MAGB
AMATEUR ALLSTARS NIGHT OF KICKBOXING
5th FEBRUARY 2006

It was that time again for the Emerald club in Small Heath Birmingham to swing open it's doors to once again stage an evening of top class amateur Kickboxing.
Promoters MAGB are into their second year of promoting these shows and never fail to deliver an outstanding line up of top class kickboxing featuring some of the countries finest up and coming talent.

This show was not going to be any different than those that proceeded it with an exciting 11 bouts featuring fighters from Trevor Spencer's TS KICKBOXING, Surge Johal's GLADIATORS GYM, Rob Raymond's BLACK COUNTRY COMBAT ACADEMY, Paul Whitehouses FEATHERSTONE KICKBOXING, John Richard's ZEN SHIN MARTIAL ARTS,
Big Dave Walker's CHIKARA GYM, Garth Porter's YING YANG GYM, H Willock's BIRMINGHAM MARTIAL ARTS CENTRE, Neil Kelly's USKA and International attendance from Trevor Ambroses BERGEN KICKBOXING in Norway and Billy Murphy's WEXFORD MARTIAL ARTS in Ireland.

The USKA contingent of fighters on stage were Tommy 'GUN' Collett in his full contact debut against the rough and tuff and aptly named 'BULLET PROOF' Bradley McKenzie from Nottingham's Gladiators gym.
Sean 'THE MIGHTY' Quinn facing a young hungry last minute replacement in the form of James Punch from Featherstone's Kickboxing gym.
and....Qasim 'THE DREAM' Nisar in his latest outing against another of Gladiators gym's finest Nathan Kirk.
The show was promised an explosive start when the fight order was announced with Collett / McKenzie scheduled first to step up to the plate.

Judge A: Mark Gibbs
Judge B: Dale Wood
Judge C: Shaun Simpson

FIGHT 1

Tommy 'GUN' Collett (USKA) Vs 'BULLET PROOF' Bradley McKenzie (GLADIATORS)

To make your full contact debut is nerve racking enough but to be first up to set the standard for the night is an even more scary prospect. Saying that you would not have guessed that as the two super confident first two warriors made their way to the ring.
First called was Nottingham's 'Bullet Proof' Bradley McKenzie under the charge of Gladiators top man Surge Johal.
Next it was time for the house fighter fighting out of the USKA gym under the instruction of Neil Kelly to meet his fans and then the challenge that lay ahead.
This was a really eagerly awaited debut from 'The Gun' after his very successful light continuous career.
The now customary machine gun fire rang out followed by Tommy's ring entrance music. Not that it was needed though as it was drowned out by the sound of the rising stars supporters.
Bullet Proof! Gun! You really couldn't script this stuff if you tried.

The introductions out of the way by the ring announcer and all that was left to do was as the announcer shouted ........'LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE!'

ROUND ONE Straight from the opening bell Bradley wanted to show Tommy he had come to fight. He closed down the ring throwing wide hooks to the head of the USKA man. A big right hook caught Tommy on the side of the head momentarily making Tommy's legs stiffen.
Tommy knows his man is dangerous and tries now to fight the battle at range using good boxing combinations and finishing with beautiful straight leg shin to the body. The difference in class is starting to shine through.
Bradley still trying to make his impression felt with his big hooks is now walking onto Tommy's well timed counter no that he is familiar with the Nottingham mans style.
Showing real class Tommy works well to the head with the hands and then sinks hurtful left hooks to his mans body.
Bradley still having occasional success with his wide punching the higher kicking output and accurate work from 'The Gun' is enough to edge himself the round.

A happy looking Tommy returns to his corner content with his rounds work.

ROUND TWO starts and Tommy immediately goes to work to Bradley's body with the left leg straight leg. It is visibly hurting him now and Tommy does not want to let him off the hook.
Bradley trying to get close to negate the kick is walking onto straight right hands from Tommy and it seems at this point as though Bradley is in 'The Gun's' firing line (pardon the pun) no matter what range he fights at.
A cobra right hand followed by a double left straight leg to the body add to Bradley's troubles as Tommy continues to shift through the gears and put on more pressure.
A big right hand buckles the legs of Bradley and he turns to face over the ropes only to be saved by the bell to end the second round.

A troubled and weary Bradley makes huis way back to his corner on heavy legs.

ROUND 3 Bradley comes forward looking for one last big effort in an attempt to land an equaliser. Stopping Bradley in his tracks and putting him back on heels Tommy plants his feet and launches a powerful straight one / two.
A left leg round kick to the head followed by a left straight leg to the body sees Bradley slump against the ropes in clear distress.
Referee Cecil Rose jumps in to administer a standing eight count but straight away calls it over knowing the brave Notts. was in serious pain holding his ribs.
At the same time as the referee's stoppage Gladiators coach Surge Johal threw in the towel to save his man from any further punishment.

