“Report from Aberdeen”

Report by Frantastic Spance & William Bruce at ringside in Aberdeen
Pictures by: Graeme Bolton
Picture Special from Aberdeen

Andrew Grimason is the latest Northern Irish World beater
BELFAST'S Andrew 'The Grim Reaper' Grimason was crowned WKN light middleweight world amateur champion in Aberdeen on Saturday night.
Grimason, nicknamed 'The Grim Reaper' because of his explosive knockout fighting style, lived up to his moniker with a deadly display that had the Scot Stevie Kitchener under constant pressure for most of their world title fight.
"I’m delighted, I’m over the moon, it was an amazing experience," said Grimason after his unanimous points victory. "I felt good going into the fight. I was confident . Kitchener camp had said some things about being too strong for me, so I had a point to prove. I never felt troubled during the fight at all. Kitchener's T.shirts said 'If you can't stand the heat - stay away from the Kitchener' well this Belfast boy switched his oven off and now I'm champion of the world. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my coach Mr Murray, I started training at Prokick when I was 8 years old and it goes to show that if you stick at something and put your heart and soul into it, it pays off, this is the greatest feeling in the world"
Grimason’s coach Billy Murray was full of praise for his young star. "That was a devastating display," he said. "We had a fight plan and carried it out for the full five rounds – I knew Andrew would win, but to win the way he did was a dream, he actually gave Stevie Kitchener a kickboxing lesson and Kitchener has much more experience than Andrew, but saying that Steve was dangerous right to the end throwing very strong punches. I'll sit down in the next week, when Andrews head comes down from the clouds and we'll decide where we go from here."
Before Andrew's camp had time to celebrate there were offers of a rematch from Albert Ross Kitchener's coach...Stay tuned for up-dates on this! Picture Special from Aberdeen

IAN 'Young Gun' took his new look and moniker into his Celtic title fight on Saturday night in Scotland.
The chisel-chinned former Linfield player had planned to shoot down Ziggy Ferguson in a Blaze of Glory.
The two-time Irish League title winner was fully loaded with determination to take Ferguson out, Young did everything asked and more in his bid to secure the Celtic light middleweight title.
When the final bell ran and the bout was over it was still ‘High Noon’ this time it was the judges locked in a heavy debate over who was to become the new Celtic champion. Officials at ringside were split on who was to get the decision and after what seemed like an eternity the WKN senior official Mr Bob Hunter from England over-ruled the three presiding judges to tip in favour for the local man Ziggy Ferguson.
Young's coach Billy Murray was furious with the decision "I think it's a total disgrace that the judges read this fight wrong! It's not a case of whining about a close decision for one of my fighters but I've had over 30 years in this game and Ian Young did not lose the fight. I don't like crying over spilt milk but this one I am really bitter about, Ian really put himself out training harder than ever, in my opinion he won the fight on the night and unfortunately didn't win the judges favour"
Young prepares for his next bout taking no rest, he will be in action on May 6th, Geneva for an international team event. The Saintfield man said today from his home: "I'm extremely disappointed, I feel I've let a lot of people down by not winning this match. I'll just have to train harder and get more experience in the ring. I' have to keep reminding myself that this is only my fifth fight and to be fighting for a Celtic title twice is a great achievement. Don't ride me off just yet as I will be a champion, I am so determined to do this and thanks for all the help from all my team-mates at the club."

Other successes on the Aberdeen fight-card
Carrickfergus' Babyfaced Assassin Peter Rusk was crowned the new cruiserweight WKN British champion when he knocked out Scotlands British champion Dareen Thompson in the 1st round. The referee didn't take time to count to ten as he waived the fight off and called in the doctor. Rusk fired a volley of shots that forced the Scot on the ropes, finishing him off with big right hook that floored the former champion.

Picture Special from Aberdeen


Martin Connolly brought a new meaning to the saying, 'gone in 60 seconds' That is the time he took to get in and out of the ring after knocking out the Scottish champion Dave Hill with a powerful right hand.

Co Down man Stuart Jess was beaten not broken by his defeat to the more experienced Sammi Fathallah of Switzerland last month. This time it was a different Jess that came to the ring, The Dromore man is back to his best after beating the Celtic champion Mickey Shields of Motherwell on a clear points victory. Jess will also travel to the UN's capital next month for an international contest.

Derry's Darren Dougan had his Scottish opponent on the canvas no less then six times over a scheduled three rounder against Shan Wanless. This win now rewarded Darren with a chance to fight for the Celtic super-middleweight kickboxing title after an impressive transition to the sport from Kung Fu.
His progress as a kickboxer has been swift and next months title bout will mark only his tenth competitive bout.
“I’m excited about this opportunity to finally get a belt around my waist,” said Dougan.
“This time last year I would never have imagined myself fighting for a domestic title but I must have impressed along the way.”
The father of four was involved in Kung Fu for 10 years before switching to kickboxing. While he trains in the Oak Leaf county, his corner-man is none other than former four-time world champion Billy Murray.
He will the chief attraction on a Next Generation show 'Mayhem II' at The Loup on May 14th.

"Overall the trip to Scotland was a great success bringing back two major titles and five wins out of six the only down side is the poor decision of the judges with Ian Young which I'm really gutted with. Hopefully we'll have something rectified soon. It's onward and upwards for the sport of kickboxing, we have something really worth shouting about now as we can boast 3 world champions from Northern Ireland, and there's more to come!" Said a delighted Murray.

Big special thanks to Albert Ross and all his team for a great show and superb hospitality as usual

WKN Light middleweight World Amateur Title
Andrew Grimason (Belfast NI) (Winner points) Vs Steve Kitchener ( Fraserburgh Scotland)

WKN British heavyweight title
Peter Rusk (Carrickfergus NI) (Winner 1st KO) Vs Darren Thompson (Aberdeen)

WKN Celtic title Light Middleweight
Ian Young (Belfast NI) Vs Ziggy Ferguson (Aberdeen Scotland) (winner on points)

Super Heavyweight
Martin Connolly (Carrickfergus NI) (1st KO) Vs Dave Hill ( Motherwell)

Light Welterweight
Stuart Jess (Winner on points)(Dromore-NI) Vs Mickey Shields ( Motherwell)

Super Middleweight
Darren Dougan (The Loup)(Winner by points) Vs. Shan Wanless (Dundee)

Picture Special from Aberdeen

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