Northern Ireland’s world kickboxing champion Gary Hamilton defended his featherweight title for the final time in Belfast’s Ulster Hall on December 17.
The 24-year-old local hero has announced he will move to lightweight after winner a 12 round thriller in front of home fans. The final defence saw him headline the annual KICKmas Box taking on tough Ukrainian Ewgenij Mytyay.
“It’s time to step up a division and plan for another world title shot. Meeting the weight is proving too difficult now,” said Hamilton today.
“I intended to finish as an unbeaten featherweight champ, and that's what I've done. This was not a swan-song, it’s the beginning of a new chapter for me.”
Hamilton sheared top billing with light-welterweight great Mohammad Samir.
The Mauy Thai, low kicks and full contact triple world champion stopped his opponent Damien Velvelidis of Belgian in the 5th.
“He’s the best in his division everyone was so happy to see him again here, last time Samir's fight was too short - but this time the Belfast fight fans got value for money with a punch perfect performance.” said the Belfast world champion, Hamilton..

Sharing the card on the festive feast of fists and feet was north Belfast battling postie Lydia ‘Pocket Dragon’ Braniff who picked up a European title . Her Prokick training partner Andrew ‘Belfast Express’ Grimason - won in devastating fashion by way of a 2nd round KO.

Catherine McAleer, the champion karate fighter, continued with her sidestep into the world of kickboxing. She fought first on the Ladykillers card in October and showed great improvement in the world of kickboxing.
Galway’s world amateur middleweight Ken Horan notched out a draw over tough Swiss champion Farid Mlaikia.