International Kickboxing from Kilkenny 4/3/01

Promoter Paul Cummins had a sold out crowd in the Springhill Court Hotel, Kilkenny which witnessed their first taste of big time Kickboxing since Paul Cummins was crowned World Champion last year.

Frenchman Andre Alexi topped the bill against Ireland's Rory Burke in a bid to win the vacant WKN Pro-am World Title. The 2 met last September when Alexi stripped Burke of his Intercontinental Title in an all out battle in front of Belfast fight fans.

This time Burke was hungry for his revenge and the Irishman immediately took control of the fight, clearly winning the first 6 rounds of the 7 round fight, with constant kick and punch combinations keeping the Intercontinental champ at bay. Alexi never looked to be causing any threat until the last round, when he appeared to find a new lease of life. Burke was under extreme pressure as the Frenchman knew his only way of winning was with a knock out. Despite all Alexi's efforts it was too little too late and Burke was crowned World Champion with a clear points decision.

Belfast's Gary Hamilton also featured in a rematch against Gerry O'Brien of Kilkenny. Last time out Hamilton beat the Southern, when they did battle in their pro debuts. The fight was close throughout with both men putting each other under extreme pressure.

In the 1st round O'Brien came straight at Hamilton in an attempt to knock him out. However, Hamilton's supreme ring craft and footwork made him very difficult to hit and a great body shot really hurt O'Brien in the early stages. The fight continued the full distance with some good exchanges from both fighters. Hamilton won the decision, which brings him to 4 wins from 4 pro appearance.

Prokick's Mark McGuigan travelled to Kilkenny in pursuit of an Irish title on Sunday. The Lisburn man entered the ring after a great win last week in Belfast when he won by KO against Alan Thomas of Scotland. This time he did battle against Dublin's Steven Byrne. The fight went the full distance with very little splitting the 2 evenly matched fighters. However, it wasn't to be McGuigan's day as the point's decision went narrowly in favour of his opponent. This was Mcguigan's first taste of title contention, and without doubt it won't be his last.

In all, the event was a great success with some great action throughout the night. Well done to Paul Cummins and all who helped to make the night possible. Looking forward to more big events in the South of Ireland.



National reporter Robert Reid from the Sun News paper sits at ringside>
Full report Saturday 10th March.

RESULTS

Middleweight Rory Bourke (Kilkenny) Winner points vs Andre Alexi (France)

Lightwelterweight Gary Hamilton (Belfast) Winner points vs Gerry O'Brien(Kilkenny)

Welterweight Mohamed Kodad (France) Winner TKO vs Brian Bourke (Kilkenny)

Middleweight Darren Flynn (Waterford) Winner points vs Owen Doyle (Kilkenny)

Middleweight Irish Title Mark McGuigan (Lisburn) vs Stephen Byrne (Dublin) Winner points

Super Lightweight Derek Howe (Dublin) Winner points vs Max Paulenko (Russia)

Super lightweight Denis Keogh (Waterford) Winner TKO vs Paul Noone (Kilkenny)

Middleweight Paul Burn (Waterford) Winner points vs Paul Murphy (Kilkenny)

Middleweight James Bourke (Waterford) winner points vs Constantin Furtunia (Romania)

Demo Bout Martin Hoary (Kilkenny) vs Paul Goodall (England)

Judges: Adele Robinson (N. Ireland) Fred Atal (France/Ireland) Gary Langford (Scotland)

Referees: Andrew Harron, Gary Langford

Timekeeper: Malcom Hutchinson (N.I)

Master of Ceremonies: Patrick Murphy, flew in from England for the event.

Main Event Sponsors: McCorry Construction (Kilkenny)