Waterfront gets braced for Kickboxing extravaganza
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Gary Hamilton sits along side Marty Cox Senior SA36103
By William Bruce.
AS THE Olympics draw to a close, the sporting world is looking for a new focus - and Northern Ireland supplied it last week.
A host of kickboxing greats descended on the city to officially launch an incredible and exhilarating event in the city this winter
On December 1, the Schwarzkopf-sponsored event seven world titles will be up for grabs on one card at the Waterfront Hall. What makes the Seven Wonders event more remarkable is a contender in each discipline will arrive from all over Ireland - with the majority from kickboxing figurehead Billy Murray's celebrated ProKick Gym.
Present at the launch was K1 and kickboxing legend Ernesto Hoost - the man they called simply Mr Perfect and the winner of the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent Irish Kickboxing Awards show .
A glittering array of local talent was also present, amongst them evergreen world WKN featherweight champion, Carrick's adopted son Gary Hamilton. He came face to face with his December opponent, wily Englishman Marty Cox Jnr. Cox is no respecter of reputation and sparks where expected to fly but of course both sportsmen have kept it for the ring.
The launch was held at Belfast's Holiday Inn, the official event partner and long-time supporter of kickboxing.
For more pictures of the Press launch and the details on the December 1st event log on to www.ProKick.com
Fight Card
WKN World Title Light weight 62kg - 12x2
Gary Hamilton - (NI) WKN Professional world champion Vs. Marty Cox Jr - (London) ISKA and WKA Professional world champion
WKN European Professional lightweight Full contact Kickboxing title 10x2
Patrick Kinigamazi (Rwanda out of Switzerland) Vs Alexander White (Scotland)
WKN World Amateur Title Kickboxing Rules Super Welterweight 69kg
Mark Hennessy - 75kg (NI) WKN British & European Champion
WKN World Amateur Title Kickboxing Rules Super Welterweight 69kg
Ian Young (NI)
WKN World Amateur Title Kickboxing Rules Super Welterweight 69kg
Stuart Jess - 72kg (NI) WKN British & European Champion
WKN World Amateur Title Super Middleweight
Ken Horan (ROI) 3rd defence
WKN British Amateur Title Kickboxing rules light welterweight 64kg
Mark Bird - 65kg (NI) Corsican Cup Champion
WKN Irish Amateur Title Kickboxing rules Light-middleweight 73kg
Barrie Oliver (NI)
WKN Irish Amateur Title Kickboxing rules welterweight 66kg
Gary Fullerton (NI)
Mini 4 man K1 style Super heavyweight Tournament
James Gillen (Northern Ireland)
Dylan Scally (Republic of Ireland)
Stevie Bonner (Scotland)
Edon Bytyqi (Switzerland)