'Bullet Proof' maybe but Tommy Proof never!

Winner: Tommy 'Gun' Collett - 3RD ROUND TKO (44 seconds)

Bullet Proof Vs The Gun do battle, something's gotta give!

Tommy GUN fires a cracking right hand onto Bradley McKenzie's head

Clearly in pain Bradley is stopped in round three

FIGHT 2

Matt Offard (TS KICKBOXING) Vs Ricky Massey (BCCA)
Winner: Matt Offard - Unanimous points A: 30/27 B: 30/27 C: 30/27

FIGHT 3

Sean 'THE MIGHTY' Quinn (USKA) Vs James Punch (FEATHERSTONE KICKBOXING)

Next up was our gym Daddy Sean 'The Mighty' Quinn.
Sean was originally matched against Carl Hartley from Mike Belgrave's Mi gym but due to a very unprofessionally chain of events he pulled his man out at only 24 hours notice.
The search was on for a replacement and with such short notice we could not be over picky choosing one.
A replacement was eventually found in James Punch from the Featherstone Kickboxing gym under the tutelage of Paul Whitehouse.
The more experienced James was literally over half the age of Sean and it was most definitely not a fight we would have accepted if it had been offered to us in different circumstances.
However Needs / Must and the fight was made.

ROUND 1 Starts with Sean trying to establish his jab. The taller James rushes Sean pushing him backwards but not really landing any clean techniques of note.
The styles are not really gelling very well and very few clean shots are being landing by either man.
Sean lands a nice right hand to the side of James's head but he takes it well and keeps on pressing forward.
A difficult round to score which was reflected on the judges score cards with an even round.

ROUND 2 James moves forward and Sean gives up the centre of the ring straight away. This does not seem to be a good tactic given that James has the longer reach and is catching sean on the end of long scoring yet not hurtful punches.
Still very scrappy at this point the judges would have to be watching very closely to find any clean scoring techniques.
A round to James just on the forward momentum and pressure fighting.

ROUND 3 Sean starts the round well landing a nice lead leg front kick and a few seconds later follows up with a nice straight right hand.
James ploughs forward landing a good combination of four straight punches.
Again the work is scrappy but the younger man looks a little fresher moving forward on the attack.
A lapse in concentration from James once again sees Sean's right hand land flush to the side of James's head.
That was the wake up call James needed and again he resumed to apply forward pressure.
Sean seems tired now and it looks as if the youth of James is finally starting to take over with him maintaining the pressure.
The final bell sounds with a frustrated and disappointed Sean returning to his corner knowing he had not done enough.

Taking nothing away from James for a good performance and certainly not making any excuses for Sean i feel it only right to explain that Sean went into the fight well below par suffering with injuries on top of injuries that were only known to his closest training partners at the gym. The reason i do mention it is to pay tribute to this mans heart, determination, desire and commitment that has seen him go through hell this last month in preparation for this fight. These are qualities that are missing in many of today's active fighters and we could all learn alot from this mans work ethic.
I and U.S.K.A salute you Sean for even in defeat doing the gym proud but flying the U.S.K.A flag with dignity and respect.
I am very proud to have you as one of my fighters at the gym.

Winner: James Punch - Unanimous points A: 27/30 B: 28/30 C: 28/30

FIGHT 4
Chris Rice (TS KICKBOXING) Vs Adam Nixon (BMAC)
Winner: Adam Nixon - Unanimous points A: 29/30 B: 27/28 C: 28/29

FIGHT 5
Kelly Rose (ZEN SHIN MARTIAL ARTS) Vs Lindy Round (BCCA)
Decision: Majority Draw A: 29/29 B: 30/28 C: 30/30

FIGHT 6
Vicky Ranson (TS KICKBOXING) Vs Milly Neil (CHIKARA GYM)
Winner: Vicky Ranson - 2ND ROUND TKO (1 minute 9 seconds)

FIGHT 7
Jan Olad Pettersen (BERGEN KICKBOXING / NORWAY) Vs Dave Aston (BCCA)
Winner: Jan Olad Pettersen - Majority points A: 29/28 B: 29/29 C: 29/28

FIGHT 8
Filla Poppa (WEXFORD KICKBOXING / Ireland) Vs Stefan Martin (BMAC)
Winner: Stefan Martin - 2ND ROUND TKO (51 seconds)

FIGHT 9
Dwayne Hughes (TS KICKBOXING) Vs Andrew Reid (YING YANG)
Winner: Andrew Reid - 2nd Round TKO (30 seconds)

FIGHT 10

Qasim 'THE DREAM' Nisar (USKA) Vs Nathan Kirk (GLADIATORS)

Last but not least was the U.S.K.A main event with the unbeaten Qasim 'The Dream' Nisar stepping in to face the confident and battle hardened Nathan Kirk from Gladiators gym in Nottingham.
These boys from Nottingham had sure come to fight and Nathan made his way to the ring with the chance of causing the upset on his mind.
'THE DREAM' time now as Qasim is introduced to the crowd and makes his way to the ring to the sounds of his now famous 'The Champ is here' drum beat.
Qasim a true fan favourite has the crowd on their feet and causing an atmosphere that must have been making even the cool as ice Nathan Kirk a little nervous.
Introductions out the way, stare down out the way, all that's left to do is fight!

