate because he mocked the board breaking exhibitions done by judo players; of course, board breaking is done in karate and not judo.

As for the match itself, Lebell claims that Savage had on gloves with a metal bar across the knuckles- an assertion that, if true, could have subjected Savage to criminal charges, similar to the Luis Resto-Billy Collins incident 20 years later.

I'm interested in any thoughts about the Lebell-Savage mixed match.

This is really the Godfather of Modern MMA and The UFC. Milo Savage was a very highly touted contender and he actually lived in the Trenton N.J area later in his life. He trained some locals and judged fights down Atlantic City. Gene Lebell was an AAU Judo champion on a few different occasions and did some pro wrestling for his family trained with some of the toughest baddest shooters in the business. He was the real deal. The match had to be fought in Salt Lake City Utah because other commissions would not sanction it. It was classified as a duel instead of a fight. The martial arts at that time were fairly new to the American public and not knowing who Gene was many thought he was in for a shellacking from Milo. When Beck first wrote the article for Rogue Magazine many thought he was going to challenge the martial artist himself. He made some pretty derogatory even racist comments. Gene was a sadist bastard as Parker referred to him as so he was up for the challenge. I do not think Savage knew what he was getting into and he found out and paid the price rather painfully. He was choked to unconsciousness and he wore a gi top and Gene stepped on his head at the end. It took a little while to get Milo conscious again at the conclusion. Yes Gene earned one thousand dollars on that evening of December 2 1963 and a place in history as well.

Gene was no joke. Made Seagall pee in his pants. For that, he gets mad respect.