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In the fight of the night, the tough-as-nails challengers Daniel “The Jet” Zahra, from the Ying Yang and “Super” Steve Martin, from the Wu Shu Ky did not disappoint the crowd and indeed went to war for the vacant Maltese middleweight WKN K1 title belt

By Alex Zammit

The Malta Kick Boxing and K1 National championships which were held on Tuesday the 28^th of June at the Stitch club in San Gwann, Malta, were a huge success. The ‘Gladiators Promoters’ delivered what they promised an exciting fight event which was easily one of the best .in recent years.

The large crowd of spectators and fans vociferously showed their appreciation and support for the event by being proactive all the way, often chanting the name of the fighters. The venue it self was excellent well lit and the organization was smooth and fault less. A truly enjoyable and memorable fight night.

Main Event K1 – Steve Martin vs Daniel Zahra (Middleweight)

Round 1 – Both fighters came out of their corners hard, fast and vicious and engaged directly at close quarters exchanging several low kicks and blows, with the action going back and forth. Martin suffers a cut to the forehead over his right eye.

Round 2 – Martin got the upper hand in the opening minute with two beautifully executed front kicks, which had Zahra down on the canvas momentarily, in this round both fighters landed several kicks and blows but Martin seemed to have the upper hand in this round.

Round 3 – Zahra came out strong with flurries of kicks and punches; Martin picked up the pace and responded. Both fighters showing no fear exchanged blow for blow and kick for kick but neither could quite connect a KO blow with the knee.

The last two rounds added to the drama in great fashion. Zahra continued his incredible assault, while Martin increased his output, himself looking for the knockout. Zahra looked like he was close to getting it when he battered Martin in the last minute of the fifth round.The closing seconds of the last round definitely belonged to Zahra,a well executed round house kick missed Martin by inches and the plucky Martin although being battered on the ropes held on and found the strength to block the onslaught of blows and kicks unleashed by Zahra.

In the end, neither one scored a KO but they still delivered a brutal and thrilling middleweight war, a candidate for the Maltese “K1 Fight of the Year”. It was a close fight and the judges had to decide who would leave the ring with the prestigious local WKN belt. Zahra got the decision but it is without a doubt that both fighters showed true mettle and proved themselves as true warriors in the ring.

Co Main Event – K1 – Renald “Ice Man” Tabone vs Reuben “Wolf” Azzopardi Tabone for the Red Dragon and Azzopardi for the Ying Yang - battled for the Maltese light heavyweight WKN title. This was a three round contest; both fighters came out fighting from a distance and avoided engaging in close combat, both using jabs and high kicks trying to find an opening for a KO blow. The end came for Tabone in the third round when Azzopardi locked him in the corner and delivered a beautifully executed knee strike to the side which send him down to the canvas. Tabone could not regain his feet and referee Demis Sicluna waved it off with one minute to go.

Undercard – Main

MaltaHeavyweight Kickboxing Title – Sean Cutajar (for the Wu Shu Ky) vs Kevin Cassar (for the Ying Yang). The first round opened with heavy punches and some nicely place kicks by Cutajar but the tide soon turned as Cassar upped the pressure and Cutajar startd to absorb some heavy punishment from the faster Cassar. While Cutajar had his moments there was little doubt as to the outcome of this encounter and the judges had no problems in declaring Cassar the winner.

MaltaCruiserweight Kickboxing Title – Tyron Borg (for the Wu Su Ky) vs Nicky Ellul (for the Ying Yang) – A balanced fight in the first two rounds, with Borg showing slightly superior punching power. The tide turned toward the end of round two when it seemed that Ellul had run out of steam. Borg took the title on a points win.

Malta Super Cruiserweight Kickboxing Title Belt – Eman Zammit (from The New Kickboxing Club) vs Elian Mallia (from the Ying Yang) – Both fighter started very aggressive and exchanged flurries of low kicks and punches, round 2 was more of the same, with Mallia showing signs of settling down and edging ahead, round 3 Mallia found his range and started landing better kicks and blows – Mallia became champion on a points win.

Malta Welterweight Kick Boxing Title: Terence Cilia of the Ying Yang defeated a game but outclassed Tyron Muscat of the Wu Shu Ky – Cila came out fast and furious, to his merit Muscat rallied against the onslaught to answer back with some well executed kicks and punches but Cilia showed superior ring skills and the judges gave him victory on points.

Undercard – Non Title – Full Protection Gear.

