Episode 47a - 5th Deg Assoc Professor Ed Cabrera, Kenpo Fusion, Florida, USA (Part 1 of 2)

🎙️ **Welcome to The Mind Sensei Podcast – Part 1 of a Special Two-Part Episode!** 🎙️  

In this first installment, we sit down with a true martial arts innovator— Mr. Ed Cabrera practitioner of Kenpo Fusion.

With a career spanning decades, Mr. Cabrera began his journey in **Western boxing**, winning the **Central Pennsylvania Golden Gloves**

in 1980 before transitioning into the martial arts. Earning his **black belt in Moo Duk Kwan**, he later discovered **Ed Parker’s Kenpo**, where he trained under some of the most respected names in the art, including **Mr. Lee Wedlake, Huk Planas, and Frank Trejo**.  

In this episode, we explore Mr. Cabrera’s early days in **boxing and martial arts**, his transition into Kenpo, and how his diverse background led to the adaptation of **Kenpo Fusion**—a system that blends the structured techniques of Ed Parker’s Kenpo with the powerful striking mechanics of boxing.  

This is just the beginning! In **Part 2**, we’ll take a deeper dive into the principles behind Kenpo Fusion, his experiences training alongside martial arts legends, and the evolution of his system.  

**Started in Western Boxing**: Began boxing in 1970 at the **Lancaster Boxing Club** in Pennsylvania, training under **“Bumper” Stewart**, later continuing at **Lancaster Health Spa** with **“Uncle Milt”** and **Barry Stumpf**.

- **Golden Gloves Champion**: Won the **Central Pennsylvania Golden Gloves** in 1980 and finished with over 100 amateur fights.

- **Moo Duk Kwan (Korean Martial Art)**: Started training in **Moo Duk Kwan** in 1978 under **Edwin "Pap" Pagan** and earned his **black belt in 1986**.

- **Kenpo Journey**: Introduced to **Ed Parker’s Kenpo** in 1987 by **Sean P. Kelley**. Received his **1st degree black belt** in Kenpo in 1990 in the presence of **Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker**.

- **Continued Training**: Became a student of **Mr. Lee Wedlake** in 1997, where he earned his **4th degree black belt**. Currently still trains under Mr. Wedlake.

- **Seminar Experience**: Participated in seminars with renowned Kenpo instructors like **Huk Planas, Frank Trejo, Tom Kelly, Joe Palanzo, Jeff Speakman, and more**. Also trained with world-class fighters including **Joe Lewis, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Bart Vale, and Billy Blanks**.

- **Owned a Dojo**: Owned **Cabrera Karate Center** in Tampa, FL (1990-1997), where he hosted seminars from various martial arts legends.

- **Kenpo Fusion**: adapted **Kenpo Fusion**, blending the striking mechanics of **boxing** with **Ed Parker’s Kenpo techniques**, focusing on enhancing power and contact in self-defense applications.

- **Author**: Currently writing a book on **Kenpo Fusion**. Several segments on the system can be found on **KenpoTV.net**.

- **Teaching**: Offers private lessons and has been a staff instructor at various training camps.

We’ve only scratched the surface of his incredible journey—from his early days as a Golden Gloves boxer to his transition into martial arts and the foundations of **Kenpo Fusion**. His dedication to blending **the precision of Kenpo with the power of boxing** is truly inspiring, and there’s so much more to uncover. 

But we’re not done yet! In **Part 2**, we’ll dive deeper into the evolution of **Kenpo Fusion**, Mr. Cabrera’s experiences training with martial arts legends, and the philosophy behind his innovative system.  

**Make sure to subscribe, follow, and stay tuned—Part 2 is coming soon!**

If you’d like to connect with today’s guest, **Mr. Ed Cabrera**, and learn more about his **Kenpo Fusion** system or book a seminar, here’s how you can reach out:

📩 **Contact Mr. Cabrera**:  

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