Championship Kickboxing in Belfast
6th February 1999

Pro-Kick held a major event at the Park Avenue Hotel on the 6th February. click here to read results in brief

Saturday night - fight night saw a packed, standing room only event at the Park Avenue Hotel. There were fears that the event would be cancelled as four competitors from England pulled out just hours before the event, but the ProKick team worked relentlessly to make the event a success. VIP guests from across the province sat at ringside along with NTL's ON-TV Production Advisors.

The show started with a brief demonstration of the rules from the ProKick kids to help educate some of the public who have never before attended a KickBoxing Event. First bout of the night. Glen McClure (Belfast, ProKick) Vs Lee Young (Ballnahinch). All credit due to Lee Young for a short notice step in for Calvin Carson of England. Referee stopped Young from taking any further punishment in the second round

 

             

 

 

 

It was Dave Ralston (Scotland, fighting out of Belfast) against David Hamilton (Belfast). This was a bout made under three styles of fighting, first round was full contact rules, second round was free style (leg kicks) and the third and final round was Thai Style. This was a first - for fight fans in Belfast to see three styles in one fight. The bout was declared a Draw. Dave Ralston was a substitute for Mark Leach of Australia.

The first North versus South clash of the evening was Belfast's John McFarland versus Dave Tomes of Galway. The match was made at 70 kilos; this was a very stylish and hard fought fight with both boxers not wanting to give any quarter. A difficult one for the judges as the fight swayed from one side to the other, but a majority decision eventually went to ProKick's own John McFarland.

 

Just before the second half, two Chipnotic dancers entertained the massed audience with their agility and dancing skills. It was easy to see why they are British Champions.

 

 

 

Kenny Bishop ( Belfast Pro-kick) versus Mike Fitz (England). Unfortunately Fitz was not fit to make the trip across the Irish Sea. WKN World Professional Champion, Mark Waters who was in Belfast on a working holiday stepped in to take the young hopeful around the ring for a few rounds. There was no decision on this bout; Mark Waters will defend his WKN World Title in France next month. Kenny Bishop said after the bout that he was honoured to share the ring with such an experienced KickBoxer.

 

Sheldon Schutzler v Simon Dore

One of the fights that everyone was waiting for was South African Sheldon Schutzler now fighting out of Belfast. Schutzler was up against one of England's finest KickBoxers, Simon Dore under the watchful eye of his mentor Jagtar Johal.

Sheldon Schutzler
 Schutzler v Dore Simon Dore

 

 The now back on form " Sharp Shooter" was dubbed last June as the "Sharp Shooter Fires Blanks" after his crashing defeat for the European Title against Frenchman Tierry Violette. But on this occasion the Sharp Shooter had all his barrels loaded and was ready for action. An added bonus for Sheldon was that his father flew in from South Africa to give his son moral support and encouragement. Round 1. Started cautiously with Simon dictating the terms. Schutzler opened up in the second with low kicks and suddenly brought a left roundhouse kick up high to the head of Dore, which knocked him to the canvas for a count of 9! Back on his feet, Dore showed why he is a Commonwealth Champion, but Schutzler poured on the pressure throughout the rest of the round. It was a very competitive contest in the third and fourth with Dore again dictating the fight, but Sheldon's experience in the low leg kick division was coming to the fore, as Simon was clearly hurt in the last round, and looked on shaky ground. It was down the judges to decide the winner of this 5X2 minute round non-title contest, and the unanimous decision went to Schutzler. Credit must be given to Simon Dore; this was his first low leg kick bout.

 

WKN Irish Title Bout

 

Gary and Leo

 

The final bout of the night was for the All-Ireland WKN Irish Title at the 62kilo-weight division. From Belfast Gary Hamilton from the ProKick was up against Galway's Leo Wemyss fighting out of the Black Dragon club. The pair met last December in a non-title fight in Galway, on that occasion Hamilton lost on points to Wemyss over 3X2 minute rounds. This time Belfast was ready, and excitement permeated the auditorium as the crowd hoped and prayed for a home victory. The tension mounted when the music of Belfast Child filled the room and Hamilton entered into a hail of cheers and applause. This bout was over 5x2 minute rounds. The first round Wemyss started very fast and clearly worked on the inside, where his strengths lie. Both fighters were shaken in the opening round due to an accidental head clash, Hamilton requiring medical attention. The anxious Park Avenue audience were silenced as they awaited the Doctor's decision, to see if the bout was permitted to continue. Doctor Juliette Jennings said Yes! The crowd leapt to their feet - ' come on Gary ' - in an excited wave of support for Gary Hamilton. For the next three rounds fight fans witnessed a very competitive bout with Hamilton just edging in front due to his fitness. The fifth and final round Hamilton came out with both barrels blazing, keeping Wemyss under pressure and without room to manoeuvre. The final bell tolled, and it was up to the judges. Both young men were brought to the centre of the ring by outstanding referee Andrew Harran. Again there was silence. Until Hamilton was declared the new Irish WKN (World Kickboxing Network) Full Contact Champion. Leo Wemyss also was given a great tribute after the fight with a standing ovation for his gallant effort.

 

Billy Murray and the ProKick Team wish to thank everyone behind the scenes and everyone who worked so hard on the night who made this event possible.

Without their continued support events like this would not be possible. BACK TO PROKICK

 

Results in Brief

1

Glen McClure
Winner (RSF)
Lee Young
2
Dave Ralston
Draw
David Hamilton
3
John McFarland
Winner Points
Dave Tomes
4
Kenny Bishop
Demonstration Bout
Mark Waters
5
Sheldon Schutzler
Winner Points

Simon Dore

 
   
WKN Irish Title Bout
  
6

Gary Hamilton
Winner Points
Leo Wemyss

 

 

 

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