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Danovis Pooler and the Martial Art of Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 04 Sep 2022
Master Danovis Pooler lives and breathes the martial art of boxing. One can say that the sweet science of bruising is his destiny- as both master and student. His innate ability to anticipate and avert danger is evident in his fighting and coaching style.
“Hit and try not to get hit,” he often says. ‘Tis his mantra brought about by the rough and tumbling streets of Oakland, California where he learned how to fight and when not to fight. His introduction to fighting began at age nine. In 1967, he fought off a potential abductor. He boxed and grappled for the high school team and progressed to collegiate wrestling, karate, and kickboxing.
“Early in life, I learned that the concepts of self-defense and self-preservation are intertwined,” Pooler once said and time and again emphasized, “As in any fighting style, a realistic but firm belief in yourself and your capabilities will get you started on the right path. It is wise to practice a discipline you believe in-be it boxing, grappling, karate, for example. Learn from your teachers, for they have been where you want to be.”
In the San Francisco, Bay Area fight scene, he is a revered boxing trainer, conditioning coach, and martial arts instructor---this according to his past prized fighters like Martha Salazar (the first female boxing WBC heavyweight champion), Mark Tabuso (now an accomplished Muay Thai Kru), and legendary fighters like Enn Fairtex and Jongsanan Fairtex.
Unbeknownst to many, he wrestles professionally in his spare time and goes by his nom-de-guerre “The Shadow”.
Twenty years ago, Coach Dee Pooler paved the way for Team Espinosa’s successful comeback trail.
“It has been an honor working with Luisito “Earthquake” Espinosa. His second-round demolition of the tough Colombian Ever Beleno, with promoter Oscar de la Hoya present, is something I will not forget. It is hard to believe that was 20 years ago on May 23, 2002."
In sum, he is someone you want in your corner as your coach, trainer, and (when needed) as a sparring partner.
Attached, please find his curriculum vitae.
- Fight Record (Combine Record in Boxing and Kickboxing): 58-5 (29 KO's)
- Professional Fighter, Boxing Manager and Trainer* USA Amateur Boxing Certified Instructor
- System: Shotokan (Karate-Based) with Boxing and Grappling
- Go Ju Ryu (Japanese剛柔流, Gōjū-ryū): 5th Dan Black Belt
- Shotokan (Japanese松濤館, Shōtōkan): 3rd Degree Black Belt
- Practitioner of the following Martial Arts:
- Jujutsu (Japanese: 柔術)
- Muay Thai (Thai: มวยไทย)
- Kung Fu, Gung Fu (Thong Fu) (Chinese: 功夫; Pinyin: gōngfu; Cantonese: gūng fū)
- Tae Kwon Do (Korean: 태권도/跆拳道)
- Strengths: Versatility, technique and skills in Western Boxing and Kickboxing
- Specialties: Physical Conditioning, Fight Strategies (Boxing and Martial Arts)
- Skills: Katana, Knife and Firearm defense, Greco-Roman/Freestyle collegiate wrestling
- WBC-recognized chief trainer of legendary 2-time world boxing champion Luisito “Earthquake” Espinosa (2001-2003)
Training and Military History
- Master Pooler began martial arts and boxing in 1967 at the age of 9
- Received his Black Belt degree in 1975 and has taught in the Bay Area ever since
- Served in 2 European Tours (6 years) for the United States Army a total of 10 years*
- Won 29 total bouts in West Germany during two tours of duty (Nuremberg, Frankfurt, Friedberg, etc.)
- 2nd Place in the 4th Army division brigade Open in the style of Jiu-Jitsu/Wrestling*
- 2nd Place in the Bomholden Military "The Rock" Boxing
- Served as Boxing/Karate Instructor, US Army Fort Nuremberg, West Germany
- Served as Boxing/Martial Arts Instructor at Hertzo Base, West Germany (3rd Armored Division)
- Served as Boxing/Martial Arts Instructor at Fort Ceal, Oklahoma in 1984
Accomplishments
- Top-ranked Trainer for Bay Area martial artists/boxers since the 1970's to present
- 1979-Fort Lewis, Washington Post Boxing Champion at 156lbs.
- 1980-German/American Boxing Champion
- 1981-1st Annual WKA Full Contact Champion (Danovis Pooler vs. John Santana)
- Top-ranked Kickboxer in the United States (IFCA/IKKC Federation) since 1996
- ISKA Cruiserweight World Champion Contender - Fought for the title November 2001 in Sydney, Australia
- Chief Trainer for THE SHADOW TEAM, and Fairtex Combat Sports Gym, Daly City (2000-2004)
Fighters (Past and Present)
- Luisito "Lindol" Espinosa, 2-time world champion (WBA bantamweight 1989-91 and WBC featherweight champion 1995-1999). Official boxing trainer 2001-2003.
- The late Alex “F-14” Gong (Junior-middleweight world champion, ISKA World Muay Thai)
- Jongsanan "Wooden Man" Fairtex (ISKA World Muay Thai and 2x Lumpinee champion, Thai Legend)
- Enn Fairtex (IKF World Champion, trainer of Lumpinee champion Neungsiam Fairtex)
- Martha Salazar (#2 WIBA World Ranked Female boxing heavyweight and IFCA World Women Champion (Undefeated in Kickboxing and 5-1 in Boxing)
- Gilbert "Hurricane" Jackson (British Title Contender)
- The late James "Dark Angel" Buggs
- Mark Tabuso (IFCA, IKF, ISKA, US, and California State Kickboxing champion)
- Ronnie Wells (IFCA, IKF, ISKA Cruiserweight Champion (11-3 record)
- Blanca Hilder (IKF Pacific Coast champion (15-4 record) IFCA State Champion)
- Donovan Pooler (Golden Gloves Champion Amateur Boxing 1999-2000)
- Anthony McCray (Diamond Belt, and Golden Gloves heavyweight Champion 2003)
- Guadalupe “El Dragon” (highly skilled Level 3 in Wing Chun Kung Fu of the Master Gary Lam System)
- Trained with legendary fighters
- JC Cannon
- Gordon Monk
- Robert Kincaid (WKA sponsor)
- Robert Ward
- Trained/Sparred with
- Aundraius Linermon, West Germany, World Champion-- Battle of Atlanta, 1979
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.
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