Wexford’s Sean ‘Super
Kick’ Collier is the toast of Europe this week after
being crowned the WKN European Light Heavyweight champ.
The rising star convincingly beat Frenchman Bernard Merche
at the ‘Rumble In The Bay’ in Galway Leisureland
last Sunday (October 26).
The former world amateur champion beat Merche on an unanimous
points decision. It was Merche’s first defeat in over
40 outings. He was the first to acknowledge Collier’s
victory lifting his arm aloft to proclaim him champion before
the judges had totted up the score cards.
The victory now puts him in line for a shot at the world
title. He’s the first Irishman ever to challenge in
the Heavyweight division.
Meanwhile, Galway’s Owen ‘Feet of Fla mes’
Flatley saw his title dreams extinguished when he was beaten
by French star Eric Schmitt. As always Flatley showed true
grit and determination battling to the final bell, but the
judges decision was unanimous.
In the final bout, Clodagh
Dougan also from Galway came through a tough five round
encounter with Nadege Szikora to lift the WKN pro/am bantamweight
title.
It
was a fighter on the under-card - petite Belfast postal
worker Lydia Braniff - who was the toast of the kickboxing
stars gathered on the west coast.
The pocket dragon, who fights at Atomweight, continued her
climb up the ranks of female kickboxing with a decisive
points win over Galway’s Anne Connelly.
"Make no mistake, Lydia may be the lightest fighter
we have at Prokick but when she steps into the ring, she
unleashes a hidden dragon," said her coach Billy Murray
of Belfast’s ProKick gym. "She is very powerful,
she is only 26 and she has a brilliant future ahead of her
in the sport."
Braniff won her first competitive fight in Belfast’s
Ulster Hall in September. She is one of a growing number
of women who have decided to follow kickboxing and step
into the ring.
She travelled to Galway with her ProKick team-mate Andrew
Grimason. Grimason – a young footballer star turned
kickboxing title hope - is starting to live up to expectations
with a spectacular win in only his second fight.
The 18-year-old stopped experienced journeyman John Walsh
in the first round of his bout in Galway on Sunday (October
26).
Fight fans keen to see competitive kickboxing at the highest
level, should head to the Ulster Hall in Belfast on December
22. The ‘KICKmas Box’ extravaganza will see
two of the north’s world Champions – Gary Hamilton
and Gary Noade – lay their titles on the line in two
explosive clashes.
A full under-card pits the best of local talent against
a host of European rising stars.
As a special Christmas treat for Kickboxing and fight fans,
there will be a limited number of ‘KICKmas Box’
family tickets available. A group of four, two adults and
two children - can pick up a ticket for just £25 –
that’s a 50% saving. Tickets otherwise are £15
- £25 ringside. Tickets are available through ProKick
and affiliated gyms on 028 90 651074 For further details,
go to prokick.com.
It
was a fighter on the under-card - petite Belfast postal
worker Lydia Braniff - who was the toast of the kickboxing
stars gathered on the west coast. 
