In the past 20 years of the International Guild of Danse De Rue Savate, it
started as the Texas Association of Savate Boxe Francaise with its several clubs
in Texas. We have produced Champions in Boxing and Savate Boxe Francaise from
regional to the international arenas; it has shown its worth. I have personally
taught hundreds of students in the past 20 years both in the academies and
throughout the US within seminars where I have taught the essence of Danse De
Rue Savate.
I have had experiences that will last a thousand life times. I have made great
friends which I consider close to my heart as well as some that call my
brothers. I will express the bad experiences first with several students who
have shown great ingratitude’s, then clarify the good:
I had a student pull a gun and try to shoot me during a Friday night class in
Irving, since he found his mother in bed with the his uncle. That student due to
my consideration spent some time in the mental institution instead of the state
penitentiary.
I have had students steal from the school and find them later pawning the
equipment and memorabilia at the local pawn shops in Irving and in Laredo.
I stood up for the crimes committed against the youth of Laredo when the board
of the Laredo Amateur Boxing Club ill spend thousands and having a board member
threaten the life of my daughter for not withdrawing a lawsuit that they placed
against me, which went to the US Supreme Court for us to win.
I had
another student who under the influence was kicked out of the school for dealing
drugs. A month later he steals the USA SAVATE boxing ring and wreaks the trailer
leaving parts of the ring scattered throughout Laredo.
I have taught plenty who due to their financial situations have trained for
FREE; a month for some and some years; only for them to talk bad about the
school and the system; that I am not a good teacher one who teaches without care
or appreciation.
We have helped many students get jobs when they had none and will continue to do
that with love and admiration. Other students we have helped gain privileges to
become peace officers in Laredo or Webb County; only to slander our name
and turn their heads when they see us.
The most distorting news and the pain that I have suffered most was that I lost
2 students to the wars, which was a sad day when I heard the news.
Now the previous events that I have mentioned have been weaved with all the
envy, backstabbing and slandering, yet the following have made it all worth
while. I was told: that those who betray will be longing to be in the presence
of those they betrayed and realize what has been lost to them; just like the
traitor Judas Iscariot, of that he was not saved.
Out of the first school of Savate in the United States, the Guild emerged and
has had rippling effects through the world. Our teachings lead Finland to
started Savate, as well as enabled other Professeurs’ in the late 90’s and early
00’s to produce rogue elements of Danse de Rue into stylistic approaches of
Savate in Europe.
The travels of time have and the traditions passed down to me by my Professeurs
have enabled me to produce in Laredo the first girl: Nancy Liendo, to win the
Golden Gloves after Laredo’s great boxing history, only after three months of
training, after no coach in Laredo cared for the idea. In the short time that I
trained Competitors in Boxing we produced 19 out of 23 boxers that we took to
the golden Gloves between the years 1999 to 2001.
We created USA SAVATE for the sports of Savate to have a safe haven and became
the national governing body in the United States. In Texas it became part of the
Department of Licensing and Regulations meaning it was a legal combative sport
unlike its counter part martial art sports, it also became part of the
Educational Department of Texas.
Unlike my charlatan counterparts in the west coast who produce silver gloves
every weekend. I have only produced the following Silver Gloves 1er : Kevin
Menard, Patrick Gavin, Silvia Martinez and Kendall Martin in the past 15 years
thus bringing a close to the chapter of 1st generations. I have seen in these
students courage with fear in traveling the road that very few follow here in
the US, true apprentices with humility.
We have stepped up the vigilance in the community by tackling the problem of
showing for Free; to women of all ages how to prepare against a rape crisis. As
well as stepping into uncharted territory with teaching and focusing the
problems of bullying to our youth.
Yet, I have produced programs in the last year for young coaches to take
advantage and gain some instructional time as well as get paid for there time.
This is not seen in any other martial art organization in the United States.
Bringing forth the care of Savate once more to the Socio-Economically challenged
by setting up scholarship programs for those youth that wish to learn.
Many have asked me why Savate? What is Danse de Rue Savate? Why? Well the answer
that I give is, it is like seeing the smile of a child who has just seen a bird
fly for the first time that is Savate Danse De Rue…
May Peace and Harmony collectively embrace all Savateurs
Professeur Popeye
Paul-Raymond Buitron III
20 Years “Spirit Maker Seminar”
