Hello Fight Fans - DEC 22nd

Hi there, Welcome to week 8 of 'ForKicks' our very own regular KickBoxing news from Ireland’s leading Sunday newspaper.

If you have any news please email it to prokick@group.tm

Chef Gary Hamilton had the right ingredients last week as he roared in Lyon. Sp were they as promised to catch only the second Ulster man in history to win a professional world title, controversy, knockout action - For Kicks brings you the news and exclusive pictures.

WKN SAYS NO TO REMATCH
The WKN confirmed today that newly crowned professional Featherweight World Champion Gary Hamilton will not need to return to France to face defence champion Pastor Pascal. The French man was flattened in the fourth and failed to beat the count in Lyon last week. An air of controversy had blown over the stoppage as the French mans camp claimed Hamilton’s knock-out blow was an illegal punch to the back of the head. However, the WKN ( World Kickboxing Network) President Mr Stephane Cabrera, made a concrete decision that the fight was won fairly and no foul was committed. The WKN’s top man viewed footage of the championship and had this to say, “Hamilton clearly won every round of the fight and noticeably hurt the defending champion in the second, third and fourth round before the knockout blow.” He went on to say, form the WKN world office in France. “As for the controversy, it is clear in my mind and that of other top officials that the punch was both clean and legal, is was not a knockout punch, the telling blows were done early and they had a delayed action affect on the former champion. There will be no rematch, the case is closed ”.

OFFERS FLOOd IN - Since Gary Hamilton’s world title win last weekend, there have been several requests from throughout the World for a possible first defense, but undoubtedly the most prestigous of them all is a propoesed challenge for the Light-Welterweight World title in February against the hotest kickboxer alive the ‘Petit Prince’ Mohamed Samir. Samir is probably the most respected fighter in the World right now he holds the WKN World Title in all three of the diciplines, Full-Contact (kicks above the waist) the most popular style, Freestyle (Kicks allowed above and below the waist) and Muay Thai (Elbow and Knee strikes allowed). At just twenty three Samir is just one year older than Gary Hamilton and boasts a fine fight record of 80fights, 80wins, 75KO’s. He has competed in Bangor in the past when he knocked out then British Muay Thai champion Dave Newbrook at Billy Murray’s Kicboxing Mania II in 1998. But is it the right fight for the Belfast boy ? Many people believe that Hamilton is one of the only men around that is capable of unseating the Prince from his throne but Billy Murray thinks now is not the time. "Gary is in fine form at present as his recent results prove, but we don’t want to dive in at the spare of the moment against Samir, you have to respect his talent." Said Murray. " Samir is two weights above Gary. The best plan for Gary is to defend his new World title and gain as much experience in big championship matches, there is no need to rush in to a fight with Samir . This fight could be one of the biggest fights out there. We must Remember both men are still in their early twenties and there is plenty of time to get it on." Switzerland and Canada are also calling An invitation also to Europe’s largets Martial Arts Festival in Geneva on 17th & 18th May of next year. WKN International Official Mr Carl Emery is a co-promoter of the two day event which features competitions in every form of Martial Arts. The final spectacle of the Festival is Full-Contact kickboxing bouts usually featuring World title action and after the recent success’s of Irish fighters on the International circuit the organisers all decided they would like to feature Ireland Vs Europe with Belfast’s newly crowned professional World Featherweight Champion Gary Hamilton for the televised enent, for kicks will keep you posted. And again Twin Dragon promotions, Canada our trying a seal a return trip to Toronto at the end of February, the Belfast born promoters are particularly interested in bringing Gary Hamilton back. The last time in Toronto he KO’d the unbeaten North American Champion Travis Coleman in just 53 seconds. More details on this will follow shortly.

Grading The Galway Black Dragon Kickboxing club held a grading last week at which no less than 35 of the adult members were promoted to a higher level in their kickboxing training. Mr Foley who carried out the grading with Master examiner Tom Foley from Kilkenny commented that the standard was of the highest level and he expected to see lots of new talent from the Galway area bursting on to the Irish kickboxing scene in the New Year. Intercontinental Middleweight champion Ken Horan was delighted as he earned the much coveted 1st Dan Black Belt. A delighted Pete Foley thanked Master Tom Foley for taking time out of his busy schedule to officiate at the grading. The Galway Black Dragon Kickboxing club has only been open seven years and now boasts 7 highly trained Black Belts which are all registered with the Irish Sports Council and hold several National and International Kickboxing Titles. The next beginner’s course for adults at the Galway gym will commence on the 21st January 2003 and anyone who wants to get started call coach Mr Peter Foley on +353 (0)87 8119227.

The ProKick Kickboxing school of Excellence Prokick would like to congratulate all the adult members who were successful in their quest for kickboxing excellence at the last adult on Friday past. And a big thumps up to young Robert Millar in passing his brown belt last Sunday.

Billy Murray Wins Award Ireland’s most successful kickboxer and biggest promoter Billy Murray, has received a prestigious award from The British National Martial Arts Association at their annual awards dinner for dedication, commitment & development of Kickboxing in Ireland & UK. Billy was unable to be at the dinner as is coincided with his trip to Lyon with Gary Hamilton, but is delighted with the recognition for his achievements.

Small Screen Tune in to Channel 5 tonight in the wee small hours and tomorrow night at 12.45am for more kickboxing with action as Ali Jacko’s promotions show case fights from around UK Ulster television followed world title challenger to Lyon last weekend.
UTV traveled to France presenter Gary Gillespie and camera man Alan Mackey made the trip the results were screened on soprts round-up with a full report on Monday’s UTV live. Well done UTV!

That’s it for another week, don't forget to - ‘ keep your hands up and chin down’

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