The “Speed Bag community”, or speed “ball” in some places, is truly world wide, with avid users in almost every country. People of all types, races, religions, political affiliations and professions. From the everyday folk to the rich and famous…. There are dedicated speed baggers. Through online outlets such as Speedbagforums.com, Facebook, instagram, twitter, tic-toc, and the annual gathering, many have found each other to communicate, demonstrate and share our common use and fascination with the speed bag. We collective call each other “Baggers” and speedbagcentral.com recognizes and respect all people who use the speed bag.
This page will feature pictures of Baggers that are known to SpeedBagCentral and have substantially impacted the speed bag community as a whole, or are great ambassadors of speed bag training. It is by no means exhaustive.
DEANO
“Deano” came all the way from Australia to meet “the speed bag yanks” and show his unique “Aussie speed ball punching” style.
Deano punching at Speed Bag Gathering 2010
Zach Ruffo – SpeedBagSkunk
Our first meeting was in May 2007 at a teaching seminar at the LA Boxing Gym in Orlando, Ca.
Zach Ruffo became a legendary bagger when he picked up a sponsorship by Everlast and appeared around nation doing demonstrations at sporting good shows. As a “baggers bagger”, he loves to teach and quickly amassed a following all his own and brought many under the board to learn his ways.
His video archive on youtube is substantial check out his Instagram.
Justin Buffamonte (Juxt)
Justin is a quiet, unassuming speed bag wizard.
One of the first to master the “Aussie” style first demonstrated buy Deano, Justin went on to master the vertical bag as well.
Matthew Santiago
In only a few short years Matt Mastered every possible combination as well as the Art of Punch Drumming, or hitting the speed bag with music.
He is one of the featured baggers in the Documentary, The ART Of The Bag
and was the first “non-boxing” speed bagger to ever be featured in a Television Commercial, Gillette Training Tracks
Matt also attended a special Speed Bag Gathering in Reno Nevada, March 2015
Tommy Tabino (SpeedyT)
Tommy is a 6ft 6in Gentle giant who has mastered all things speed bag. He has developed some of the most complex double and triple bumping elbow combinations we’ve ever seen.
Tommy T on speed bag SpeedyT on Instagram
John Street, UK
John street is one of the “”Go To” Guys in Hollywood Stunt coordination or fight arranging. He also trains many actors for different roles and helps “get them in shape” for films demanding physicality, particular in movies featuring armed services. You’ve most likely seen him in a film to two.
In younger days, John served as a Royal Marine Reserve. Arctic Warfare, Unarmed Combat Instructor, Sniper. So yes, he’s the real deal. And when he’s not on set, he’s training…and loving the speed bag.
Dr. LISA PERRONE, PH.D (SpeedBag4Life)
Lisa has been one of the longest known friends of SpeedBagCentral. She started her speed bag career as a student of George Kam, in Hawaii. Then to Atlanta, Back to Hawaii, Florida, Boston….. and other places. Along the way she has collected her PH.D in Math, Doctor of Dentistry and now becoming an Oral Surgeon. We know she’ll figure it out, just like she did the Speed Bag, which she has mastered. In the speed bag community she is known as “Speedbag4Life” . She is a regular at the Speed Bag Gatherings in Keyport N.J.
Denise Goheen Mandeville “MsDeville”
Dee “MsDeville” has been a long time member of Speedbagforums.com and the originator of the very popular “Deville Swivel“, an excellent Ball-hook swivel that she produced for several years. She was a stable at many of the annual Speed Bag Gatherings.
Dee has left a noticeable mark on the speed bag world as a lady bagmaster and amazing punch drummer. She leave a very impressive body of work!
Jeff Thrasher
Jeff is a relative new comer to the speed bag family but he has already left a serious mark on the bagging world. As the creator and producer of the Evo series of Ballhook swivels, he has quickly become the one of the “Go To Guys” for a top quality, fast and accurate swivel.
His skills under the board are impressive and always improving. He also has a great desire for teaching speed bag skills. Check out his sizeable postings on youtube. and Instagram
Nate Holdener & Brad Bachmann
They are known as “The Dynamic Duo” from around Buckley Washington, and also as two of THE finest artists under the board. Most of us just stop and watch in Awe when either one of them cut loose….and then we all try to figure it out! They are fast, furious and some of the most complex Bible Style Baggers around, and also excellent Punch Drummers. Related and living miles apart, they often train together and push the limits of speed bag skills. That said, they are two of the kindest, considerate and wonderful guys you could ever meet. Both will spend time teaching anyone their special bag magic.
Nate, Alan and Brad at Speed Bag Gathering 2021
Check out their respective Youtube channels to get a taste. But trust us…. Video does NOT do these two justice. You really need to experience them “live” just a few feet from the board to get the full effect.
Nate Holdener – Youtube Nate-Instagram Brad Bachmann – Youtube Brad-Instagram
David Assmann – Baden-Wuerttemberg Germany
We have to recognize an amazing speed bagger and Punch Drummer Extraordinaire, known as “Dizzy_D” to most of the bagging world. We have not had the pleasure to meet him in person yet, but we are in great hopes it happens at our next gathering. Always joyous to watch, ..punching dead on-beat with one of the best smiles under the board! check him out on youtube! Instagram page
