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Posts Tagged ‘Maltese’

Although Charlie Magri’s parents were Maltese, he was born in Tunisia, on the 20 July 1956. In 1957 the year after Charlie Magri was born, saw great political upheavals in Tunisia and the Magri family, along with hundreds of other emigrant Maltese families eventually opted to leave Tunisia and they settled in Stepney, London.

It was a decision that was to have great significance in the life of young Magri and one that gave Britain one of its greatest boxers of the era.

Charlie Magri was introduced to boxing by Jim Batten, (a former British 154lbs champ).

Under trainer Jimmy Graham, he quickly moved up the amateur ranks, leading up to his 1976, Olympic Games participation.

As an amateur he won four ABA national titles, one at light-flyweight and the other three (1975-77) at flyweight and also took the bronze medal at the 1975 European Championships in Poland. He was considered a real medal prospect in Montreal were he was surprising stopped by Canada’s Ian Clyde in the final round of his opening bout, Magri the 1976 ABA Flyweight champion turned pro after the games.

He debuted as a pro, in a 10 rounder on the 25 October 1977, against Neil McLaughlin at the, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom, (Magri won TKO round 2) and then created history by becoming British flyweight champion in only his third fight. Magri annexed the European title by defeating Italy’s Franco Udella in 1980 and defended his title on four further occasions.

World title: In March 1983, he fought Eleoncio Mercedes, of the Dominican Republic, for the WBC world flyweight title. The fight was at the Empire Pool, Wembley and Magri won the title when the fight was stopped in the seventh on cuts.

In September 1983, he defended his world title against Frank Cedeno, of the Philippines. The fight was at the Empire Pool, and Magri lost his title when the referee stopped the fight in the sixth, after Magri had been put down three times.

In August 1984, Magri fought for the vacant European flyweight title that he had previously relinquished. He fought Italian, Franco Cherchi in Cagliari, Italy. Magri won in the first round when a clash of heads left the Italian so badly cut that the referee had to stop the fight.

In May 1986, Magri had his last fight, defending his European title against Duke McKenzie of Croydon. Magri had relinquished his British flyweight title in August 1981, and McKenzie was now the holder. The fight was stopped in the fifth round when Magri was knocked down and his manager, Terry Lawless threw in the towel when Magri beat the count.

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Europe’s number one Muay Thai Boxing Coach, Andre Zeitoun, who is of Maltese descent, has been back in Malta for a short working holiday – During this visit he held two training seminars in different Kick Boxing Clubs and also found time to work the corner of Scott Dixon’s boxing bout against Marc Smith.

Andre’s first practical session was (17 Sept) at Ying Yang Kick Boxing Club, in Fgura.

This club is run by Master Noel Mercieca.

After the presentations and exchange of club tee shirts, Andre started his presentation, introducing the concept of the Thai style to the eager Maltese athletes.

Andre was pleased to note that the club had many budding youngsters within its ranks and noted that this argues well for the future of the club.

At the end of the two hour session Noel thanked Andre for accepting his invitation and stressed the importance of cross training and the enrichment of the sport through exposure to different combat styles.

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Ying Yang Kickboxing Club is located on the small island of Malta in Europe and was founded by Master Noel Mercieca on the 17th November 1996. Master Mercieca is a 4th Dan in Kickboxing, 1st Dan in Tang Soo Doo, Brown Belt in Spirit Combat, European Champion and a runner up for a World Title. He serves with the Armed Forces of Malta and is also qualified as a gym instructor, a Military fitness Instructor and a sports masseur. Nowadays Ying Yang Club has over 100 members and is part of the largest kickboxing association, the WKN.

Master Noel Mercieca has been training his athletes with Ying Yang Kickboxing Club for the past 13 years and through these years many of his athletes have won numerous competitions and titles, both National and European.

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