In the search of experience and fights an up and coming kickboxer must be prepared to take fights where-ever he can and U.S.K.A. Jnr's are encouraged to do exactly this. So when the Featherstone gym from Wolverhampton threw down the gauntlet and challenged three of our top Jnr's to compete against three of their own up and coming stars, then there was never going to be any question as to whether the challenge would be met, and after all the Featherstone gym Headed by Paul Whitehouse had provided the opposition for some of our fighters on shows in the recent past, so reciprocation was only good sporting manners.
The young U.S.K.A fighters would have their work cut out this evening though, as it is a well documented fact, that to win away from home is indeed difficult having to pull out that little something extra to get the decision. So with this in mind Reiss Larvin (13), Qasim Nisar (15) , and Tyler Shakespeare (13) stepped up to the task in hand under the ever watchful guidance of chief coach Neil Kelly, assisted by Phil Richards, and Tommy Collett. Also being armed with an almost unprecedented amount of support for three Jnr fighters they took the short trip up the M6 to the home of the Featherstone KB. squad.
Awaiting them there, three of the home gyms most exciting talents in Callum White, Chay White and the Instructors own son Richard Whitehouse, fighters all of the same gutsy determined style that in both Chay and Richard had crossed swords with U.S.K.A opposition before. Tonight though they were the home boys and cheered on by a expected stiffly vivacious support they had expectation on their side. This coupled with the ruling that head shots would be included only further gave rise for optimism as this was their favoured format, which would enable them to engaged in style more suited to themselves.
First up for the U.S.K.A crew was night show debutante Reiss Larvin against home fighter Callum White.Reiss had earned his stripes on excellent light continuous day show performances of late and was eager to show the Featherstone crowd what he had to offer. A pumped up Reiss made his way to the ring to the equally pumped up sound of ludacris' 'move b***h get out of the way'. A tune that Reiss had specially selected for his ring entrance.Both Fighters with their coaches were called to the centre of the ring for final instructions from W.A.K.O. PRO referee Cecil Rose. The lads looked very well matched in height and weight and the crowd settled down looking forward to a good fight.
ROUND ONE began looking like a bit of a shoot out in ring centre, Reiss taking advantage of his opponents low guard picking him off with some accurate straight punching. Callum although aggressive was not finding his range or managing to find his target. Looking for a breather Callum at this point stopped coming forward giving Reiss the range he needed to land good side kicks to the body and clean punch kick combinations from the outside. The round finished with a tired looking Callum White making his way back to his corner after being on the receiving end of all the action in the opening session.
A composed Reiss Larvin went back to his U.S.K.A corner knowing he had done enough to put the round well and truly in the bank.
ROUND TWO started much the same as the last but this time Callum knowing he was playing catch up on the judges score cards. Reiss moved well to avoid Callum's attack and as in the first started to find his range as Callum started to slow down. Callum was looking tired by and large from the punches he was throwing but missing into fresh air. Reiss spotted his opportunity, balanced himself and landed and excellent lead leg side kick bang on target to his opponents chin. Referee Cecil Rose took a close look as Reiss continued to pile on the pressure landing clean head punches, it was all getting too much for Callum as he doubled over visibly hurt. the ref stepped in and administered a standing eight count as Callum tried to get his wind to carry on. Reiss after the count continued where he had left off landing strong techniques as Callum tried to get close to tie him up. As he rushed down the centre line he ran straight onto a Jolting Larvin left jab rocking his head right back.
cecil Rose had no choice at this point to once again step in and administer another count. The action resumed seeing Reiss press forward again scoring cleanly. Callum looked in trouble but managed to hold on a survive to hear the bell. Callum's corner seeing the distress of their man called over ref Cecil Rose to inform him that they were pulling Callum out of the fight to save him from any further punishment. A good compassionate call from the corner that saw a jubilant Reiss Larvin declared the winner of the contest by second round corner stoppage.
Well done to Reiss on a very impressive debut.
One down two to go and next up for U.S.K.A was recently crowned F.I.S.T British champion Qasim 'THE DREAM' Nisar in a three round contest with another local lad and brother of Reiss victim Chay White. Qasim with his usual confidence made his way to the ring to the approval and loud cheers of the U.S.K.A crowd.
An equally well supported Chay White was second to the ring and made his way swiftly to the blue corner. Both lads and coaches again were called to ring centre for the final instructions and it was at this point that Qasim's height advantage became apparent. The short stocky White and the tall slim Nisar engaged in an icy stare down as they listened to the ref read them the rules of the bout. After the customary touching of the gloves the scene was set and both fighters were ready to rock and roll! ding ding
ROUND ONE.
