An MMA fighter went into action to stop a homeless man assaulting some people in the heart of Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood.
Ro Malabanan, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo black belt as well as a boxing instructor, was on his way to work when he saw Samuel Frazier treacherously hit a construction worker.
Malabanan, 44, dealt with the victim before chasing after the suspect and knocking him out. “My jiu-jitsu instinct took over. I jumped on his back – he said on Instagram – he tried to move me, but with one move I dragged him to the ground, I immediately grabbed his back and blocked him “.
Meanwhile, dozens of people gathered around the scene, who seeing Frazier on the ground accused him of numerous attacks. “Out of nowhere people would say, ‘Yes, this man punched me in the face’ ‘This hit me’, ‘He hit an old man too,’” Malabanan said.
According to testimonies collected by the police, Frazier allegedly launched “unprovoked” attacks on the head of a 50-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy. Malabanan instead reported that he was not interrogated by the police, because he had to quickly leave the area as late for work.
“They were coming on me.” With these words Frazier tried to justify himself when he found the wrestler on him, begging for mercy. “No, he doesn’t punch people in the face for any reason,” replied the boxer as tourists outside the Ice Cream Museum watched him.
Two officers intervened to put an end to the affair, handcuffing the homeless man while passersby shook hands with Malabanan. The boxing instructor, of Filipino descent, has lived in New York since he was 9 and told the New York Post that he was often bullied because of his Asian origin.
His career as a professional fighter was cut short due to concussions. He is now a martial arts and boxing instructor as well as an aspiring actor and in his gym he helps other New Yorkers deal with criminals by teaching them self-defense techniques.
“It’s a day like any other – he said – There are a lot of crazy people on the streets right now, so be careful. They will hit you treacherously. They will take their frustrations out on you ”.
