Kassho, Michelle

Michel Cassot was born in 1794, in the eastern suburbs of Paris in Curtius. He lived where all the lower classes of society lived and there were daily fights between them. Since childhood, Michelle had to fight for a place in the sun and he was the best street fighter of his time. He asked other street fighters to teach them their tricks, then collecting them together and honed his street fighting techniques in fights to a very high level. In 1824 he wrote a pamphlet in which he outlined a list of hand-to-hand combat techniques. Soon he became famous and many people began to come to him who want to learn how to stand up for themselves. Already in 1825 he had to rent a room on Bouffeau Street in Paris. Both poor and rich people studied with him. There was even the Duke of Orleans, heir to the French throne. Envious of Kassho's popularity, famous street fighters came to him and challenged him, but he forever discouraged them from fighting with him. Kassho’s skill level in street fights, as well as the speed and power of the blows delivered by him in battle, no one could exceed until the end of his life. His mighty long arms with wide palms hit opponents in the head, neck, nose, and throat. After them, most often, the daredevil died or became disabled (if the street combat master did not beat at full strength). He also blocked his opponent’s blows with his hands; Michelle also used his legs in the battle. These were direct, circular, side kicks, shod in a rough shoe. They broke the ankle joint, lower leg, knocked out patella. Michelle later, in addition to the lower level, added kicks to the middle level in his system. One eyewitness described him in 1830 as follows: “Michel's face was pale, his eyes were gray, he was thin and bony, with long arms, legs and wide palms. The hands were strong and strong enough, they could be compared with a tree or stone. His gestures are quite fast, and his movements are flexible. Kassho is dressed in wide trousers and a brown jacket, from hats he preferred caps with a huge tassel, which hung to one side. ” He knew both money and fame - in the future his life was not formed in the best way. Michel Cassot died in 1869, completely broke, but he went down in history and became the forerunner of French boxing.

• V. Mazur. Hand-to-hand combat: The art of the "old shoe" (unopened) (2013). Date of treatment January 19, 2018.
• The great saviors (neopr.) . Date of treatment January 19, 2018.