Qasim was first to set the attack stabbing a hard side kick into the body of Chay. The kick seemed to stun Chay into action as he rushed to try and get close and close down the reach advantage of the taller fighter. Qasim scored the long left jab as Chay opted for the wider more aggressive left right hook attack. It was shaping up to be a classic clash of styles. A clean cobra right hand from Qasim pushed back Chay onto the ropes but unfazed Chay fired back again with wild haymaker hooks.
As the pace settled Qasim planted his feet a little more and started to land good rangy shots from the outside with no answer from Chay White.
Another cobra landed flush onto Chay's forehead and Qasim at this point seemed happy enough to go punch for punch in exchanges with the seemingly bigger hitter.
The bell sounded and both fighters returned to their respective corners. One round in the bag to Qasim it seemed.
ROUND TWO saw Qasim take the initiative and press the attack from the opening bell. he seemed to know that Chay would be even less effective if forced to fight going backwards. Mid way through the round Qasim decided to step off and go back to what he does best, sharp shoot from the outside. Fast, accurate, clean shots from Qasim were finding the target with ease now and the attempted counter hooks from chay were hitting nothing but fresh air. 'THE DREAM' was quickly becoming Chay White's nightmare.
ROUND THREE. Qasim really went through the gears in the third round putting good combinations together and finishing them with eye catching head kicks.
Chay at this point seemed to have run out of ideas and reverted back to form attempting to land the big haymaker in an effort just to stay in the fight.
One way traffic from start to finish of the round had Qasim growing in confidence to pull out all the stops for a grandstand finish. The final bell sounded to the relief of the Featherstone fighter. No mistake about this one.
A well deserved unanimous points decision to the one and only............Qasim 'THE DREAM' Nisar

Last but by no means least it was time for THE STEPPIN RAZOR Tyler Shakespeare to step to the ring to see if he could make it three out of three for the U.SK.A contingent against his opponent Richard Whitehouse again from the Featherstone kickboxing team. This was a highly anticipated rematch between the two who had contested the F.I.S.T English national title in October of last year. Tyler on that occasion had made relatively light work of a fighter two years his senior over five rounds to capture the title but knew this fight was going to be much harder as he wasn't going to be able to catch his man sleeping like last time out. Richard had trained hard for this bout and was looking to exact his revenge on his young nemesis. First to the ring and very much in his zone Tyler made short work of his ring entrance quick stepping to the ring and not even waiting for his entourage of cornermen. He must have been very eager to get down to business. Second top the ring saw home crowd favourite Richard Whitehouse soak up the applause as he made his confident ring entrance. Again as before both fighters and chief second are called to ring centre for final instructions.
ROUND ONE Tyler quick out the gates tried to set the direction of the fight from the start and looked the physically stronger lad as he pressed Richard back against the ropes. Not wanting to look bullied in front of his home crowd Richard tried to change the direction and put Tyler on the back foot. Tyler looked to be kicking very hard with round kicks to the body that were physically moving Richard and slowing down his advance. A loss of footing on a ring pad had Tyler momentarily loose his footing and stumble but Richard was not quick enough to make him pay for his mistake. The Steppin Razor looked very strong indeed pressing forward and his body round kicks were off balancing Richard stopping him from setting and getting his own shots off.A good first round going to Tyler.
ROUND TWO More of the same from Tyler in round two it seems, growing even more in confidence and landing left right round kicks at will to a back peddling Richard.
An U.S.K.A. trade mark cobra right hand lands well for Tyler again clocking up the points. Tyler was looking stronger and stronger as the round progressed and Richard was finding it increasingly more difficult to get a foothold in the fight from being constantly pushed back. To the excitement of the U.S.K.A crowd a jump turning side kick finds its target for Tyler once again slamming Richard against the ropes as the bell sounds to end round two.
ROUND THREE With instructions from his corner to basically continue doing what he is doing Tyler again takes the roll of aggressor and closes down the ring fast. Tyler pins his man to the ropes and does not allow him to get any effective combinations off. Richard desperately makes an attempt to turn the fight around and finish strong.
An attempted spin from tyler ties both fighters up and they fall holding onto each other to the canvas. As they rise and go back into battle the final bell rings and both lads return to their corners. The crowd wait to see if it will be revenge for Richard or the more likely repeat win for Tyler.
The winner by unanimous decision from Birmingham...............Tyler Shakespeare.
A dejected Richard Whitehouse climbs out of the ring and returns to his dressing room as the victorious Steppin razor celebrates his victory with a spin kick to full box splits, celebrating not only his own win but a hatrick of wins for the U.S.K.A. team on the night. Coach Neil Kelly and the U.S.K.A. fighting trio would all like to thank the Featherstone KB gym head coach Paul Whitehouse for the sporting hospitability afford to them and for the invitation on the night, also in no small way would like to express their gratitude to the fantastic level of support received by one and all with over sixty tickets being taken up by the growing army of U.S.K.A. supporters,
and who said we were the away team.