“Grim reaps the reward ”

By William Bruce ringside in Aberdeen
Picture by Graeme Bolton

BELFAST'S Andrew 'The Grim Reaper' Grimason was crowned WKN light middleweight world amateur champion for a second time in Aberdeen last Saturday night.
Grimason, nicknamed 'The Grim Reaper' because of his explosive knockout fighting style. This time he may not have found the knockout punch or kick that has seen 12 other fighters hit the canvas – but the east Belfast 21 year-old did give the gutsy Scot more than a run for his money.

"Kitchener's camp made a big deal out of our first world title fight claiming that they deserved to win the fight and be crowned champion of the world. I wanted to prove a point and offered him another shot” Said a happy Grimason, “It’s one thing to win a world title but to defend it that means much more to me! I have to give Steve Kitchener credit, he put up a good fight but this time we had a game plan, we stuck to it and it worked out and this Belfast boy is still Light Middleweight champion of the world. I couldn’t be more happier. A big thanks to my coach Mr Murray and all my team mates for all their support and help.”
Grimason’s coach Billy Murray was delighted for his young world beater, "That was an amazing display," he said.
"I had no doubt that Andrew would win, but to win the way he did was a dream, he has now beaten Stevie Kitchener twice and there won’t be a third time lucky for the gutsy and talented Scot. Kitchener may have much more experience than Andrew but I think he would do well to consider contesting for European glory until Andrew turns professional and then he would fulfil his goal of winning a world crown.”

Andrew led a team of nine fighters taking on the best of the Scottish.

In chief support to Grimason’s World title was club mate and former Linfield football star Ian ‘Young Gun’ who was attempting to become a two time Celtic nations champion as he took on Scottish champion Jackie Byrnie over a scheduled four rounds. A super fit Young started like a sprinter out of the blocks making short work of the Scottish champion - sending Byrnie to the canvas twice in the first round. The two time Irish premier league star floored Byrnie a further two times in the second round before catching the Scot with a knockout punch-kick combination forcing the referee to call an immediate halt to the fight. It was a double celebration for Young, as it was a year to the day when Young donned the gloves for the first time to win in Aberdeen and then to go back to where it all began and win a second title was a momentous occasion for him.

”It’s hard to believe that exactly one year ago I had my first competitive fight in Aberdeen, that was a fantastic night for me, and in one year I’ve now had ten fights, I’ve fought in Geneva and in Cyprus twice and I even fought in front of ‘Marvelous Marvin Hagler’ and topping that I now hold two kickboxing crowns at two different weights. It’s been an amazing year for me. I feel excited and focused about my next challenge which is for the British super welterweight title.”

Topping the bill in the first half of the show was a WKN Amateur EUROPEAN Championship fought under Full Contact rules with home boy Steve Bonner and BERTRAND of France in a four round heavyweight clash. The fight went the distance with both men battling to the very end, Bonner scoring the more accurate blows and took the bout on a points decision to become the new WKN European amateur champion. Well done Steve Bonner from all at ProKick.

Galway’s Kickboxing World champion Ken Horan was back in action as part of an All Ireland assault against the Scottish last weekend in Aberdeen. Ken was supporting some of his Northern brothers in their bid for championship glory by taking part in a world championship demonstration bout. And after his bout it was announced by the WKN representative, Robert Masterson, who has witnessed over two hundred world title fights over 25 years, as one of the most explosive demonstration bouts he has ever seen. Ken 'The Hitman' Horan took on former welterweight champion Stuart Magowan in a special four rounder with both men showing what it takes to become a world champion. This was a warm-up for Ken as part of a campaign for the popular Horan before he defends his amateur middleweight world title.
Ken had this to say today, "I'm really looking forward to defending my title, the promoters are keeping it really quiet for now of who and where I will fight. One thing for sure - it's going to be in Ireland where all my fight fans and friends will be able to lend me their support."
You heard it here first at ProKick.com - We will bring you more details soon - of who, where and when this momentous occasion will take place.

