Hi KickBoxing Fans - Aug 10th 2003

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

World champion Murdered
We start ForKicks this week with the tragic news of the death of a true champion Alex Gong. Members of Prokick are this week joining together with Billy Murray to pay respect to the family, friends and students of Mr Alex Gong (Dr Knee) who was tragically murdered this week in San Francisco. Alex was the head coach and owner of the highly successful Fairtex gym in San Francisco. He was a perfect example of a man dedicated to Martial Arts and over the years and up until his untimely death trained many of the top names in the history of kickboxing and Martial Arts. Alex visited the Prokick camp in 1996 when he and an American team took part in the first Kickboxing Mania at Dundonald International Ice Bowl in Belfast.

War of the rings - the trilogy
Trend setter Paul Cummins has set the standard pictured here with a guard of honor on his wedding day earlier this year. Beat that Peter Foley! And that goes for you too Diane Harvey! As both kickboxes are due to walk the plank, to their respective partners.
First up and in the red corner - Master Pete Foley founder of the Black Dagon kickboxing association Galway he ties the knot with Irish Kickboxing champion and long time girl friend Clodagh Doughgen both will exchange gum shields on the Friday the 5th September and both will miss the Ulster hall show..tut tut and there’s more - Prokick’s Bangor instructor, Diane Harvey is coming out in the blue corner on the 18th of September. That’s right the same night as the big Ulster hall fight night…sacrilege, Change the venue Diane and do the face-face in the ring at the Ulster hall that would up-stage Cummins and Foley together. Rumor has it, Gary Hamilton is about to pop the question to fiancée of a long six years, Andrea. We’ll wait and see how this one develops. Forkicks will keep in the picture.

Ulster hall going to be a corker
Six new generation of Prokick fighter join the fight card and get ready for action at the world renowned venue - they’ll face-of, against fighters from the North West under the guidance of Paddy Tolland a former champion himself. The first timers will get fight fans ready for a top quality night of kickboxing action. New comers are - Sean McGarity super welterweight North Belafast , Mark Hennessy also from North Belfast will hits the scales at super middleweight. Colin Ward from the East of the city will be matched at the light middleweight. Lisburn’s Michael Harkin is also looking to come in at super middleweight

Darren Thompson – is the only Thai fight on the card and he is ready at super welterweight.
Lydia Braniff the only female bout on the card and she will weigh-in at the lowest weight category – Atomweight
Then the battle of the Celts - eight enter only the last man standing will win and they are Willie Burke (Waterford), Douglas Morrison (Aberdeen), David Burke (Kilkenny), Gary Noade, (Downpatrick), Steve Kitchener (Glasgow), Wilson Snoddy (Larne), Zander Patterson (Motherwell and Owen Flatley (Galway) and if that doesn’t hit the spot we have our very own world champion Gary Hamilton who make a bid to become the undisputed king of the featherweights. "The offer is on the table, we are just wait for hear back from Newbrooke's team to see if they except the offer. They too seem very keen on the fight, lets hope we can get it on." said Murray.

Tickets are now on sale from the usual outlets priced £10-25 for ringside – Tel: 028 9065 1074 on log onto ProKick.com for all the latest news

Hurl of a Hitter
Sean Collier has proved he is not just a great kickboxing talent. The full-time fitness instructor is also the coach for the Wexford senior hurling team and under his guidance they are proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Today they are competing in the semi final of the All Ireland senior league.
The light heavyweight is also enjoying a great start to his professional career. He is unbeaten in his first five encounters including a victory over former world champion Chinto Mordillo. It is this form that has excelled him through the current ranking system and has opened the door for a possible European title showdown at Pete Foley’s Rumble in the Bay 7 scheduled for October. For further information on the next Rumble in the Bay contact Pete Foley.

A higher level
Prokick’s members (Pictured) met at clubs HQ in Belfast last Sunday aiming to achieve the next level of excellence in the sport. Over 20 students (Pictured successful students) from three clubs came together for their green belts and also a blue and purple belt was awarded to Alan Crowne and Diane Harvey.

Calling All Kickboxers
If you are an experienced Kickboxer and want to get involved in top class promotions competing against the best exponents world-wide, forward your details to the WKN regional office for the UK & Ireland, Prokick Gym, Wilgar Street Belfast, BT4 3BL or e-mail wkninfo@group.tm We want fighters from all styles, Muay Thai, Freestyle and Full-Contact to compete on major events both at home and abroad.

Dates for the Diary
Friday 19th September: – Championship Kickboxing at the Ulster hall Gary Hamilton will defend his title and an 8 man winner takes all tournament.
October 24th Scotland: – An all Celt affair Prokick in conjunction with Gary Langford’s Kicktec bring you dinner event, The next dinner show at the Hilton will be on October 24th – Prokick will run a Pre-Christmas shopping and dinner trip - hotel night, fight night ticket to support a N, Ireland select Vs a Scottish select. More detail on request.

October 26th Galway Bay
‘Rumble in the Bay 7’ will take place on Sunday 26th October. Leisureland Galway. Negotiations to match Wexford’s Sean Collier for the WKN European Light heavyweight title challenge and if confirmed the bout will top the bill. Full details of the fight card have not yet been released.

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

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