Event: Goldenbelt Show 14th November 2009
Venue: British Legion Honiton, Devon

This show was really important to both myself and the club as well as the actual guys fighting. It was the first show that we had put fighters out on for a long time and represented the beginning of a new chapter for us all. This was where we would see if the training worked and whether we were moving in the right direction.
Well… 3 fighters and 3 wins!!!! I was so, so proud of all 3 fighters who had trained very hard and had been such good students always asking questions and always wanting to learn in the lessons.

Brendan Duffy v Jake Hartley ( Touchgloves gym ) 5 x 1.5 mins novice rules 72kg

First up was Brendan and his opponent was from the respected Touchgloves in Cornwall, home of world champion Julie Kitchen, so it was always going to be a tough assignment.
Both fighters began at a fast pace and traded heavy shots but Brendan looked the stronger in the clinch. Brendan’s greatest strength is his ability to flow through the ranges and he showed this in the fight, though Jake was well schooled and gave as good as he got. This continued for all 5 rounds with Brendan perhaps edging the striking but definitely having the upper hand in the clinch and therefore took the fight on unanimous points decision. A hard fought fight from both fighters and well done Brendan!!

Troy Reid v Dylon Tonkin ( Sit-Simingdam, Devon ) 5 x 1.5 mins novice rules 82kg

Next up was Troy and he entered the ring to yet more cheering from our traveling fans! From the off Troy used his height advantage to great effect causing his opponent a whole manner of problems. He was boxing well and in the clinch really laying in some heavy knees causing Dylon to take an 8 count. His blood was up and he sensed a knockout on the cards so come the 2nd round he went up another gear and again set about Dylon with heavy hands and more devastating knees. This was too much for Dylon, who fought bravely, and the referee called time on the fight with Troy recording his first of hopefully many stoppages.

Lance Jones v Kier Richens ( Sit-Simingdam, Devon ) 5 x 1.5 mins novice rules 80kg

So, last but no means least was Lance and he was raring to go having had to fight the pre match nerves for so long!! His opponent was another local boy and his support was very vocal so the atmosphere was great. Kier came out looking for that knockout shot but I told Lance to relax, stick to his plan and cover up. Not landing the single shots meant Lance was able to put together some nice combos and score highly. He connected well with roundhouses and controlled the clinch so I knew he was ahead on points. As the fight wore on Kier never let up and kept trying for that big shot but Lance showed great maturity by not allowing himself to get dragged into a war and just kept smashing shots in and scoring well. The decision was tense as you never know how things will go but the judging was spot on and Lance was awarded the victory.

All in a great day and many thanks to Sonny Perez for giving us the chance to fight.

Kru Matt Scott,
Portsmouth Muay Thai Boxing.