A brief Profile on:
Andrew Grimason

Age: 21
Class: Light middleweight
Record: 17F 15W, 2L, 10Ko's
Residence: Belfast

Titles
Amateur
British, and World light middleweight King

Andrew Grimason, Northern Ireland’s newest world champion, says his success is worth turning down offers from football clubs for.
The 21-year-old had a host of Irish League clubs lining up for his signature after a number of trials in England and Scotland, but instead of kicking a ball for the rest of his sporting career, he decided to kick opponents in the ring.
Grimason took the WKN light-middleweight title following a superb display against the more experience Steve Kitchener of Scotland and since made his first defence.
The home fighter was expected to give Grimason a testing time in the ring, having claimed the east-Belfast man’s career was “all washed up” following his shock loss to Farid M’Laika at the Odyssey Arena in June 05.
For Grimason, the challenge to champ Kitchener was a brave one considering the loss to M’Laika had sent his budding career into a downward spiral. He lost focus and interest following his first loss and attempted to make a comeback in low-kick style kickboxing.
But ‘The Grim Reaper’ is glad he returned to full-contact kickboxing as he now sits alongside Gary Hamilton, Lydia Braniff and coach Billy Murray as a world champion.
Grimason, who began learned his trade at just eight year’s of age, stunned Kitchener in Aberdeen last April, dictating every round to win by a unanimous points decision.
“I have to admit I was going to Aberdeen with a lot of anger building up inside me,” said Grimason.
“I was annoyed that Kitchener thought the fight was over before it had begun and the unkind things he said about my career. I was uncertain about my future in the ring but never at any time did I doubt that I had the talent to become a world champion.
“It was matter of getting my focus back and putting in the hard work that brings this sort of reward.
“If anything, I have learned a lesson from Kitchener and that’s to be magnanimous in victory and as a champion. I will honour the WKN belt in the best manner I can and I will respect those who come and try to take it away from me.”
“Andrew had got rid of his demons and is ready to go further in the fight game. His title win is the result of his determination to prove that his loss last year was a one-off. He has also shown all his colleagues at Prokick Gym what can be achieved with hard work,” said Murray.
“Champions are not born; they have to work hard to reach the top and even harder to stay there.”

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