A brief Profile on:
Ian Young

Age: 28
Class: Super Welterweight
Record: 7F 4W, 1L, 2Draw
Residence: Co.Down

Titles
British & double Celtic nation title holder



DURING his successful football career with Linfield, Ian Young was used to being told that he was only as good as his last performance.
The former two-time Irish Premier League winner with the Blues is now applying the same lesson to his kickboxing career and reckons his former mentors’ guidance can help him between the ropes.
Young now owns two Celtic titles at two differert weights and is the current British Super welterweight champion.
“I suppose I have achieved quite a bit in a short space of time. I know how long a football season lasts and that league titles are not won over a few games. That’s how I now see my kickboxing career. I am in no rush. With training and time I will be better and prepared to step up to the next level.
It seems Young won’t have to wait long for his opportunity - the Saintfield man gets a crack to bring home the European title.
The elegant young fighter will hope his sleek, chic style of combat brings him the European Super Welterweight crown in Turin on December 1st. The ProKick gym based man has been offered a shot at the major honour as his accelerated rise through the rankings has made him number one contender.
Young is typically upbeat. "This is a little earlier than I expected but I’ve always said if my coach Billy Murray thinks I’m ready, then I’m ready," he said. "It will the toughest fight of my career and it will be in the Thai style of kickboxing, but come December 1st it’s Danilo Fanfano who will be calling ‘Mama Mia’ not me. I’m bringing the European belt home to Northern Ireland."
Young’s competitive career kicked off in October 2005 and took him to Scotland, Geneva three times, Cyprus and to the Ulster Hall, probably the most famous fight arena in Europe and now he is off to Italy to try and concur Europe.
“I’m glad I made the move from football into kickboxing,” he added.
“The buzz from winning in a team game is great but it’s not as good as achieving something as an individual. I love the feeling of being in the ring with so many people watching – there’s no room for error. In football the fans come to watch 22 people competing but in the ring there is just two and that makes it much more intense.”

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