Kao Loi Thai Boxing

There were 9 fights scheduled on our August 22nd show, 6 of which featured Kao Loi fighters. 

The first was a no decision fight between 2 fighters whose opponents had pulled out just prior to the show, leaving them both unmatched.  Harry Ettridge vs James Black proved to be an excellent start to the show with both fighters demonstrating good technique which the crowd appreciated over three one minute rounds.

Our next fighter was Jak Wright fighting Aycliffes Peter Steed who had fought well on one of our Manhattan shows.  The match was at 74.5kg and the height advantage was Jaks while the strength and experience lay with Peter.  The gameplan for Jak was to move to the left and use his reach with straight punches and high kicks.  Jak did this but got caught with inside leg kicks throughout the first and second rounds.  With his leg hurting Jak needed a good last round, and this he did, attacking aggressively until the last 45 seconds when Peter rallied and finished the stronger.  Jak (17.5 years) lost on points but managed to impress both himself and the crowd against a very strong opponent.

Mark "Bomber" Boyton fought next against a young gun from Aycliffe called Ryan Bartle.  Both fighters exchanged big punches though Ryan finished his salvos with kicks to both head and body.  Mark had however scored well with the knee during the round and so the gameplan going into the second part of the fight was to use clinch and knee.  Mark did this well and we thought he had done enough to get the decision, but it went the way of Ryan. 

Next up was Duncan Scott who faced an opponent in Gavin Cant who was, for the first time, as tall as him.  Duncan started strongly with defence and attack.  He stalked relentlessly and delivered a devastating right hook which hit Gavin above his left temple which sent him to the canvas.  Gavin could not make the count although he was ok after some medical treatment.

Josh's fight was a barnstormer against Joel Buckle from Way of Life.  Joel had beaten Josh before and is extremely strong and fit.  The first round started explosively with a standing eight count for Joel following a perfectly deilivered knee by Josh.  In the second he pressed forward looking for clinch but Joel stayed away and scored with combinations.  The third was the same and Josh was beginning to tire.  Josh caught up with Joel in the fourth landing some more knees and this gave him a new lease of life. He continued scoring well in the fifth and won the decision.  This was for the EMF Northern Area Title.

Last up was Kris fighting for the WPMF English Title against Ashley Glennon from Higher Level. Ashley has had a similiar amount of fights but Kris has fought 4 times A-Class, and all Ashleys have been either amateur or pro-am.  It was this experience that was apparent as soon as the fight began.  Kris stalked Ashley controlling the centre of the ring, looking to close Ashley down and use knees to soften up his opponent.  At the end of the round kris had been caught above the left eye with an elbow which did not cut him, but left a large swelling.  The injury was treated in between rounds and he did more of the same in the second, and feeling that his opponent was tiring, increased the pressure which caused Ashley to turn away a couple of times.  The third brought no respite for Ashley as Kris went up another gear landing big knees and elbows at will until referee Martin Holt had no choice but to end the fight.

Well Done to all fighters.