Bkf

[warrior-scholar]

Just wondering if anyone out there has trained in the BKF system of Steve (Sanders) Muhammed and Donnie Williams? If so, can you perhaps say a few words about its similarities/differences with American Kenpo. I do realize that Master Muhammed was on the Parker fighting team etc.
Thanks

[Pomona BKF]

Just wondering if anyone out there has trained in the BKF system of Steve (Sanders) Muhammed and Donnie Williams? If so, can you perhaps say a few words about its similarities/differences with American Kenpo. I do realize that Master Muhammed was on the Parker fighting team etc.
Thanks


I know this response is several months late, but as a student of Grandmaster Muhammad and Senior Master Robert Temple I have done a lot of research on the history of the BKF.

Mr. Muhammad was a natural athlete, playing football in high school and college and as a receiver you had to have speed and hands. Mr. Muhammad was already a good street fighter and along with his quickness all Mr. Parker had to do was add Kenpo to his arsenal. Mr. Chuck Sullivan and Mr. Dan Inosanto was Mr. Muhammad's early instructors in the Parker System before studying directly with Mr. Parker and since Parker's Kenpo is an ever evolving art, they allowed Mr. Muhammad to use his natural ability to adjust and adapt. This is what made Mr. Muhammad one of the devastating fighters in the 60's & 70's.

Mr. Muhammad brought this flavor to the BKF, the ability to adapt. Almost all of the early BKF student were street kids that were either athletes and/or great street fighters, so all Mr. Muhammad had to do was add Mr. Parker's Kenpo into the mix that is why all BKF fighter fought with attitude. Fighters like: Robert Temple, Al "Hot Dog" Harvey, Alvin Prouder, Ray Wizard, Lenny Ferguson, Sammye Pace, Micheal Holmes, Cynthia Prouder, Sharon Floyd, and many others that are too numerous to mention. They were not only feared on the circuit, but untouchable on the streets.

I noticed when training with Mr. Sullivan's Karate Connection that a lot of moves defense and offense were very similar to what I learned in the BKF. I found it easy to adjust to the Karate Connections System, because the two style were so similar, so the only differences between traditional American Kenpo and the BKF system would be the attitudes of the fighters. Most BKF students came from and still come the inner-city or "The Hood" as we call it.

[Xperience]

Hi Gents/Ladies/Etc ~

Welcome PBKF, glad to see an 'experienced' response. My experience is second-hand, ergo my lack of response 'til the present. A buddy of mine (Henry Childers), who lives/teaches in Houston at this juncture, lived/worked in LA mall-security a couple of decades (or so) back; He & Steve had each-other's back, more than once. From what I've researched/studied/practiced & heard from Henry, BKF seems to me, to be an amalgamation of JKD, American Kenpo, various kung-fu's, and everyone's (BKF students/members) input-of-street-savy; Not a bad mix. By the way PBKF, please don't hesitate to correct me if I'm wrong; I like the facts, and am always willing to learn something new or a different point-of-view. ;) X