Kickboxing Mania VII - Odyssey Arena 10 June 2005.

It was a night of high drama and edge-of-the-seat action as the Kickboxing world descended on Belfast for Kickboxing Mania VII. The millions of fans watching the live Eurosport broadcast around the continent were kicking themselves they couldn't be at the Odyssey as fight after fight on the packed card delivered thrills, shocks and genre-defining action. Belfast's own Gary Hamilton overcame mountainous odds following a leg-break to overcome his man and Pocket Dragon Lydia Braniff moved a step closer to a shot at a world title following a successful European title defence. "It was the biggest and best kickboxing night I have ever been involved with - and I've been in this sport for 30 years," said kickboxing legend Billy Murray. "The scale of the thing took your breath away. We had some of the best fighters in the world here and some unbelievable action. Kickboxing is the sport of the future, that is no longer in question."

Here is a break-down of the main fights.

Seconds out:
DING DONG - Round One!
Gary Hamilton vs Yacine Mahillon
Belfast's undefeated featherweight world champion made a remarkable ring return in front of his adoring home fans. Hamilton broke his ankle in competition just six weeks ago but that wasn't enough to keep him away. Although not in world title action he stepped into the ring for a four rounder to show the strength and commitment that has taken him to the peak of his sport. Hamilton had his fans on the edge of their seats with a glittering display of top quality kickboxing - his punching in particular reached new levels of power and accuracy - but his opponent was still there at the final bell and rightly so the Belgian put in a very gutsy performance. In the end Hamilton took the nod from all three. He said afterwards he was hurting but nothing would have kept him from the show.

DING DONG - Round Two!
Mohammad Samir vs Sergio Martinez
French-Moroccan world champion Mohammad Samir, is unstoppable. He bettered his incredible record so that it now reads 107 fights, 107 wins. Feted by many as the best pound for pound Kickboxer on the planet, he finished this one off in less than minute defending his Light Welterweight Thai Boxing world crown. His worthy Portuguese opponent was unable to get into the contest and barely landed a kick or punch in anger before he was caught with incredible skill and speed by a flying knee to the head.

DING DONG - Round Three!
Andrew 'The Grim Reaper' Grimason vs Farid M'Laika
It was a Grim night for the Reaper. The 20-year-old Belfast man suffered his first defeat at the hands of the European Champion Farid M'Laika. The current British super Welterweight champion, put in a fine performance but the greater experience of his opponent came through in the latter stages to take the points decision. "I never got started," he said afterwards. "I learned more from that one fight, than all my previous outings. I'm looking for a re-match.

DING DONG - Round four!
Lydia Braniff V Natalia Grabowska
Lydia 'Pocket Dragon' Braniff might look slight, but she stopped her Polish opponent in four rounds with a devastating display of punching. She defended her European Atomweight crown and now makes a big push for the world title. Like several of the fighters she made a slow start and came under sustained periods of pressure before a deadly volley of punches in the fourth forced a standing count, causing her corner to withdraw her before the final round.

DING DONG - Round five!
Oliver Van Damme V Aurel Boccoci
A major international heavyweight meeting between Germany's Van Damme against Boccoci from Romania. Van Damme wasn't given the opportunity to get started as he came under fire from the off the Romanian winning in 50 seconds of the first, following a powerhouse right hand.

DING DONG - Round Six!
Vinny Di Ruscio V Mohammed Kodade
One of the fights of the night that Kilkenny's Di Ruscio lost on a split points decision to the hard Frenchman. Despite the defeat, his position as one of Ireland's brightest hopes was vindicated with a performance big on heart and technique. On another night, he would have shaved the decision and he will be back, challenging soon for major titles.

DING DONG - Round Seven!
Karate Kid turned Kickboxing sensation Cathy McAleer challenged for her first title, beating tough Scot Adele Steinbeck to the newly formed Celtic title.

Other results
Belfast's Neil Baxter won the British Super middleweight title beating Scottish champion Stephen Nailen with a second round knockout. ProKick club heavyweight Freddie Kinnersley had a tough night when he lost in the second round of a scheduled four for the newly established Celtic title to Scotland's Steve Bonner.

Carrickfergus heavyweight novice Peter Rusk warmed up the crowd with a points victory over Billy Stevens while his team-mate Martin Connolly - also from the east Antrim coast - beat Gary McCleery with a knockout after 90 seconds.

WKN Lightweight Thai-Boxing World title
Mohammed SAMIR (France) Winner 1st round KO Vs Sergio Martinez (Portugal)

WKN European Light-middleweight title
Andrew Grimason (N. Ireland) Vs Farid M'Laika (Switzerland) Winner on points

WKN European Super Heavyweight Thai-Boxing bout
Oliver Van Dame (Germany) Vs Aurel Boccoci (Romania) Winner 1st round KO

WKN International Middleweight bout
Vinny Di Ruscio (Rep. of Ireland) Vs Samir Dourid (France) Winner on points

WKN International Lightweight Prestige bout
Gary Hamilton (N. Ireland) Winner on points Vs Yacine Mahillon (Belgium)

WKN Light Heavyweight British title
Neil Baxter (N. Ireland) Winner 2nd round KO Vs Steve Nailen (Scotland)

WKN Atomweight European title
Lydia Braniff (N. Ireland) Winner 4th round KO Vs Natalia Grabowska (Poland)

WKN Heavyweight Celtic title
Freddie Kinnersley (N. Ireland) Vs Steve Bonner (Aberdeen) Winner by stoppage

WKN Featherweight Celtic title
Cathy McAleer (N. Ireland) Winner 2nd round KO Vs Adele Steinbeck (Scotland)

WKN International Super Heavyweight Contest
Martin Connelly (N. Ireland) Winner 1st round KO Vs Gary McCleery (Scotland)

WKN International Super Heavyweight Contest
Peter Rusk (N. Ireland) Winner on points Vs Billy Stevens (Scotland)