Championship Kickboxing

Park Avenue Hotel, Belfast Saturday 26th May 2001

International Kickboxing was back at the Park Avenue Hotel - topping the bill was Alan Kilpatrick. Alan Kilpatrick stormed to double European Glory on Saturday night when he defeated the defending super bantamweight titleholder Joao De Almeida (Portugal). Alan won the fight in the first round after connecting with several clinical punches. The Portuguese man found the power of Kilpatrick to strong and after only one minute thirty found himself on the canvas. Almeida started the fight with some excellent kick and punch displays, however none of which managed to get past the guard of Kilpatrick who now holds the European crown at both Super bantamweight and flyweight. After the fight Alan said " I never underestimated Joao, his kick's were fast and he was immediately on the offensive, but I knew I had rocked him with an early right hook from which he dropped his guard and left him open for further attack's. It was fantastic feeling to claim my second title in front of the home fight fans".

Other matches.

Pro Belfast kickboxer - Gary Hamilton is set to challenge for the WKN Pro British title in the Ulster Hall 30th of June after he beat Switzerland's Flavio Turelli in superb style on Saturday night. Hamilton who lost his unbeaten record to Turelli in March was determined to win his revenge and controlled the fight through out, once again he demonstrated great power and agility as he connected with several blistering kick and punch routines. After five rounds of the scheduled seven rounder - Turelli looked to be struggling, and much to the delight of Hamilton and the Park Avenue Hotel fight fans. The Swiss man failed to leave his stool at the start of round six " I am so relieved to have evened the score with Turelli. I lost to him badly in Geneva after I had controlled the fight throughout. I'm back on track now and look forward to the British title challenge at Kickboxing Mania IV in front of the Ulster Hall fight fans. Hamilton said "My defeat against Turelli was a total shock. We all expect to lose sometime, but never like that. I won the first round clearly and probably got a bit complacent in the second, the next thing I knew I was on the seat of my pants. I twisted my knee on the way down and before I knew it the referee had stopped the fight. I'm really up for this return, I don't class it as revenge, I just want to even the score though. My preparation couldn't be going better, with fights in Dundee and in Bournemouth which were certainly no push over. I can't wait until next week it's always a great atmosphere in the Park Avenue."

Downpatrick's Gray Noade extended his unbeaten record to six wins as he beat England's Matt Turner. Noade constantly put the pressure on Turner won the bout on an all the judges cards. Noade who has impressed in every bout over the last year will almost certainly make his first title challenge on the 30th June when he hopes to claim the WKN Irish Title.

Prokick's Marc Caddoo and Michael Rainey also won their contest's against Nigel Jackson (England) and Nicolas Passanello (Switzerland). Marc Caddoo won his second fight by a clear points decision, whilst Michael Rainey stopped his Swiss opponent in the second round after over powering him with strong kick and punch routines. .

MC Introduction By Stephan Noaland

	- European Amateur Title -
Alan Kilpatrick (NI) Winner 1st round RSF	58kg vs	João De Almeida (Portugal)