Sunshine F.

I began my fighting career in Phoenix, Arizona as an amateur kickboxer and boxer. I began my Muay Thai training in 1995 under Bunkerd Faphimai until meeting up with my long time Muay Thai and Boxing coach, Bob Karmel. I trained consistently in the martial arts, starting with Tae Kwon Do at age 13, and moving on to various other arts until finding Muay Thai. I took my kickboxing career as far as possible, fighting at every available opportunity, which included bouts in Mexico, Ukraine and throughout the USA. I also been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and had my first MMA bout in 1997 in Phoenix, AZ. I won three Thai boxing titles, including the IKF Welterweight Muay Thai title. My final two professional Thaiboxing matches were fought in the Ukraine with me being the only female member on USKBA Team USA in November 2001.

I began to supplement my Muay Thai training with boxing early in mycareer to combat the periods of inactivity I experienced in Muay Thai. I began training with Willie Borchert in Phoenix in 1996. I fought Arizona Golden Gloves and moved on to the Everlast Women’s National Championships, held in California, where I won the silver medal in 1998.

I began my professional boxing career on January 21, 2001 in Bakersfield, California. During this time, I was still training in Muay Thai with hopes of picking up more fights in that style. Along with MY trainer, I decided it would be best to train full time in one sport or the other and had to choose either boxing or Muay Thai. My trainer and I realized that the two styles of boxing and Muay Thai were much too different and in order to be successful at one, I would have to give up the other. I, reluctantly at first, chose boxing simply because of more fight opportunities in that sport.

Throughout my boxing career, I was known for taking tough fights, and often in the other fighter’s hometown. I have fought the toughest boxers, including Lucia Ryjker and Anne Wolfe, and often took fights outside of my weight class. I have fought as low as 135 or Super Lightweight and as high as Super Middleweight, simply for the opportunity to fight. I have never been knocked down or KO’d in any of my bouts, boxing or Muay Thai.

I retired from competition in 2004 after having won three world boxing titles. I held the IFBA, WIBC and WIBF World Welterweight titles as a professional boxer.

Having coached Muay Thai and boxing at several gyms in the valley, I now own a Training company in Tempe, Arizona with my partner, Bob Karmel. I am a coach for both boxing and Muay Thai and hold daily group classes and private lessons. I am also a certified personal trainer and lead my clients through detailed and customized plans of action that focus on weight loss or gain, strength, speed etc., depending on individual client needs.

I have trained many successful competitors, both male and female, including the current 151 pound men’s Arizona Golden Gloves Champion as well as the USMTA 159 pound State Muay Thai Champion.

3 Time Word Welterweight Boxing Champion
3 Time Muay Thai/Kickboxing Champion

I Have coached several fighters to championships in both Muay Thai and Boxing. Also work with people who want to learn the sport of Muay Thai and use it to achieve their weight loss and fitness goals.

Warm Up
Technique Drills
Pad Work
Calistenics
Stretching