F.I.S.T THAI / KICKBOXING INTERCLUB

SUNDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2006

HARDY SPICERS SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB
ERDINGTON, BIRMINGHAM.

It was back to the local venue of Hardy Spicers sports and social club in Erdington on the 8th October for another of the Paul Sutton promoted light continuous Thai and Kickboxing events.
A relatively modest turn out of other clubs left us with the feeling that matches might be few and far between and that feeling was magnified by the fact that local kickboxing club Force One under the Instruction of their coach Learoy Moss had expressed to the promoter before hand that he did not want any of his students to face any of the USKA fighters in the competition.
No valid reason was given and one can only assume it was down to the USKA's kids reputation that followed them from previous encounters.
What was more worrying was the fact that Force One fighters were involved in some so called title fights on the day. Now i've heard of fighters avoiding certain opposition from across the country in fighting for selective titles but never before have i heard of them avoiding people in the same room that were ready willing and even more qualified to be competing for the titles up for grabs. Maybe the club should honourably accept there limitations and downgrade their club name to Force Two or Farce One as they were jokingly being dubbed on the day.
Credit to Paul Sutton for managing to find matches for most of the USKA fighters in attendance but also have to say that we are more than disappointed at him for allowing the above instructor to hold him over a barrel and dictate to him how to run and match his own show without giving a valid reason.
Moving on, some good performances from the USKA team that somewhat salvaged the outing.

Bout 1

Qasim Ali (USKA) Vs Adam Caga (Thai Situ) Winner Qasim Ali (USKA)

Not much to talk about here due to the fight barely getting out of the blocks being stopped by the medics after a shoulder injury sustained by Adam at only 24 seconds into the first round. What little was scored in the round was scored by Qasim and the referee awards him the win due to the stoppage.

Bout 2

2: Noor Muhammed (USKA) Vs Luke Kelly (Assasins) Draw

Not alot in the first round with both fighters matching each other punch for punch and kick for kick. The second round sees Noor throw and land more but on too many occasions lose his balance which created the impression that the round was closer than it actually was.
One we should have won we believe but the decision went down as a draw.

Bout 3

3: Tyler Shakespeare (USKA) Vs AJ (Assassins) Demonstration

Tyler in against the very talented and aggressive female fatal from Mark Barlow's Assassins camp in a demonstration and a nice clash of the two styles of kickboxing and thai boxing.
A nice mix of technique and Tyler on route feeling a woman's scorn taking a low kick to the nether regions lol. `I shouldn't laugh' lol.

Bout 4

4: Mark Sedgwick (USKA) Vs Arran Watson (Assassins) Winner Mark Sedgwick (USKA)

A rematch of a very competitive bout that happened earlier on in the year highlighted just how much that Mark has improved controlling the action over three rounds outkicking and outthinking his talented counterpart to claim a comfortable points win.

Bout 5

5: Azad Khan (USKA) Vs Damion Hirons (DEMMA) Winner Azad Khan (USKA)

Another rematch now with Azad pitched back in against an opponent he had stopped in May to claim the English National F.I.S.T title. Azad on the instruction of his corner was told to not kill his opponents confidence and instead to just win the fight technically taking power and aggression out of the equation. This he did well for three rounds only for the bout to be declared a draw to the surprise of everyone in the room. On appeal referee Bob Taggart asked many of the instructors present who witnessed the bout along side Damian's and found out unanimously that they too felt that it was the wrong decision. Credit must go to Bob Taggart for admitting his mistake and changing the decision to a win to Azad.

Bout 6

6: Tyler Shakespeare (USKA) Vs Daniel Capeness (St George's) Demonstration

Although a demonstration it has to be said that the raw novice Daniel had no place being in the ring with someone of Tyler's class. Tyler tip tapping his techniques in landed a controlled right leg round kick that caught Daniel high on the head which totally robbed him of his senses and scrambled his equilibrium 25 seconds into the first round.
On medical advice the demonstration was called off at this point.

Bout 7

7: Ridwan Khan (USKA) Vs Jordan Gretrex (St George's) Winner Ridwan Khan (USKA)

Ridwan in against the much taller opponent looked totally mismatched but on tactical instruction of his corner was told to close down the range and negate the any reach advantage that his man would have.
Ridwan did this beautifully not giving his opponent room to breath and kept the whole fight at close quarter. 30 seconds into round two Jordan had had enough and claiming a low blow the bout was stopped. The referee however had saw what had happened and was happy that Ridwan had done enough to secure the victory and awarded hi the decision.
This it has to be said was Ridwan's best performance to date and marks a real improvement in this young mans game.

Bout 8

8: Qasim Ali (USKA) Vs Leon Davidson (S.M.W.S) Winner Qasim Ali (USKA)

Leon Davidson a very awkward and un-gamely opponent would prove very different problems than what Qasim was used to in this bout. His movement very unorthodox and a hard man to catch cleanly due to the fact he was bending down and turning his back.
Qasim stuck to his basics and was patient looking for his shots to cleanly outpoint his man showing the better technique over the two rounds.

Bout 9

9: Haroon Khan (USKA) Vs Curtis Jones (Tamworth) Winner Curtis Jones (Tamworth K/B)

In probably the fight of the day both Haroon and Curtis matched each other punch for punch, kick for kick and talent for talent. So much in fact that after the two round duration both the referee and the judges were undecided on who should be declared the winner. As it was such a good fight it was decided that an extra round should be contested to find a winner.
Continuing the pattern of the first two rounds it ws back to business as usual for the two with Curtis landing a few more kicks nearing the end of the round. The closest of close decisions awarded to Curtis Jones and a rematch for us all to look some time in the future.

Bout 10

10: Qasim Nisar (USKA) Vs Safaran Ali (Force 1) Demonstration

USKA's frustrations with Force 1 kickboxing club would be realised in this next demonstration bout which saw Qasim hit Safaran Ali with everything and the proverbial kitchen sink.
This display had to be seen to be believed with Qasim showing shades of Muhammed Ali, Roy Jones Jnr, Sugar Ray Leonard and Prince Naseem Hamed all wrapped into one.
If this display from Qasim never proved a point i don't know what possibly could.

Bout 11

11: Nathan 'Stalker' Walker (USKA) Vs Leon Davidson (S.M.W.S) Demonstration

Nathan due to a suitable match not been found was matched in a demonstration bout against previous Qasim Ali opponent and much older Leon Davidson. Nathan showed all the qualities he would need to make a mark on the light continuous circuit in the future and a good understanding of kickboxing attributes that would have had him win the decision if it had been a competitive fight.

Bout 12

12: Jake Richards (USKA) Vs Ryan Lowney (Pythons) Demonstration

Jake also in a demonstration bout was matched with Thai boxing Pythons fighter Ryan Lowney. Again a nice clash of the two arts with both lads showing what they were capable of. I'm not a big fan of demonstrations but when they are done properly they are a pleasure to watch. Well done to both lads.

Bout 13

13: Harris Khan (USKA) Vs Dean Lowney (Pythons) Demonstration

The final clash of the day saw Harris Khan again in a Thai Boxer Vs Kickboxer demonstration against the much heavier and older Dean Lowney from Pythons gym.
Harris equipped himself well under pressure that would put him in good stead for future bouts.

Well, judging by the list of results maybe the Force one Instructor was right not to let his fighters anywhere near the USKA boys. On the strength of the one USKA Vs FORCE ONE bout it really would have been no competition anyway.