Hi KickBoxing Fans - March 30th 2003

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

TV MANIA . As released in Forkick’s recently, promoter Billy Murray has been in negotiations with TV networks in order to seal coverage from both past and forth coming kickboxing events from the world renowned Kickboxing Mania series. On Friday he told us that the Network he is dealing with most closely is Eurosport and confirmed that they have arranged a deal for the coming months. The coverage will begin with two two-hour specials with footage made up from the best of the action from his highly successful Mania’s. Eurosport are to bring Murray to Paris where he will sit-in and help oversee the re-edit of the programmes. The programmes are planned as part of a major build-up by Eurosport for the sport and will lead to a two-hour live broadcast of Kickboxing Mania VI from Belfast, scheduled for June this year. The event will be beamed to more than forty different countries in Europe, in thirteen different languages. With this confirmation along with Murray’s ongoing talks with other networks further a field Mania VI could gain the most Live exposure of any sporting event from Belfast to date. “This is exactly what we have been striving for the last twenty years and where better to have it staged than Northern Ireland’s capital city - Belfast” Said Murray. Further details on kickboxing Mania VI will be released shortly, we will keep you posted.

TODAY IN FRANCE Nick Baird the all Ireland super middleweight kickboxing champion is having his first bout since winning the All title last year at the Ulster Hall. The popular Saintfield man has been training as normal but couldn’t make any commitment to compete due to his work at the family business, ‘Baird’s chemist’ It is confirmed that the Irish Champion Baird will head-line a team from Prokick this weekend in France, he is held in high regard by Prokick supremo Billy Murray. Murray explained “Nick is one of a host of young talent who began to make their mark last year. Saturday’s televised event in Montpellier is a perfect opportunity for nick to prove himself in front of some of the top promoters and competitors and I believe he will do just that.” Meanwhile fellow Prokick team mate Kris Hanna will also be in action. The young super-welterweight prospect makes his long awaited return to the ring. He was last in action early last year against Chris Carslow of Scotland when he lost out on a close points decision. Carslow has since claimed the Welterweight World title and according to coach Billy Murray Hanna is setting his sights on a possible challenge if his comeback goes to plan. “Kris is a very talented young kickboxer and was unlucky to lose out to Carslow when they first met” he said. “With a few more bouts under his belt and the proper dedication in training, I believe he will have the right credentials to bring Carslow’s title to Prokick.” Murray will also be taking care of Ireland’s latest adopted Ulster-Scotsman, Craig Thompson. He has earned the respect of Ireland’s most successful kickboxer and is delighted that he has been chosen as part of the Prokick team.

OLDEST FIGHTER IN TOWN Current kickboxing World champion Gary Noade met with the Regional Board of the British Boxing Board of Control this week to finalize his professional boxing license. The Downpatrick man wants to finish his illustrious career as a professional boxer. 39 year old Gary has completed stringent medical requirements including MRI & MRA brain scans, blood tests, eye tests and tough medical tests to determine whether he is fit to fight as a pro. He hopes to make his debut next Saturday at the Ulster hall. When he does he will become the oldest pro boxer in all of Ireland, hammering home that life only starts at forty. The good news is the doctors have given him the all clear, now all he needs is the go ahead by the BBBC. The only stumbling block for the World beater is his age, but after the meeting on Wednesday the regional board are giving him their full recommendation, leaving it to the main board in London to decide his fate. Noade is confident “After meeting the regional board members and receiving their backing I’m certain it will be a telling factor in the acceptance of my application” he said. Following the meeting regional board secretary John Campbell contacted Gary’s coach Billy Murray, telling him “This will be the first time in N. Ireland that kickboxing will influence boxing and he will bring great support to any event if he is licensed”. Gary has a tremendous following even from the early days of his kickboxing career, both he and team mate Gary Hamilton are very profiled fighters and there will be a large contingency of kickboxing fight fans at the event who wouldn’t normally be there.

PAUL WAS ON A KNIFE EDGE As reported in Forkicks earlier this month Paul Cummins Marriage to his long term fiancée Patsy and unbeaten kickboxer was on an knife edge when he took a bout in Norway just a few days before the big Day. Things didn’t look good, Paul lost the bout, but thankfully he returned to Kilkenny unscathed and we are pleased to announce the wedding did go ahead. Forkicks would like to congratulate Mr & Mrs Cummins and wish you all the very best. Caption for photo: - Six kickboxers and close friends made up the guard of honour.

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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