Kao Loi Thai Boxing

Leeds Town Hall hosted another World Class Thai Boxing event featuring our own Kris Addis.  He had his toughest test to date against Ivan Damyanov from the Firewalker Gym in Wolverhampton.  

Ivan came to the ring with much more experience than Kris, and having had very few losses.  He is ranked 6 by ISKA and 8 by UKMF.  As we know, Kris has been progressing quickly and was more than ready for a testing fight.

Ivan was in excellent shape with very low body fat percenatage.  He immediately showed that he was there to take the fight to Kris.  Neither fighter wanted to be pushed back and Ivan used excellent strong punches with Kris preferring to control with push kick, and then roundhouse kick both leg and mid-section.

The first round even, and both fighters stepped up the pace..Ivan with kicks added to punches, and Kris with jab and teep, looking to follow up with elbow or roundhouse.

Two rounds complete with Kris with the star (slightly in front), Ivan pushed back Kris in an effort to take the third although Kris fought back well to stay slightly ahead.

So with the fight hung in the balance, it came down to the last two rounds. Ivan again tried to push Kris back but met a solid defence followed by some aggressive punch elbow, and punch knee combinations.  Ivan took the elbows well but it was the knees that took their toll and the round. 

Kris was ahead now but had to finish strongly to not allow Ivan back into the fight.  He controlled the first half and almost landed a left cut elbow, although his main aim was to pace the round for a big finish.  This he did with more march forward punch and knee combinations.

A terrific win for Kris and all credit to Ivan and his team, who pushed him all the way contributing significantly to an excellent spectacle for the crowd.

Kris has now moved to number 8 in the UKMF rankings and is looking forward to a crack at those above him.