• Alan Ellul of the Ying Yang defeated Clayton Portelli of the Wu Shu Ky on points.
• Lorna Mifsud of the Wu shy Ky defeated Jessie Davey of the Yin Yang on points
• Andrew Hillsden of the Ying Yang defeated Joseph Fenech of the Wu Shu Ky on Points

The Hillsden vs Fenech fight is worth noting because Hillsden is 50 years of age and he was taking on an opponent half his age. Andrew Hillsden sporting a good physique and a good level of fitness started training kickboxing at the late age of 49 and considering his age his skill level is quite good, his fitness was also tested to the full when the judges ordered two extra rounds of one minute each as they could not decide on a winner.

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Tonight is judgement day for Gladiators Fighters, where the best fighters on the island after months of training and preparation will clash for their Category Title Belts

World Champions, Daniel ”The Jet” Zahra (WKN) and ”Super” Steve Martin (WUMA) will be facing each other in a highly anticipated Middleweight, WKN sanctioned bout for the Malta National K1 Title, which will be the main event at ‘Fight Night’ which is to be held today Tuesday 28th June at Stitch Club in San Gwann, Malta. Doors open at 7 PM

Tickets at the door: 15 Euros

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By Alex Zammit

World Champions, Daniel ”The Jet” Zahra (WKN) and ”Super” Steve Martin (WUMA) will be facing each other in a highly anticipated Middleweight, WKN sanctioned bout for the Malta National K1 Title, which will be the main event on ‘Fight Night’ which is to be held at Stitch Club in San Gwann, Malta on Tuesday 28th June.

During a Press Conference held on Tuesday 14^th June at the Shadow Lounge in Paceville, local WKN representative Adrian Axisa presented the two leading K1 fighters to those present and wished them and all those participating the best of luck in what is being billed as Malta’s biggest ever K1 and Kickboxing Nationals. Axisa thanked all those who attended the conference.

Zahra’s coach Master Noel Mercieca said that he believes in Zahra’s potential and this is proven not only by results in the local scene but also by results obtained abroad. Mercieca appealed for assistance from the local authorities and also from the local media to help promote more this sport.

Steve Martin’s coaches, Silvio Camilleri and Scott Dixon were both diplomatic in their remarks and said; that these two fighters were great athletes and that they were sure that both would be giving a hundred percent effort on the day.

Quotes

“Super” Steve Martin “I am in top fighting form at the moment and my physical condition is at a peak, I am ready to face Daniel. I wish him the best of luck and may the best fighter win”.

Daniel Zahra who will be turning professional in K1 this coming October said “I am really looking forward for this bout against Steve. He is a very good athlete and I respect him for his recent achievements but I obviously am going out to win on the night”.

This event which is being organised by local promoters ‘Gladiators’ will include not less than 11 bouts with the highlight being the final match between Zahra and Martin who come from Wu Shu Ky Kickboxing Club and Ying Yang Kickboxing Club respectively.

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Thai Boxing training for Ying Yang Kickboxing

In May members of the Ying Yang Kickboxing club went to Belgium to take part in a four day training seminar in Thai Boxing. This was done to further their knowledge in this discipline and to train for upcoming K1 competitions.

Master Noel Mercieca, the founder of Ying Yang Kickboxing together with four of his students were given training from the World Thai Boxing Champion Osman Yigin. The Maltese team included Master Noel Mercieca, Daniel Zahra, Reuben Azzopardi, Nicholas Ellul and Isaac Chetcuti.

Osman Yigin is a champion in different disciplines such as Thai Boxing, Kickboxing and K1 Kickboxing and is the local hero in his home town. Osman mostly focuses in training professional Thai Boxers which some of them even have European and World Title Belts.

The seminar included two training sessions every day and each session varied from two to a three hour workout or techniques. This served as a valuable experience for the Maltese athletes as they practiced in professional training. During the session the Maltese athletes kept head to head with the Belgian ones as Osman was giving his normal exercises.

Master Mercieca received technical knowledge on the professional level from Osman regards on how certain Thai Boxing training and techniques can be done. This seminar served as well as a preparation for the next World Kickboxing Network (WKN) K1 competition where Daniel Zahra and Terence Cilia will represent Malta in Cyprus on the 10^thof June.

Currently the Malta Kickboxing Association (MKBA) is organising the Maltese Kickboxing and K1 Championships on the 28^thof June. For further information regarding the Championship and training sessions visit the site www.yingyangkickboxing.comor contact Master Noel Mercieca on 79208283 or[email protected].

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