A host of famous names, including former boxing champion Sam Storey and renowned artist Terry Bradley, watched featherweight kickboxing king Gary Hamilton knock out Belgian challenger Gregory Colassin in a top of the bill clash at the weekend.

World Champion Hamilton took just two rounds of their Clandeboye Lodge clash to show Colassin why he is considered by some the best pound-for-pound kickboxer in the world.

"I enjoyed it," said the 25-year-old south Belfast man. "I felt great going into the ring. He’s a tall man, but I just stepped inside his kick and got to him."

It was Hamilton’s punching power rather than his renowned kick that did for Colassin. After taking the first round to find his range, the outcome was never in any doubt when his right hand had Colassin on the canvas twice in the second.

"Gary is in the best shape of his life," said his coach Billy Murray. "He made short work of a tall man. He has sparring in training with Sam Storey and that has taken his punching to a whole new level. Gary’s win here sets him up well for the rest of the year."

"Gary has dominated the WKN division for a couple of years, so it’s the logical step,” he said. “He is the best fighter I have ever trained. We’re hoping to have the title unification in Belfast in June."

It was a night of accolades for Hamilton. The black-tie dinner event in Bangor on Friday (March 5) was the annual Awards for ProKick – the renowned east Belfast gym where Hamilton trains. His place as the king of the gym was cemented when he was crowned Fighter of The Year.

"I’m delighted to be recognised like this, but really there are a dozen fighters of the year in ProKick," said Hamilton. "It is a great place to train, it has a wonderful atmosphere."

Also on the bill were two of Hamilton’s training partners, Lydia Braniff and Andrew Grimason. Braniff, the much fancied hope of the female fight game, went down on points to Republic of Ireland challenger Lynn McEnery.

Braniff never got into her stride and could not match McEnery’s punching or kicking.
But up-and-coming teenage light middleweight Grimaosn stopped Ballymoney’s Darren Alexander in the second round of their non-title clash.

"I’m sorry it didn’t last longer and give the fans something more to see," said Grimason. "But he just couldn’t take the punishment.”