Hello KickBoxing Fans - March 23rd 2003

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NOT –TO- LATE .. SAID GARY, Gary Noade is set to become the oldest professional boxer in Ireland! The 39-year-old kickboxing world champion is being line-up for his first opponent within days after the British Boxing Board of Control said it would grant him a license if he passed a series of stringent tests. Noade, who will be fighting at light welterweight, is eager to end his lustrous career on a high after scaling the heights in the amateur kickboxing world. He was initially offered a fight with the unofficial Independent Boxing Board but the BBBC (British Boxing Board of Control) has now confirmed its involvement. John Campbell, Area Secretary of the BBBC, said he saw no reason why Noade should not fight. “Gary has at least two good years left in him. He is a kickboxing world champion so his fitness must be first class,” he said. “If he passes his interviews and medical tests with us then we would have no problem recommending him for a license.” Noade lifted his kickboxing crown last November, defeating Uganda’s Joseph Mukasa for the vacant super welterweight title. “The hunger is still there. I just had a few week of after I won the world title before Christmas but could not wait to get back into it, I know I will do well in boxing too” Noade said. “I would like to finish my career as a professional and I do not see why I can’t fight as a pro in both disciplines. “Having trained with Billy Murray for the last few years I have been getting world class training and I think I have improved a lot, and there is still more to come.” His trainer Billy Murray will be helping to promote any fights which Noade is involved in and said he was pleased his fighter would be given the chance to show what he can do. “Gary has been keen to have a boxing match for some time and I am delighted he is going to get this opportunity,” he said.

WKN – UN CONECTION IN NIGERIA The first ever kickboxing event in Nigeria took place last week when some of the top names of the sport travelled to Victoria for the WKN Sanctioned event. And they weren’t the only special guests at the event. Kodijo Annan son of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was guest of honour along with the French Consulate Mr Joel Louvet. Some of the big names competing on the show are familiar to Ulster & Irish fight fans. Joseph Mukasa who fought Downpatrick’s Gary Noade for the Super-Welterweight Pro/am World title faced French man Andre Alexi also a familiar face. He fought Kilkenny’s Pro/am Light-Middleweight World Champ Ruairi Burke first in Belfast when he beat the then Intercontinental champ Burke for his belt. In a rematch for the Vacant World Crown Burke returned the favour beating Alexi on points in a toe-toe epic. However the bout in Victoria was a feast for the Virgin fight fans with the bout going to the 6th round when Mukasa who was giving weight away began to tire and Alexi took advantage forcing the referee to stop the bout. Professional European Champion Habib Bakir who fought and lost to Belfast’s Gary Hamilton last year in a prestige bout made his bid for World glory when he stepped up against Ricardo Loureiro of Portugal for the low kick world title. Again the bout ended in the 6th round after a great performance by Tunisian Bakir. In total there were seven bouts contested and it was a real treat for fights fans at the venue and at home as Nigerian national TV covered the entire event. Congratulations to the WKN and the promoter Mr Rossini on a exceptional first promotion in Nigeria.

SOME DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Dublin 29th
March Dublin's Joe Canning, one of All Ireland’s kickboxing Godfathers will presents a twenty-two bout special at the Ringside Club National Stadium. Topping the bill is an Irish Middleweight title bout between Jonathan Lewens (Dunleary) Vs Kevin Smith (Collock). Ticket cost 15 Euro at the door, first bout 8pm. For further information contact Joe Canning on Dublin 0872471007.
France 30th March
It is confirmed that Irish Champion Nick Baird is to travel to France next week with fellow Prokick team mate Kris Hanna, coach Billy Murray and Ireland’s adopted Ulster-Scotsman, Craig Thompson. The fighters are taking part in a televised event in Montpellier, promoted by Dominic Roman.
Belfast April 5th
Kickboxers elite - Gary Hamilton along with team mate Gary Noade will box, yes without the feet on the undercard of the Darren Corbett’s return to his old stomping ground of the Ulster Hall. The former Commonwealth cruiserweight champion will head the bill on April 5, which will also feature Gary Hamilton for a professional boxing area title over 10 x3 minute rounds.
Galway 4th May
Peter Foley presents the next edition to his ‘Rumble in the Bay’ series at the Leisureland Complex in Salthill. Former undefeated Heavyweight Pro/am champion continues his quest in the professional ranks hoping to make it 3 & 3. Pro/am European Lightweight Champ Owen Flatley will hope to return to form after loosing out in World title matches on his last two outings. Full fight card to be released shortly.
Scotland 8th May
Ugandan Joseph Mukasa is making a bit of a name for himself lately. He is due to travel to Strathclyde to face Aberdeen’s Douglas Morrison for his Pro/am Welterweight Intercontinental title. Word is circulating that Morrison is preparing himself to put in a challenge against Gary Noade for his Super-welterweight World title or fellow Scot Chris Carslow’s welterweight crown. More details to follow shortly.
Switzerland 18th May
There’s talk that Prokick’s super heavyweight James Gillian was offered a big fight on the Post Tenebras Cup in Geneva – negotiations are in hand for Gary Hamilton to top the bill.

GRADING Prokick Gym will be holding an Adult only grading on Sunday 6th April. Students aiming for their yellow, orange and green belt levels are advised to be at Prokick HQ for 1pm sharp. See your club instructor for details or drop us a line to prokick@group.tm Tel. 028 90 651074.

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