Hastings Kickboxing Academy hosted it's Fight Night series to a busy and excited crowd at the Hastings Centre at the weekend. Daniel brown sadly we lost his opponent through injury last week, so we found a last minute White Collar fight for him, Although Dan Is predominately a Kicker by trade he still wanted the challenge, So with only 5 days to prep for boxing it was going to be a fun challenge, After 3 hard rounds with both men battling hard, Brown was the more skilled fighter on his toes and light but Ylber from Gforce gym had just too much strength for him and at the bell the decision when to Ylber Dan Wright again lost his opponent due to yet another injury the same weekend! So on the Friday the day before the event we was presented with an opportunity! Wright new to the world of Kickboxing, only having had 4 fights to date, was offered a match with a tough Irish lad Ben Robinson, 13 wins and 6 loses and Current 5 nations champion, and has fought some of the best in the country, Instructor Carl Denne asked Dan what he wanted to do? and with no hesitation said “ I have nothing to lose and EVERYTHING to gain! and if you believe in me then lets do it” Real heart of a warrior. So we took the fight with 24 hours prep, and for 3 rounds they battled and exchanged blows, both winning a round each it was in the balance, the Judges couldn’t split them so the final decision was a majority draw. Millie Sarton, again up against a strong and seasoned young lady from Ireland, Shannin O Dwyer came for a war and a war she gave, all 3 rounds piled on the pressure to Sarton, Sarton soaked up everything that this strong girl had and returned fire, only to be met but more resistance! for 3 rounds both young ladies didn’t stop exchanging blows, some great hand speed form Dwyer and some incredible Head kicks form Sarton. At the Final bell the hand of ODwyer was raised. Millee should take no shame in this defeat she took on a strong warrior and come out the other side smiling and still wanted more. Stacey Cooper, Well once she woke up and got out of first gear and giving away round one, Cooper tuned up the heat and started to pressure Tanith Colburn from Kicks gym, Cooper only 15 in a match with a 29year old, she showed that age is no matter and heart along will skill and hard training is the way to win a fight. Cooper took the next 2 rounds and finished the fight on a 29/28 score card, A close but well earned victory. George French. In only his second Full contact match, Stepped into the ring confident and ready for anything, Fighting a strong and fairly matched man Zergham Ahmed forth Shoulin gym, French unloaded for all 3 rounds with some of the best head kick combinations of the whole evening, Ahmed soaked up everything French threw, French scoring and forcing a standing 8 count in the second round, securing the fight, But it wasn't over yet, Ahmed came back out in the 3rd round rocking French for a few seconds, but it wasn’t enough, French turned up the heat the pressure again and finished like a true champion. French winning Unanimous . Carl denne said “I’m Incredibly pleased by my team this weekend, we always take hard fights and as you can read from above we wont turn away from a challenge or a hard match, Id rather lose to a great fighter than win an easy fight handed to us” thats how we learn and improve ourselves week on week. Daniel Brown not being able to kick and use his true skills, Dan Wright fighting a strong skilled champion with over 4 times his fight record and Millee still new to the game will take on any challenge shown at her, Although not the result we always want, I’m incredible proud of their heart, courage and maturity in the ring and everyday they are at the gym. For more details on HKA and to train with the team please visit www.hastings-kickboxing.co.uk or contact carl on 07949221946 Pics by clipz photography.
