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Hi
KickBoxing Fans - Aug 31st 2003
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any news kickboxing? If so, please email it to - prokick@group.tm
Feet
of fire stamp on ice
Prokick Gym fighters are heading to Belfast’s Odyssey Arena
for a rumble with the Belfast Giant’s Ice Hockey team.
Fans can see the boys in action on September 13 when the ProKickers
will put on a show during the opening Giant’s game of the
new season against Coventry Blaze. They will provide pre-match and
post-match entertainment.
“This is the first time in European Ice Hockey that anything
like this has been attempted,” Jim Graves, Belfast Giants
spokesman said. “We’ll have a ring at one end of the
auditorium and when it comes time for the fighters, we’ll
have dancing girls and a light-show – all the elements of
entertainment that fight fans expect. The kickboxing exhibition
will keep the fans’ energy levels high heading into the start
of each half.”
Graves said he decided to use kick-boxing because he felt there
were parallels between it and ice hockey.
“Both are certainly contact sports and with both there is
mutual respect for the opposition – and occasionally we have
fights on the ice!
“Also, I’ve known Prokick founder Billy Murray for a
long time. He’s done a lot over the years to put sport in
Belfast on the map and has been a great ambassador for the city
– so this is a thank you to him too.”
But what of the burning question? Just who would win the fight between
hockey stars and the ring gladiators?
“Well, it depends if the ice hockey players were wearing their
uniforms and carrying their sticks!” said Graves.
It’s
Prokick-San
Prokick is about to open its first ever gym in Japan.
One of the Belfast gym’s most popular members Hiro Mochizuki
is returning to his native Kumomoto later this month. And when he
does, the English teacher will take the Prokick franchise with him.
“Hiro has been with us for almost a year,” said Prokick
founder and chief coach Billy Murray. “He’s been studying
English at Queens’ during his time here. In fact, he chose
Belfast over offers from Galway and Dublin because of Prokick. Before
he arrived he had emailed me asking for tips on where to find good
boxing gyms in Ireland. We started talking and after hearing about
what Prokick had to offer he decided to move to Belfast and enroll
with us.
“We’ll be terribly disappointed to see him go. He’s
a terrifically well liked member – very gracious and kind,
a true gent. But we will of course remain in touch as he launches
the Prokick name in Japan. That’s very exciting for everyone
here – taking kickboxing back to the Far East where it began,
via east Belfast.”
Saintfield
stunner returns
Kickboxing pin-up Nick Baird is back on the glory trail and gunning
for a world title shot within the year.
The 22-year-old super-middleweight, nicknamed the Saintfield Stunner
because of his matinee idol looks and a growing female following,
has picked up belts as easily as fans over the past year. He added
the British title to his Irish crown and overcame tough opponents
in France and Switzerland in recent months to cement his growing
reputation.
But less than two months ago his plans were dealt a body-blow when
he was rushed to hospital for an emergency appendectomy. Doctors
said it would take at least three months before he was able to contemplate
training again and several more before he could consider a competitive
bout. But he has stunned them all by resuming light training just
six weeks after his op.
“He’s the real deal,” his coach Billy Murray said.
“He was in line for a pop at a European title fight within
months and a world title fight to follow quickly. We thought his
operation would take him out of the game for six months or more
and maybe even kill his hunger for the sport. But he’s back
in the saddle now. He is quick, with lightning reflexes and a killer
kick. He’s as exciting a prospect as I’ve seen in five
years and I’m delighted he’s back. And he has that Joe
Calzaghe thing – he hits hard and he looks good. He’s
a star.”
Travelling
Show
Unheralded Waterford fighter Willie Burke, challenging to become
King Of The Welterweights during the Ulster Hall winner-takes-all
show-down, is a ‘born fighter’ who will prove nearly
impossible to beat.
And he’s a “natural showman” who will have the
entire Ulster Hall audience chanting his name on September 19, according
to his coach Billy O’Sullivan.
The 18-year-old is a traveller and carries the travellers’
indomitable spirit with him every time he gets into the ring.
“He’s a born fighter, he’s a good lad,”
said O’Sullivan. “He could be world champion if he listens
and trains properly. He’ll spar all day and just loves putting
on the gloves. He has good hands, fast hands. Every time he fights
he has the crowd with him. He looks tired, then all of sudden he’ll
come in with a flurry. He’s a natural showman.”
Gary
turns up the heat
Gary Hamilton is reaching the end of his first week of warm weather
training in Tenerife and is already feeling the benefits of the
regime ahead of his bout on September 19.
The Belfast man, who will be be at the peak of fitness in Tenerife.
“I’ve been running three times a day,” he said.
“Training in these temperatures has been getting me fitter
than I have ever been before. I’ve been sparring a little,
but will begin in earnest when my coach comes out next week.”
Coach Billy Murray joins him tomorrow after jetting in from London
where he has been looking after the ProKick team who have been a
central draw at this week’s Sony games exhibition in London.
Competition
-
Win a pair of exclusive ringside tickets to the King Of The Welterweights
event coming to the Ulster Hall on September 19, a massive poster
for the event signed by all involved and a limited-edition Sony
T-shirt emblazoned with the ProKick logo on the back.
All you have to do to snap up this sought-after collection of goodies
is answer this question.
What is the name of the Kick Boxing column in the Sunday People?
A. For Kicks
B. Three Kicks
C. Kick the bucket
Don't
forget to check out the sunday people for a full report with pic's!
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