Downpatrick's Gary Noade put in an impressive performance last weekend as he continued his warm up to an Intercontinental kickboxing title. The British and European welterweight champion faced Scottish Champion Zander Patterson at the Ulster Hall on Sunday. Noade started strongly, putting the Scot on the back foot with his strong boxing skills and looked like heading for a win within the distance. However, Patterson wasn't going to give up with out a fight and dug deep in the second after taking some hard shots. He spoilt Noade's flow and worked his way back into the fight, despite being caught in the corner on a number of occasions. In the end Noade won it but not by much on a close points decision . Noade said: "It was a great result against Zander, he is a very competent fighter who can make things very awkward. My aim is the Intercontinental title, but I need a couple more fights like this to prepare properly. I am aiming for the Ulster Hall on October 5."

Its was meant to be a brighter Day -
Newtownards kickboxer Paul Day made another comeback to the competitive ring when he took on former Intercontinental Champion Willie White of Scotland. Paul who has suffered many disappointing breaks from the sport was due to face the Scot in June at the Park Avenue Hotel in Belfast. However, on that occasion he failed to pass a medical due to a chest infection.
This was a big step up in class for the local man who has come down from 72kg to 63 kg for the lightweight contest over 4x2 minute rounds. However, again the bout never really got under way and the two boys settled for a four round move around, a draw was given.

Belfast's Marc Caddoo made an impressive comeback to kickboxing after a year out of competition. The Light Heavyweight beat Scotland's David Hill in a three round contest at the Ulster Hall last Sunday. Caddoo kept his Scottish counterpart under sustained pressure, with lethal kick combinations and good use of his left jab, resulting in a comfortable points victory. His record now stands at four fights, three wins, one loss.

Outer bouts on the card Tony Millar was up against Darran McNally and top Belfast Pro Gary Hamilton sheared the ring with top Scottish Pro Jan Cree. Also Andrew Grimison won by a walk over.

James Gillen from Craigavon enjoyed a return to form in the kickboxing ring last weekend. The Super-Heavyweight started strongly, forcing the Scotsman into the corner on numerous occasions with strong kick and punch combinations. Hill, with over one hundred amateur boxing bouts to his credit, was just piped at the post, but all credit to him for taking the fight against the heavyer Craigavon man Gillen which brings James tally to four fights three wins.

The Ulster Hall show was the culmination of a packed weekend for ProKick kickboxing club in Belfast. Members from across the province converged on Saturday at Belfast's City Hall for a sponsored fun run to raise funds and the profile of the sport. Over a hundred walkers and runners paraded from the Wilgar Street gym in the east of the city to the city centre accompanied by police escort where they gathered for photographs outside the City Hall. Up to £2,000 was collected for clubs across the province. And, on Saturday, over 100 fighters of the future took part in gradings to progress to the next level of proficiency at the sport.

Prokick Gym
Wilgar street
Belfast
BT4 3BL
N, Ireland
t: 00 44 (0)2890 651074
f: 00 44 (0)2890 656415
e: prokick@group.tm