Hi KickBoxing Fans - May 18th 2003

Got any news kickboxing? If so, please email it to - prokick@group.tm

GAIL BLOWING UP A STORM IN TORONTO
Prokick senior instructor Gail Hagan is currently in Canada honing her skills. Gail who is the instructor at the Ards and Bangor Prokick clubs was supposed to be on Holiday with husband Colin. However, two days into their vacation Colin found himself in a four hour road trip to the Twin Dragon Gym situated in Toronto. There Gail met up with Irish exports Michael and Martin McNamara , the Twin Dragons (see feature on page ) who played host to Billy Murray and his team last September when Gary Hamilton, Paul Cummins and James Gillen were competing Live on Canadian TV.

Gail didn’t just travel to the Twins Dragons to meet them, she made certain she would put in a training session or two and much to her surprise, twins Michael and Martin arranged for women’s World Champion Chantal. Nadon to join her. Chantal is currently training for a World title fight against French Belle Christine Mourer at Kickboxing Mania VI event on June 7th in the Ulster Hall Belfast. A full report and photographs will be in next weeks ForKicks. Some people just can’t get enough of kickboxing, poor Colin!.

THE CORK-ER CRAIG
Cork’s Craig O'Flynn will top the bill on his own show at the 3000 seater in his home city of Cork at the Neptune stadium - O'Flynn won the WKN world Thai tile when he beat top Thai Gahron Iss at the waterfront hall last year. The Cork-er Craig, will square up against Kongsak Sittadtrakan from Bangkok in a full Mauy Thai world title fight on a 12 fight card. Door open at 6:30pm First bout 7:30
Countries taking part are: Ireland , England , Holland , Denmark , Scotland and Thailand for ticket info contact Ireland’s top Thai fighter on Cork 0872041689.

FIGHTING IRISH ARE IN ACTION TODAY
Lets hope both our All Ireland Champions Nick Baird and Brian Boyd of Saintfield are both on time in Switzerland at the Post Tenebras Cup today. The lads are sure to have the toughest tests of their careers and are hoping for success in their final warm-up bouts before the big one on June 7th. Nick Baird takes on Swiss Champion Vadyn Lupo whilst Boyd faces the seasoned French fighter Damien Laconte. The two rising stars of Irish kickboxing both featured on UTV and BBC sport this week ahead of their trip and are confident in their ability to win more titles this year. “I hope to fight for a British title at the Mania event next month and I will be aiming to get a European title shot by the end of the year”. Said Baird. The ever confident Boyd said “As I have said before, I made the first step by winning the All Ireland belt, but I won’t be stopping there, I intend to take the British, Continental and World crowns and then see what my options are for turning pro”. Full report here next week.

TICKET MANIA
Promoter Billy Murray has announced that tickets are flying for his Kickboxing Mania VI promotion on June 7th. With three weeks to go until the biggest spectacle in the kickboxing calendar, there are just ten ringside tickets remaining and unreserved seating is selling fast and furious. In total there are ten bouts scheduled, six of which are either World or European title contests. All three styles, Thai Boxing, Freestyle and Full-Contact kickboxing will be on display. Tickets are available from the Ulster Hall Tel. (028) 90 323900 and Billy Murray Promotions Tel. (028) 90 651074 priced £10 for Choir Seating, £15 for Balcony & Outer Ringside and £25 for Ringside. For further details contact Billy Murray Promotions or visit www.prokick.com.

AGE NOT A CONCERN
Belfast’s Alan Shaw could make history at the Kickboxing Mania VI promotion in the Ulster Hall. The sixty year old brown belt could become the oldest referee to oversee a championship bout. Promoter and trainer Billy Murray asked Mr Shaw if he was interested in playing a part in the event earlier this week and his rely was simply “I’d love to, thank you”. Mr Shaw has been an official now for two years and has officiated on many events though out the country.

DULINS FAIR CITY
Top promoter’s Billy Murray and Pete Foley were in talks this week about joining forces for a major event. Murray based in Belfast and Foley from Galway both are discussing a super-show on St Patrick’s Day Dublin in 2004, that would bring top exponents of the sport from all across the World to do battle in the Fair City. Further details will be released as it develops.

EUROSPORT COVERAGE
Missed the kickboxing from Belfast on Eurosport last night, don’t worry the programme will be repeated again tomorrow at 7pm. And throughout the week. Eurosport are broadcasting a total of twenty hours of kickboxing from Belfast as part of their build up to the LIVE Ulster hall event on June 7th.

Don't forget to check out the sunday people for a full report with pic's!

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