Two of Northern Ireland’s brightest kickboxing hopes Andrew Grimason and Paul Armitage are heading to Switzerland today to face the toughest tests of their brief careers.The pair, who have excited the entire Irish kickboxing community with their early successes in ring, head to Geneva to compete on an international bill that sees the very best of amateur talent from Ireland, Germany, Italy, France, Canada and Switzerland compete.

Grimason has already picked up plaudits from the biggest name in Irish kickboxing.

“Andrew is one of the most exciting talents I have seen in years,” said Gary Hamilton, the Belfast-born Featherweight WKN World Champion. “He could go all the way.”

The Eighteen-year-old recently turned his back on a bright footballing career to concentrate on kickboxing. Preston North End and a host of Irish league teams had all been chasing his signature.And Armitage, with a three fight three win record is well on his way to his first title.

“Paul had a lay-off from the sport for a year, but he is back now fully focused and prepared for title assaults. He should be in line for an Irish title shout just after Christmas,” said his coach Billy Murray of the renowned ProKick Gym in east Belfast. “If both Paul and Andrew hit the mark in Geneva, they will be on form for the Kickmas Box in December.”Armitage and Grimason are part of an all Ireland team that also includes the Burke brothers from Galway and new Belfast name Aubrey Tarr. All the fighters compete tomorrow (December 4).

At the Kickmas Box – billed as a festive feast of fists and feet – Grimason will share a fight-card with Hamilton and the province’s other world champion Gary Noade. A full undercard will also feature the best of new kickboxing talent in the UK and Ireland.

Tickets for the show are £15 - £25 ringside. Tickets are available through ProKick and affiliated gyms on 028 90 651074.

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