MMA: Chuck Zito Interview

By: James M. Mc Cann

Location: United Kingdom
Title: Interview with MMA star : Chuck Zito

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Chuck Zito has been many things over the course of his life; actor, bodyguard, Hell’s Angel and martial artist. He has worked, and fought, in some of the toughest and most dangerous places on the planet. He is not a man to be messed with.

He also happens to be a smart, articulate man, who promotes peace and love whenever he is gets the chance.

This is the Chuck Zito Interview. Enjoy….

James: Mr Zito, when and where were you born?

Chuck: Bronx Hospital, Bronx, N.Y.

James: What type of childhood did you have?

Chuck: We were poor living in the Bronx, a simple life, in the summer my beach consisted of opening the Johnny pumps (fire hydrants) to go swimming.

James: What..........
first got you into boxing?

Chuck: My father was a professional boxer in the 30's & 40's and fought as a lightweight and welterweight under the name Al LaBarba, In those days a lot of fighters never used their real names, since he turned professional at 16, he couldn't use his real name.

James: What is your earliest fighting memory?

Chuck: When I was 5 years old my father got on his knees and started to teach me how to box, when I was 12 years old I had my first boxing match at the South Side Boys Club, in New Rochelle, N.Y.

James: What are your memories of competing in the Golden Gloves?

Chuck: I fought in the New York Daily News Golden Gloves 4 different times, its the oldest and longest boxing event in the country, and I fought in Madison Square Garden in the same ring as my father fought back in the 30's & 40's.

James: What first got you started in martial arts?

Chuck: After seeing Bruce Lee, in the Green Hornet, I went to Aaron Banks Karate Academy in Times Square, and started training with Master Chin, in White Crane, Tiger Claw, Kung Fu. From there I went on to train in Isshinruy Karate, Jukido jujitsu, Kumite Ryu Jujitsu, Vee Arnis Jitsu and now train at the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City.

James: What are your accomplishments in martial arts?

Chuck: I just received 5th degree in Isshinruy Karate. I was able to parlay all my martial art skills in the movie business. I wrote a great script about a martial artist, which I will play the lead role.

James: There were a lot of rumours about you competing in mixed martial arts, is this something you are planning on doing?

Chuck: It's not a rumor, that's why I'm training with Renzo Gracie, when I feel my ground game is as good as my stand up, I'll fight, it doesn't matter who or where !
I've boxed and trained with a lot of people in the ring and the gym, one fond memory was boxing Bill "Superfoot" Wallace at the Gramercy Gym on 14th street in New York City, circa 1980, where he broke my nose, and I was proud to say he did it.

James: What advise would you give someone who was interested in taking up martial arts or boxing?

Chuck: What ever system you train in, it will be a great learning experience for both your body and mind.

James: What are you memories of working as a body guard for Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn?

Chuck: Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn are good friends of mine for the last 30 years. I have a lot of fond memories about both of them, I would be all day writing about it

James: What advice would you give someone interested in becoming a bodyguard?

Chuck: It takes training and common sense to be a good bodyguard.

James: What happened between yourself and Jean-Claude Van Damme?

Chuck: Jean-Claude, was in 1998, it's something that happened, It's a shame that I received so much publicity from someone else's misfortune.

James: What is the Chuck Zito Street Survival System?

Chuck: Chuck Zito's Street Survival System, is all the martial arts of trained in, Boxing, White Crane & Tiger Claw Kung Fu, Isshinruy Karate, Jukido jujitsu, Kumite Ruy Jujitsu, Vee Arnis Jitsu, Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu, I've combined them all into my own system, and will soon open a Chuck Zito Street Survival School.

James: What messages do you have for your fans?

Chuck: For all my fans, I thank you for all your love and support you've given me all these years, and if only one of you was able to use any of my own positive experiences in your personnel life,.... then it was all worth it.

Yours in Bushido
Chuck Zito
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