Magherafelt’s Golden Dragon kickboxing coach Darren Dougan has made a name for himself as the ‘Noisy-Deaf Man’. Dougan took a unanimous point’s victory over Scotland’s Stevie Peatrie after a one sided and most nosiest contest of the evening. The popular Loup man hears nothing in the ring due to deafness inflicted on him from a young age, referees now know that they must shout even louder to get Darren's attention. " Every time I coach Darren I need to bring a cough bottle and throat lozenges because I have to shout so much to get his attention." Said fomer world champion Billy Murray.
This brings Dougans record from eleven to twelve. He now looks forward to defending his Celtic title. Meanwhile, another local man Niall Mullan, Darren Dougan's student made it two wins on the trot by beating Lee Taylor of Aberdeen on a close fought points victory.

Saintfield man Gary Jess defended the family honour after older brother Stuart lost on a points decision against antagonist Alexander White. It was a seesaw battle for the first couple of rounds with White edging a lead in the thrid and fouth to take the decision from all three judges. This was an unpopular win with the Prokick team as they thought the cocky but talented White displayed unsportman like conduct to an old foe!
Meanwhile younger brother Gary didn’t leave any dispute for the judges when he caught Stevie Waldron flush with a straight right hand (Pictured right). The Aberdeen man didn’t made the count but the doctor stopped the match - giving the Saintfield fighter two wins out of two. Young Gary Jess is one to watch out for. He is a dedicated fighter and even though it is early days for him with having only two fights I can see him going far in the sport of kickboxing. He intends to follow in his brothers footsteps and win British honours.

Dungannon's Gareth Williamson faced Steve Cauldwell in an all action bout with Williamson starting like a man possessed and for the first two rounds it looked like the Dungannon fighter was going to win inside the distance but the gutsy Scot weathered the storm and came back with good punches and kicks of his own, forcing Williamson's coach to stop the bout in favour of Steve Cauldwell.

Finally, Craig Challis broke his losing streak with an impressive win over Dundee’s Mark Anderson. The popular Prokick assistant instructor took the fight at short notice when another team member dropped out due to illness. Challis said “I’m really glad that I took the fight now. I was a bit apprehensive about my fitness and especially after losing in Comber against Niall Mullan, I am absolutely over the moon, it was a good test for me.”

Big special thanks to Albert Ross and the team for a great show and superb hospitality as usual
And a big thanks for 'The Chill' Trevor Ambrose for attending as special guest of the promoter.

Some pictures from the event in Aberdeen

Other Results in Brief:

WKN Light middleweight World Amateur Title -
Andrew Grimason (Points Win) (Belfast NI) Vs Steve Kitchener (Fraserburgh Scotland)

WKN Super welterweight
Ian Young (Winner 2nd TKO)(Belfast NI) Vs Jackie Byrnie (Aberdeen Scotland)

Light welterweight
Stuart Jess (Saintfield NI ) Vs Alexander White (Points Win) (Motherwell Scotland)

WKN heavyweight Low kick
Gary Jess (Winner 1st KO) Vs Steven Waldron Fraserburgh)

WKN Middleweight bout
Darren Dougan (Points win) (The Loup) Vs. Steve Petrie (Dundee)
WKN world demonstration bout

Ken 'The Hitman' Horan (Galway) Vs. Stuart MaGowan (Dundee)
WKN Cruiserweight bout
Craig Challis (Points win) (Larne) Vs Paul Doyle (Aberdeen)

WKN Super-Cruiserweight bout
Niell Mullan (Points win) Vs Lee Taylor (Aberdeen)

Gareth Williamson (Dungannon) Vs Steve Cauldwell (Points Win) (Motherwell)

WKN Amateur EUROPEAN Championship Full Contact
Steve Bonner (Points win) ( Scotland ) Vs BERTRAND (France)

Back to news