Friends, family and sponsors were all present when Councillor Mr Philip Smith, and the Head of Leisure Services Mr Ian O'Neill honoured the ProKick team for bringing a world champion to Borough of Ards. The BallyGowan man, McMullan, lifted the WKN middleweight world title on September 13th at the Ulster Hall in Belfast. The event was billed as 'The Lords of the Ring' and featured seven WKN World title fights. The show celebrated 25 years since ProKick head Coach Billy Murray won his own first pro world title in the same venue. A show of this magnitude had never been attempted before in Europe and every seat in the house was taken as the show kicked off.

Ballygowan lad Darren McMullan was one of the local competitors that took home a world title on the momentous night, he went up against David Wachs (Germany) for a third time. There had been much controversy around the results of their first two fights in Germany, but not this time. In the final fight in the McMullan-Wachs Trilogy McMullan got exactly what he wanted, and deserved - the bout was stopped by the referee in the forth round after McMullan knocked Wachs down a total of three times. He was awarded his World WKN Champion belt to the delight of a cheering home-crowd.

Northern Ireland's Prokick Gym took home five of the World titles. Of the two that they didn't win one was declared a draw, and the other a loss (by KO in the first round). Billy Murray, head coach Prokick Gym, couldn’t have been prouder as family, friends, and fight fans congratulated him on the superb result. BBC's Joe Lindsay took things a step further and got into the ring to call for more media attention on the sport; as well as proper recognition for Billy Murray’s dedication and work within the sport, and for his support to local communities right across the country.

The Mayor of Ards, Councillor Mr Philip Smith, and the Head of Leisure Services Mr Ian O'Neill both stated they will be sending letters of support to the Sports Council of Northern Ireland recommending that the sport of kickboxing, and it's athletes be recognised.

 

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See images of the meeting with the Mayor & the LOTR event at the Ulster Hall.