I.F.A Light Continuous Event Birmingham 26th February 2006It was a welcome return to the fight calendar for the ever impressive I.F.A. light continuous show at the weekend. Held back at it’s former home venue of the Cadburys club in the Bournvillle area of south Birmingham the show offered an excellent setting for an always well run show. Opposition for the day was a little on the sparse side with only West Heath K.B Aerokick and Pershore K.B in attendance but when the home association boasts some twenty or more gyms then they don’t need to invite many to have a party. The fifteen strong U.S.K.A. team new they would be in for a stiff test with many of the Jnr bouts being over just the one round, so little time to impress for some, so it would have to be fast out the blocks to make that telling round winning contribution. Haroon Gulfraz was the first up, paired against Harbourne Team I.F.A. opposition made the head way in the bout to get the nod from Referee Paul Murphy, and start the days proceedings with a first win for U.S.K.A. Usman Ali in a bout with Team Baggis Warriors I.F.A. hopeful Shafiq Zaman picked up where Gulfraz left off quickly picking up the pace to also boss his fight against his adversary for the day and again showing vast improvement, also now starting to show a level of composure in his work and earning a well deserved win. Two out of two and next was Riess Larvin again against a tough fighter from Baggis Warriors I.F.A. in Ziad Jamal. Riess had taken this fight to see if he could shake off a bout of flu sufficiently enough to take his place to contest the Midland area title the following week in Derby. But in all fairness the signs of fatigue were all to apparent as Riess struggled to find his form and in what was a close fight it was by way of a point deducted from the team Baggis fighter for illegal use of the knee that gave the verdict to a relieved “Relentless” Riess Larvin. Jake Richards embarking in what was to be a big week for the young U.S.K.A fighter, already on standby to replace his team mate Riess in the said title fight scheduled for 4th March, had it all to prove in his fight against Aerokick opposition, and prove it he did, taking the decision in a tough two round battle but Jake “Rattle Snake” Richards showed true venom in a fight where only the strongest would prevail. Noor Mohammed suffered from a slow start in otherwise a good performance with Harbourne I.F.A. counterpart stealing the march on young Noor. Despite a much better second half of this one round tie it was too late for an otherwise unbeaten Noor. Mark Sedgwick fresh off the back off a perfect 7 second stoppage of his last opponent was in no mood to rest on his laurels again forcing his Bordsley Green I.F.A. fighter to retire, Mark never seems like he needs to do any overtime in the ring and is making a habit of stopping his man. Tyler “The Steppin Razor” would have certainly been feeling the pressure on his first trip back to his old club and when matched against Riess “Heaven” Richards from Bordsley Green knowing he would have to be on point to get the decision. Despite a scruffy start and being somewhat rushed in the first of the round two round fight, he settled a little in the second and with good evasive footwork an accurate right leg round kick to the head of his one time sparring partner was enough to secure the win. Stacey Richards kept up her winning streak with another victory over a West Heath K.B. fighter Stacey employing a high work rate to outpace her opponent. Ridwan Khan would have to be in line for fighter of the day with a fantastic performance against his I.F.A. opposition, it certainly looked like the penny has finally dropped with this guy showing a sight more maturity and patience than has been seen from him before. It was as you were for Emily Aston in her bout which provided a rematch with team I.F.A. Sutton Coldfield Star Sophie Burns. Emily seemed to have the edge to begin with hold a physiological advantage over her opponent having beat her on the previous meeting but allowed Sophie back into the fight late on. Referee’s decision a draw and will obviously invoke interest in a third meeting between the pair. Mark Sedgwick was back in action again in a demonstration bout with fellow club mate Jay Colllett, as Jay had failed to be matched on the day. The offering they put up was well worth the admission though both displaying excellent control and technique. Jay’s next fight will see him really tested in a super prestige Jnr duel with Derby’s Ben “The Tiger” Taylor on the 4th of March. Sarah “The Kick Chic” Lawrence in only her third fight was matched with the I.F.A.’s experienced Amandeep Bahia from the Sutton Coldfied gym, despite conceding experience it was never apparent as again Sarah marched straight through her opponents defence landing front and round kicks at will, culminating in a temporary stoppage of the I.F.A. fighter after feeling the effects of Sarah’s continual round kicks eventually winding her adversary. It’s now three from three for Sarah and the confidence is showing. Tommy Collett would certainly taken some stopping in his current form and even though he conceded a huge 17kg to his opponent from the I.F.A. Sutton Coldfield he put up what can only be described as easily the most comprehensive kicking display of the day pulling out all the tricks in true U.S.K.A. styli with all “GUNS“ blazing. In this mood Tommy is simply irresistible. U.S.K.A. old boy next Murdock Kellyman rounded off the days competitive bouts, matched with the I.F.A. student of the year from Sutton Coldfield Stuart Nicholls it was Murdock who totally dominated the proceedings, and not wanting to be outdone by team mate Tommy Collett he pulled off a few tricks of his own, much to pleasure of the enthralled on looking crowd. Another win for Murdock in what is turning out to be a very successful return to form for the former English Champion. Of course there’s no keeping Qasim “The Dream” out of the ring and despite not finding a match for the day winded up the show with an excellent well received demo bout with club mate Tommy Collett. So as far as the results on the day went then the show was a tremendous success and here at U.S.K.A. we thank the I.F.A. for there kind invitation and look forward to working with them again real soon. Next up the Big one Ripley Leisure Centre Derby where the U.S.K.A. line up is “The Gun” “The Dream” “Sugar Foot” and “Rattle Snake” and if that doesn’t wet up your appetite then nothing will!, our guys will need to be on top form, and with a Jnr title, two full contact bouts and a Jnr Prestige match on the cards the travelling U.S.K.A. army will be there to cheer them on, be there or miss it if you dare!
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