REPORT
FROM THE -
Next Generation Falls Leisure Centre event
William Bruce reporting ringside
at the Falls Leisure centre, Belfast
Click here to see Fight clips
ProKick Gym's reputation as the number
one Kickboxing base in Northern Ireland was reinforced at the weekend
when its fighters triumphed against all comers at the ‘Next
Generation’ show in the Falls leisure centre.
Ten rising ProKick stars squared-up against a host of new talent
from Germany, England, Scotland and the South of Ireland. There
was an incredible 12 bouts on the action-packed afternoon bill.
    
   
"This was a great success for Kickboxing,"
said ProKick chief coach Billy Murray. "It was great to see
such a wonderful spread of talent from across the country. Obviously
I am proud ProKick fighters did so well, but the main success story
was kickboxing itself. The sport can now draw on so many talented
newcomers – and that is because of the strides the sport has
made in recent years.”
Some 400 fight fans packed into the small leisure centre as both
sides of the community came together as one team in a celebration
of kickboxing - It’s not often that news of a fight involving
the Falls and Shankill Roads is good news, but this time that’s
exactly what it was.
“Our club from the Shankill joined forces with our Falls club
to unite as one team - brothers in arms shouting and cheering encouragement
for each other; and just the way it should always be. I’m
so proud of all my fighters and of what we all have accomplished
for this event.”
Murray went on to say, “And the icing on the cake was that
none of the Shankill and Falls fighters lost.”
The event seen some rising stars from across Belfast test themselves
against some of the brightest names nationally and internationally.
“The ProKick Falls club has been running for a year now and
we decided to celebrate one of our fastest growing centres of kickboxing
excellence with a fantastic international kickboxing event,”
said Murray. “And what a great way to help build a stronger
community spirit - not by competing against one another but by taking
on all-comers as one team.”
“Our clubs across Northern Ireland have been cross-community
for years. It is an aspect of which we’re all very proud of
at ProKick. Later in the year, we plan to have an event with Falls
based fighters competing on the Shankill. This is just the beginning!”
Heavyweight James Gillen, a former double Irish champion , didn’t
have as much luck on the day when he was caught cold with an over
hand right punch in the opening round that saw him counted out along
with his dreams of becoming a British champion.
  Belfast’s
world champion Pocket Dragon Lydia Braniff notched up another victory
against tough German Thai boxing champion Suyin Gelis. The Belfast
world beater Braniff didn’t get it all her own way as the
judges were split in their decision; in fairness to Braniff she
gave away nearly half a stone in weight. The North Belfast Queen
of kicks - still unbeaten.
Ian Young’s fast growing reputation seems to be putting fighters
off from coming to Belfast to fight him. The current British champion
Young, was to face veteran Shaun James a campaigner of over 40 fights.
The Englishman pulled out at short notice with no excuse. The WKN
are seeking an explanation.
Oh Brother – Killinchy’s Barrie Oliver had a double
celebration in his debut fight at the Falls Leisure centre. Just
as the light middleweight was stepping into the ring to face Scotland’s
Graham Ross he was informed that his mother, who was to be ringside
for the event, couldn’t make it as she was forced to make
a detour to the Royal Victory hospital. Mrs Oliver was nine months
pregnant and had fears the excitement of her sons big kickboxing
bout would send her into labour at ringside. The proud mum didn’t
get as far as the venue and gave birth to a healthy baby boy just
as Barrie was declared winner of his first bout. Barrie dedicated
his victory to his mum and to his new baby brother.
Results in brief:
WKN British Super Heavyweight Championship
James Gillen (NI) Vs Robert Gledhill Winner
1st Rnd KO - WKN Champion (ENG)
Light Middleweight
Ian Young Winner by Walkover (NI ProKick)Vs
Shaun James ( ENG)
Super Heavyweight
Martin Connolly (NI) Vs Dylan Scally Winner
TKO 3rd Rnd (Dublin)
International bouts
Bantamweight
Akville Vitkatuse (Lithuania) Winner on points
(fighting out of Dublin) Vs Meryam Uslu (Germany)
Atomweight
Lydia Braniff Winner on points (ProKick
NI) Vs Suyin Gelis (Germany)
Novice International and National Bouts
Super Welterweight
Bill Graham Winner on points (Prokick
NI) Vs Nils Hackstein (Germany)
Light Middleweight
Draw
Darren Wilkinson (Prokick NI) Vs Oleg Kelh (Germany)
Welterweight - Doctor
disallowed contest
Eamon Farrell (ProKick NI) Vs Matty Turner Walkover win (ENG)
Light Middleweight
Stevie Kidd Winner on points (Prokick
NI) Vs Chris Thompson (Kicktec Scotland)
Light Middleweight
Barrie Oliver Winner on points (Prokick
NI ) Vs Graham Ross (Kicktec Scotland)
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