There are three "fighters" in Texas Sport Karate that stand out over the years. Skipper Mullins, Demitrius Havanas and Raymond McCallum. McCallum out of the three had the longest career in American Sport Karate. McCallum out of the three competed in full-contact karate and sport karate at the same time, winning a grand championship at the Diamond Nationals one weekend and the next fighting in a 7 round full-contact match somewhere.

This article isn't about Raymond's' history, it is about one of his "exploits" and just to set the record straight, Raymond says he didn't bite Alvin Prouder's ear off in Los Angeles. Even though the story (or rather legend) about Ray, Alvin, and the ear is very colorful depending on who tells it. (Chico and Tim seem to be the perpetrators of the "biting the ear off" part of Ray and Alvin's "conflict" that day) But, it is "just not true according to Raymond.

This story is about one of the greatest nights in Sport Karate history. The match was between Steve "Nasty" Anderson and Raymond McCallum. It happened at the evening-finals at Roy Kurbans tournament, which was a major national event; the year was 82' or 83' (approximately).

As the event progressed during the day both Anderson and McCallum where walking around like they owned the place and Grand Champion Sparring. The event drew many of the great fighters from that period, Joey Shiflet, Linda Denley, Arlene Limas, Billy Blanks, Lori Lantrip, Tokey Hill, Richard Plowden and David Deaton just to name a few. In the sparring divisions for women, the event narrowed down to Linda and Arlene, their match was an event to remember, and maybe I will write about Ms. Denley next.

McCallum and Anderson were narrowing the fields in their respective divisions. There were many matches that evening and the variety of techniques and strategies were impressive. Finally the evening came down to Raymond McCallum and Steve "Nasty" Anderson. Before the match that evening both competitors were "having fun" verbally testing each other. At one point Mr. McCallum informed Mr. Anderson that he disliked his taste in uniforms (Anderson was wearing a "jump suit" with a zipper down the front, lightning bolts on the legs and pads in the shoulders). Ray's basic message was that he was going to "tear that thing" off, and "romp" him soundly while he did it. Anderson's reply was basically "go for it". These two would start some "spirited conversation" and a small crowd would gather then the two would break it up, just teasing the crowd, building anticipation and excitement. I personally enjoyed the "match" outside the ring as well as inside; these two men were the most colorful competitors through the 80's. Both men enjoyed the attention of the crowd and fighting, whether verbally or with hands and feet. I feel that the relationship between the two was similar to Mohammed Ali and Joe Frazier.

Anderson like McCallum was a master of controlling the distance and taking advantage of an opponent's momentary weakness due to poor angle of attack or defense. The match was incredible, Anderson using his long reach and superb footwork and McCallum using his incredible timing and sidekick. Raymond was in fine form that night and slipped through competitors legs like most people throw a "backfist". Earlier, McCallum handed Tokey Hill a defeat using his "cat-like" abilities as he slipped under and threw Hill down repeatedly. Like Mr. Hill, Raymond slipped around Anderson more than once and promptly threw him to the floor of the ring and "pounced" on him like a lion. Anderson fought all the way down and from the floor up, it was great!

The center referee, Ron Marchini (another American Sport Karate Legend) tried to separate the men. This was very difficult as both men were "going at it" with heart and soul. As Marchini would pull them apart, you could see Ray and Steve exchanging 'spirited words of encouragement and slander" to each other. Mr. Marchini had his hands full; his facial expressions told his feelings.

Marchini, McCallum and Anderson were in several magazines after the event. I remember several excellent photos of the match in Karate/Kung Fu Illustrated Magazine, one of Marchini pulling Raymond off of Anderson, the other of McCallum stopping Anderson with a sidekick as Marchini watched as center judge. Of course the best part was, I was there watching this in person. McCallum took the match and the Grand Champion trophy, also Anderson's "jump suit" was torn from neck to waist (and lower) seems McCallum came very close to "tearing that thing" off Anderson like he promised.

American Sport Karate misses Raymond McCallum and his pure form of fighting from the heart. Where is Raymond now? Living in Dallas with his beautiful wife and lively son. As I talk to martial artist all over America one question comes up in regards to Raymond, why did he "completely drop out of sport karate". Well, that's another article.

Those of you who would like Raymond McCallum to do a seminar at your school can contact the AYSMA. We can put you in contact with the "wandering ronin", Raymond McCallum another Texas Karate Legend.