Many Milwaukeeans might not know it, but the city is on the kickboxing and hybrid K-1 fighting map worldwide thanks to Jeff "Duke" Roufus.

Roufus is one of America's best-known kickboxers. He is the former ISKA, WKA, WAKO and IKF World Heavyweight Champion.

His gym on the south side of town also is a training place for other fine kickboxers and boxers.

Known for his incredible clubbing power, Roufus gained international recognition for his one-round knockout of Stan "The Man" Longinidis. Longinidis was a tough-nosed Australian boy from the wrong side of town with a record eight world heavyweight titles under his belt, 100 fights and 20 years on the international kickboxing circuit.

Roufus and his fighters have competed successfully in virtually every venue of full-contact fighting from Muay Thai to American kickboxing rules. In fact, Duke has fought in many disciplines all around the world including the K-1 event.

Roufus is retired from active fighting right now but still is in fighting shape and currently instructs Giuseppe "The Godfather" DeNatale as he prepares for his next K-1 battle. Roufus has some definite opinions about kickboxing, the hybrid K-1 fighting and other things.

"That is a problem that too many kickboxers fight too often." Roufus says. "Their biorhythms are off. You cannot get up for every fight. It is not like playing in the NBA. If you do not score enough baskets in our sport, you will be laying on the canvas."

As for the K-1 tournament format, The Duke says, "I do not like the tournament itself, but in this sport we do not have a lot of choices. If you want to be the best you have to go out there and fight the best. If you are going to talk the talk then you better walk the walk.

"I think that is the best way to get you established worldwide. Ten to 12 rounds of boxing are still harder than, three to four rounds of K-1. A boxer will take more continuous trauma to the head than a kickboxer."

Roufus, whose brother Rick is also a pro fighter, believes American boxers are ahead of the rest of the world, but not U.S. kickboxers and K-1 fighters.

"One thing boxing has done," says Duke, "is that they have amateurs. Amateurs are the backbone of the professionals. It is the only way we can produce good fighters because in Thai boxing and Kickboxing we are so far behind the rest of the world."

Duke has the best attitude about his future. He is not trying to produce a professional athlete but a lot of amateurs. Sure he hopes to bring one or two talented fighters into the K-1 ring this year, maybe even raise a few champions, but that's not as important to him as a safe fight.

Safety is emphasized at his gym, where men and women train. Roufus gets along with everyone and has even made acquaintances with legends such as Chuck Norris. Some members of the Milwaukee Police Department also work out at his gym.

You can learn the disciplines of safe and strategic fighting techniques at the Duke Roufus Gym, 111 W. Virginia St.