Watch my Back

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WHOM WOULD I CHOOSE TO BACK ME UP
By Maurice Msarsa During my lifetime I met many people. Some with martial arts training. Others with street survival skills. Many were aggressive. Some were laid back with no care in the world. We have seen (and will continue to see) the weak, the strong, the flashy, the disciplined, the fearless, the tough, the hotshots, the “wannabes”, and those with none of these qualities. In the martial arts our paths also cross those of many people. Some are not well trained. They excel at what Master Long called “karate-show”. The well trained excel at “karate-do”. Sometimes we observe their abilities and accomplishments in awe. Their kicks, punches, and takedowns at the dojo are picture perfect. At tournaments, those with kata and kumite skills are the trophy winners. Some can build a reputation without ever getting their nose bloodied. Some are very capable of holding their own against attackers on the street. Some are not. Some will probably go through their lifetime without such an experience. Grandmaster Harold Long had his opinion known as to what he thought of the ability of some of the Isshinryu practitioners. He had very high praise for some. He identified some (in his book and during workout sessions) that he would like to back him up in street confrontations. Many people often wonder as to whom they would like to back them up in the event of a street fight. I have given that some thought and from all the people I met or know about, I settled on five individuals any of whom I would be honored if they stood by my side. I will present them in the order that I met them.

  
By Maurice Msarsa


During my lifetime I met many people. Some with martial arts training.  
Others with street survival skills. Many were aggressive. Some were 
laid back with no care in the world. We have seen (and will continue 
to see) the weak, the strong, the flashy, the disciplined, the fearless, 
the tough, the hotshots, the “wannabes”, and those with none of these qualities.

In the martial arts our paths also cross those of many people. Some 
are not well trained. They excel at what Master Long called “karate-show”. 
The well trained excel at “karate-do”. Sometimes we observe their abilities 
and accomplishments in awe. Their kicks, punches, and takedowns at the 
dojo are picture perfect. At tournaments, those with kata and kumite skills 
are the trophy winners. Some can build a reputation without ever getting 
their nose bloodied. Some are very capable of holding their own against 
attackers on the street. Some are not. Some will probably go through their 
lifetime without such an experience.

Grandmaster Harold Long had his opinion known as to what he thought 
of the ability of some of the Isshinryu practitioners. He had very high 
praise for some. He identified some (in his book and during workout sessions) 
that he would like to back him up in street confrontations.   

Many people often wonder as to whom they would like to back them up in the 
event of a street fight. I have given that some thought and from all the people 
I met or know about, I settled on five individuals any of whom I would be honored 
if they stood by my side. I will present them in the order that I met them.

WHOM WOULD I CHOOSE TO BACK ME UP

I met Master Long in 1965 when I signed up at the dojo. He was about one or two years older than me. He was my height and weighed about 175 -180 lbs. His straightforward kick was like the crack of a whip. His punches and kicks were delivered with awesome power. I speak from experience… I felt them… and forty years later I still feel the effects of a side thrust kick that rattled my spine. He demanded respect, and he got it. During the early years some well-known pro wrestlers worked out with Mr. Long. They would openly say that they hoped they would never have to face him in hand-to-hand combat. Many of us agreed that our vision of him and his abilities could be summed up like this…If Mr. Long and any other person (or persons) were locked in a room to fight it out…Mr. Long would be the one to survive and walk out.
Glenn Webb. I met Glenn shortly after I signed up at the dojo. He was a mild mannered slow talking person that was careful in what he said. He was built like a lumberjack. He was one of the black belt instructors that Mr. Long depended on. Glenn was a big guy that moved very swiftly. He was very quick and delivered very powerful kicks and punches…the kind that stop a man in his tracks. He was not the type that looked for a fight… fights seemed to find him. When I instructed at the police academy, some of the policemen would tell me about cases they investigated where Glenn destroyed multiple attackers. Glenn would never say anything about them. He once traveled by motorcycle from Tennessee to California and visited as many dojos as he could find… Always leaving his mark. Once he fought some high ranking “champion” from the east coast. He finished him off in 15 seconds. Glenn dropped out of the martial arts circles a few years ago.
Denny Shaffer. I met Denny about the mid 1960’s. That was about the time he began his Isshinryu training under Mr. Long. He had earlier trained in Kung Fu. Denny projects an image of toughness and strength. His students from Nashville (and currently from Anderson, S.C) have been (and are) very well trained. Those that faced Denny, and felt his power, have a lot to remember and talk about. In the days of ancient Rome, Denny would have been one of the gladiators. A computer animator once took a picture of the last supper and added Denny standing behind Jesus. Then he said, “If Denny had been there, they would never have had the crucifixion!” That very well represents my image of Denny Shaffer.
Willie Wilson. Willie is the most devoted martial artist I know. He trains every day. I have known of him traveling to dojos in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and Texas, to train and learn new techniques. I met him at Mr. Long’s dojo in the early 1970’s. He always impressed me as being a fearless tough fighter. He holds black belts in four different martial arts disciplines. In his training, and that of his students, he strives for perfection. He does not accept second best. He can combine techniques from the different styles and use them very effectively. He is very strong and a very smart fighter. He moves like a cat and strikes like a tiger. He is very loyal. He will put all his abilities on the line to back up those to whom he swears allegiance.
Joe Laney. I have known Joe for over twenty years. He is one of Mr. Long’s first generation students. From the early days at the dojo, I could see that Joe was someone special. He was tough and not afraid to fight anyone regardless of his size or rank. He is a fierce fighter. More than most martial artists, Joe experienced and practiced his techniques in actual combative situations. During his service in law enforcement, and those where he served the courts as a “bounty hunter”, he faced many tough and hardened criminals that he had to fight before bringing them to justice. A good account of those experiences is documented in his book “Gotcha! Tales from a Black Belt Bounty Hunter.”

Isshinryu…One Heart table has been created and populated with pictures

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