Northern Ireland’s most famous kick-boxer came of age recently as he rolled back the years to win his forth ever World title. And the story that goes with it is one of Rocky proportions. Belfast man Billy Murray came out of retirement at the age of 42 to face Thailand master Chart Singh - the only man to still hold his scalp in full Muay Thai rules.

The venue was Belfast’s Waterfront Hall - completely sold out for the event - which also host FIVE other title bouts on the bill. However, it was Murray who the punters paid to see and on this night the main man’s career dreams were about to unfold before his very eyes. There were fireworks from the off as the veteran entered the arena to all sorts of shananigans. Flash flames flew out from the corner posts of the ring, lights flashed and twisted, while the crowd added their own deafening sound effects. In fact, you could have been forgiven for thinking that Prince Naseem himself had been added to the bill.

Chart Singh had already surfaced to a warm welcome from a crowd who were watching a sport which is all about respect. It had been seven years since Murray dawned the gloves in his hometown and the sell out audience reflected the fact that the people had not forgotten.

Murray started like a house on fire, in the first of five three minute rounds in this Mauy Thai clash. The hard knock rules of using elbows and knees as well as feet and hands was almost ignored by the hometown challenger who weighed in with a flurry of punch combinations that sent Singh reeling towards the ropes. Then, as both men pulled away from a clinch, Murray struck with a right cross elbow that gave his opponent a one-way ticket to the canvas.

Or so he thought. The strength of his challenger, which would come through in later rounds, meant that he was up by the end of a five count and was back on Billy’s heels. There was no doubt that Murray won the first and second rounds, constantly staying on the front foot and working at twice the rate as his flare-filled opponent. Singh's combination kicking proved the biggest threat, but as the fight progressed Murray’s superb blocking technique almost killed off that threat.

Round three was more of the same, Singh looking to inflict damage on a suspect right knee and constantly aiming blows into Murray’s right mid-rift. He’d have the bruises to show for that the next morning. However, there was little to stop Murray completing his final mission as he once again elbowed Chart Singh to his knees before launching an onslaught that would’ve left most men clutching for air. However, Singh’s resilience was just sensational and he came back to win the forth, landing a series of kicks to the side of Murray’s head and ribs.

At last concern. It was clear that fitness was starting to play a part in the occasion and many questioned whether the Ulster man could stay on his feet for the final round. His answer was resounding. Murray won the fifth - pushing Chart Singh into a brawl as they traded blows right up to the bell - a noise that would signal the beginning of a party in the heat of Belfast. Chart Singh fell to his knees at the last, honouring Murray’s performance - a move that was reciprocated immediately.

For Murray, as he wore his belt, it was his ultimate triumph. For years he has struggled to push his sport to the fore in Ireland. Now, as he stood before 2,500 adoring fans, he had proved that kick-boxing is back in a big way.

Murray said, ‘‘I’d always wanted to sell out the Waterfront Hall against Chart Singh, ever since they placed down the first brick. Various bodies have - deliberately or not - dismissed this sport as a thing for fringe elements. It is clear now that this is not the case.’’

Profits from the event - £5000 - promoted by Murray’s Pro Kick Gym, went to the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children. The reason for this chosen charity is one that is personal to Billy Murray, so all in all you could say he had a reasonable evening at the office.

Presenting the cheque to RVH: Left – right back row William Murray, Billy Murray, Chaplin Fhr Paul Byrne, Johnny Davis - Pioneer Promotions Left – Right Bottom Row - Colin Murray - Pioneer Promotions, RVH Medical Admin Rachel McKee & Nurse Rachel Wright

Elsewhere on the bill south Africa born Sheldon Schutzler fought off the challenge of the highly rated Brazilian Espedito Periera Da Silva to maintain his WKN Intercontinental Heavyweight Muay Thai title. It took only until the second minute of the second round for the Black Panther to feel the full force of a man on form. Schulzler, who is based in Belfast, thumped his opponent from the first bell, despite the fact he’d been tipped to lose his title.

After entering the ring to the suitably titled temptation’s hit Get Ready, he reigned in with a flurry of sharp punching combinations and effective low kick. Da Silva was on the floor in the first round, but the knock out in the second was straight out of the top drawer. After a toe-to-toe exchange, Sheldon connected with a two-punch combination - left hook, right hand - which settled the matter beyond any dispute. He’ll now fight for a WKN world title on June 10th in Cape Town.

Belfast child Gary Hamilton was also covered in glory as he defeated Farid Benimoun from Algeria on a clear points decision. The five rounder had many high points, none better than Hamilton’s second round knock down and you felt in the latter round that Gary could take him at any time. However, Benimoun was tough and had his good shots as well, but was always playing the game of catch up. Hamilton now holds the Irish, British, European and World titles at WKN Amateur level and will now move into the professional world of kick-boxing.

The spiky haired tough nut will take on Samir of Morocco in a non-title fight on April 28th in Corsica. Murray was full of praise for his young boys. ‘‘Both Sheldon and Gary did very well but it’s a long process and they both have a lot of highs and lows ahead of them. If they are mentally prepared then they could go far in the game.’’

Young Alan Kilpatrick from Belfast lost out on points to Jeremi Rauzier from France, while southern Irish lion Rory Burke pulled out all the stops to defeat the much fancied Fatili Moug, again on points. This was all the more special as Burke was draughted in as a late replacement for the injured Denver Stewart.

England’s Peter Wilson lost out, again on points, to Tunisia’s Bakir, despite a gutsy display.

However, the night was Billy Murray’s.. The people’s champion return to the ring for one last time and laid to rest the ghosts of kick-boxing past. ‘‘We achieved everything we set out to do. We filled the best venue in Northern Ireland, we raised the profile of the sport, managed to make some money for charity and, on a personal level, I can sleep easy after settling my final score.’’

Murray went on to thank all the sponsors, The Hilton Belfast, David Prentice Motor Group , Company Haircutters, the WKN and Stephane Cabrera just to name but a few. Importantly, the people connected with the event – Pioneer Promotions – Johnny, Joanna, and the man who has as much energy as I have or even more, Colin Murray for a great job on PR for the event, all the team at www.prokick.com - my partner Adele for putting up with me through the tough times. Murray went on to say that he’ll definitely not be making a habit of returning from retirement.

Although you just never know… ‘‘If I’m in good shape at 50 I may come back for one more tilt, although I think I’d be better learning the art of crown green bowling.’’

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