Belfast’s
Gary Hamilton may retire undefeated as featherweight champion
of the world after a classic encounter at the Ulster Hall on Friday
night. The 24-year-old now sets his sights on climbing to the
top of the lightweight division and on Friday’s form, there’s
nothing to suggest he won’t make it. He faced number one
contender Ewgenij Mytyay at the Kickmas Box show and though the
Ukrainian gave away several inches in height, he showed why he
could become Hamitlon’s featherweight heir with a tenacious,
brave and battling display.
The judges had Hamilton ahead in every round and though the champ
never looked in trouble, he knew he was in a scrap for the entire
12 rounds.
Earlier in the evening, French light-welterweight Mohammad Samir
showed why some consider him to be the
best pound for pound kickboxer in the world with a classy, consummate
display to retain his world
thai-boxing title.
The fight was stopped in the fourth round of five when his opponent
Damien Velvelidis from Belgium retired
with a broken left foot. But the truth is that even had it gone
the distance, Samir would have won by a
unanimous decision, such was the gulf in class and natural edge-of-the-seat
ability between him and his
challenger.
There was also cause for more local celebration at the Kickmas
Box as Belfast’s battling postie Lydia Braniff
ended the year as European champion, taking a commanding points
victory over tough Finnish
Atomweight Maritta Saastamoinen. And Andrew Grimason retained
his British title making short work of
English champion Barinder Singh, stopping the Leicester man in
the second round after a barrage of
devastating punches - in fairness to the English man Singh, he
conceded weight in the fight to make it happen.
Thanks to all our visitors from far and near who
helped make KICKmas II possible.
Billy Murray