Billy Joe Fitzgerald fought in his first IKF open tournament in Gillingham, Kent where after a tough day of competition he secured his title in style.
HKA chief instructor Carl Denne said: “In one of the busier weight categories Billy Joe won his way through two rounds of the competition and made it to the semi final where he had a very tough bout.
“Both lads knew the winner of the fight would be into the final and the first round was very close but Billy’s constant work rate and will to win pushed him through and he secured his place in to the final. We’d watched his other opponent win all of his bouts too and we knew we were set for a hotly contested final.
In the final Billy Joe was, according to Carl, on form: “Both lads really wanted to be crowned IFK English champion. Billy Joe found his feet and rhythm early on in the fight and controlled the bout for all three rounds.”
Both fighters were warned about the level of power they were using n a ‘light-contact’ bout but as Carl explains when both men want to win passion can take over.
Carl says of the fight: “Billy Joe was landing some of the best shots and combinations he has every used in combat and give his man a nose bleed that needed to be attended to a few times throughout the bout. But at the final bell Billy Joe was declared the winner and crowned IKF English light contact 60-65kg English champion!
“Coming away with one fighter with another belt is a great way to finish the year, Billy Joe always trains hard and really deserved this title,” says Carl.
- For more details on training with their champions at HKA visit www.hastingskickboxing.co.uk or contact Carl on 07949221946
