Master Steven Phillips, owner and headmaster of West Windsor TaeKwonDo and Kickboxing Academy, will defend his world light-heavy weight kickboxing title on Saturday, May 12, at his Clarksville Road studio. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.
Phillips, competing for the WPKO light-heavy weight kickboxing title, is the current holder of Professional Kickboxing Federation Amateur World light-heavyweight and PKF amateur New Jersey light-heavyweight titles. There will be a total of seven kickboxing matches that evening, including three title bouts — light-heavyweight, welter weight, and a women’s title match.
Born and raised in New Brunswick, his parents own a landscaping company in Somerset. Phillips began studying the Korean martial art of Tae Kwon Do in 1981 at the age of four. His early interest and dedicated training earned him a first Dan black belt by age 12. Shortly thereafter he began teaching classes and competed as a member of Rutgers University’s Tae Kwon Do team when he was only 14.
While studying Tae Kwon Do, he was introduced to the world of kickboxing. Phillips has appeared on several professional fight cards and remains undefeated as a kickboxer.
During his more than 20 years in the martial arts, Phillips has participated in hundreds of tournaments, and earned more than 90 championships and tournament grand championships.
Phillips, and his wife of seven years, Vanessa, are expecting their first child. She is a supervisor with Transportation Security Administration. They live in Linden.
“Students of the school benefit from my extensive martial arts experience and genuine interest in their development,” he says. “I stay alert to the individual needs of each student and guide students to their best efforts by helping them overcome their weaknesses and enhance their abilities.”
— Lynn Miller
Saturday Night Fights, West Windsor TaeKwonDo and Kickboxing Academy, 215 Clarksville Road, West Windsor, 609-799-0088. www.wwtaekwondo.com. Seven kickboxing matches including one featuring Master Steven Phillips defending his Professional Kickboxing Federation Amateur World Light-Heavyweight title. $20. Saturday, May 12, 7 p.m.