ROUND 1 A fast and furious start by nathan rushes Qasim. Qasim is used to opponents starting fast on him and he covers up well taking the shots onto his arms.
Qasim starts to find the right straight leg to the body in an attempt to slow his man down. Struggling to find his measure Qasim shows a rare sign of frustration as he spins Nathan off his feet from a clench.
After a warning from referee Cecil Rose the action resumes but this time with Qasim finding his measure more successfully. Qasim lands for the first time with meaning. A straight one / two followed by a left straight leg to the body.
Straight punches and straight leg kicks follow with Nathan now less eager to come forward.
The bell rings with Nathan under heavy fire and Qasim well in control.

ROUND 2 First punch of round two a corkscrew jab lands flush to the head on Nathan twisting his head around and sending him crashing down to the canvas.
Up on the count of four but clearly dazed the referee continues to administer the count of eight. The bout continues.
A right head kick / turning his man / right / left and a right straight leg to the body once again sees Nathan slump down and once again sees the ref step in to take up the count.
In amateur rules two counts in the same round automatically should stop the contest but in the excitement this was overlooked somehow and once again the bout was allowed to continue.
A cobra right hand / left hook / right uppercut to the body / right straight leg / six hooks / left straight leg to the body later and once again Nathan drops down holding his belly.
Everyone including Nathan and his corner at this point think that the bout is over only to be told amazingly by the referee that the bout can go on.
Qasim wasn't complaining though, totally in control and now having his man in big trouble he mounted a vicious two fisted, two feet attack letting rip with every technique in the book onto his hapless opponent.
The bell sounds to end the round and incredibly Nathan is still on his feet. The feeling is though that the end is near and we are not to far from the finish.

ROUND 3 Qasim continues where he left off in the last round banging Nathan with sledge hammer punches and breaking up his body with the straight leg shin kick.
The referee could have been excused for calling an end to the onslaught there and then but credit where credit is due Nathan was still in there and attempting to fight back.
Qasim knew he was only one shot away from finishing the fight and took his foot off the pedal to employ some patience and to look for the shots to end it.
He didn't have to wait long. A right hand / left hook / right straight leg / left hook staggered Nathan and wobbled his legs.
The ref had at last seen enough as he waved off the contest without even bothering to take up the count.
Qasim moves now to 4-0 with 3 KO'S and looks every bit one of the best amateur prospects in the country.

Winner: Qasim 'The Dream' Nisar 3RD ROUND TKO (1.15 seconds)

The stare down before the storm

Neil Kelly, Qasim 'The Dream' Nisar, Nathan Kirk and Surge Johal

FIGHT 11

Stephen Murphy (WEXFORD KICKBOXING / Ireland) Vs Sam Lawlor (BMAC)
Winner: Sam Lawlor - Unanimous points A: 37/40 B: 37/40 C: 37/40

MAGB director Dawn Willock had the following to say on the USKA trio's performances:
congratulations to the USKA fighters on the show on sunday.
Tommy made the debut that was in no doubt as good as what was anticipated, class fighter in the making, very excited to have him on the full contact scene. i would like to let you all know that this show had some prolific well respected instructors & promoters watching, of which several made a point of finding me out at the end to comment on Tommy's performance. keep it up mate - well done.
Qasim, well, as usual you owned the ring! true championship material with your training ethic & showmanship paying off well. not alot to say - not needed though - you said it all in the ring for all to see!!
would like to extend a personal note to Sean - what a soldier! you had all the odds against you but you went to work & even though the result was not what you wanted, you have gained the most amount of respect & credit for your performance. i know Neil is very proud of you, so you don't need MAGB to encourage you, but credit where credit is due, would like to shake your hand on sundays performance.
thanks to all USKA spectators, both for your support & your conduct. in terms of a sporting atmosphere, MAGB feel this was the best so far, which USKA spectators contributed to both in their conduct & with previous feed back.
many thanks. MAGB

The next MAGB Emerald club is scheduled for May where British Champion and Birmingham fan favourite Rob ''DIESEL' Stevens is pencilled in to challenge for the European championship.
There is also a strong possibility that USKA's own Qasim 'THE DREAM' Nisar will contest the Midland Area championship on that card which no doubt will make this the best Emerald show yet.
Make sure you get your tickets early boys and girls because it is guaranteed to be a sell out and an absolute storm!