Congratulations to Dave Eckersley and his team at Leigh Kickboxing.

They put together a fantastic show today, featuring amateur athletes from across the U.K. , with International competitors from Holland, Turkey, India, Poland and France.

A smooth running event, setting a UK precident for the amateur division ( maybe the Pro. division also ), with no fewer than ' 7 'Championship Title defences.

Roll on March 24th - and Pele Nathans Altrincham A.K.A. Kickboxing event....

Pics and results to follow:

Top of the billing...

Laura Arnold - A.K.A. Kickboxing World Champion
( Leigh Kickboxing, Dave Eckersley )
vs
Lisa Beeley - A.K.A. Kickboxing European Champion
( Altrincham - Beastmasters, Pele Nathan )

This was Laura's first defence of her World Title, which she made against the current A.K.A. European Champion, and highly regarded Beeley.

This was a close contest all the way.

Scorecards
Rnd 1 = Arnold 44, Beeeley 46
Rnd 2 = Arnold 103, Beeley 97
Rnd 3 = Arnold 166, Beeley 131.

Result T.K.O. ( Outclass - 20 points lead ),
Win Arnold.

Laura Arnold - ( Leigh Kickboxing, Dave Eckersley )
vs
Lisa Beeley - ( Altrincham - Beastmasters, Pele Nathan )

There was a changing of the guard at Heavyweight, when defending World Champion Matt Castle ( Altrincham - Pele Nathan ) was outpaced over the distance by Hollands Gerrard Van Dyke.

Although trailing in the middle rounds, Castle rallied in the final round - only losing by 4 points.

Scorecards :
Rnd 1 = Van Dyke 56, Castle 65
Rnd 2 = Van Dyke 101, Castle 99
Rnd 3 = Van Dyke 142, Castle 133
Rnd 4 = Van Dyke 177, Castle 173

Manchesters Lee Green, also made a voluntary defence of his A.K.A. Kickboxing World Welterweight Title.

Green, who won his last contest against a Turkish opponent, remained in top form, putting in a perfect performance against challenger - Leczyki, securing a first round win by T.K.O. ( Outclass ).

The super-sharp World Champions next amateur bout will be in Thailand in March.

( Good luck ).

British Champion, Tony Parker ( Leigh Kickboxing, Dave Eckersley ) had a terrible day in the office against Turkish Champion - Guven Zencir.

Zencir, (who is chasing a rematch with Englands A.K.A. Kickboxing World Middleweight Champion, Graham Sayer). showed his credentials with an impressive domination of the Brit from the moment the bell tolled.

Parker had no answer to the determination of the Turk, and was defeated in only one round by T.K.O. ( Outclass ).

The European Middleweight strap now travels back to Turkey.

A.K.A. Kickboxing - European Middleweight Title.

British Champion, Tony Parker
vs
Turkish Champion, Guven Zencir

A.K.A. Kickboxing - European Lightweight Title.

Robbie Newton - England
vs
Hakan Yildiz - Turkey,

What a superb contest this rematch was. Hakan previously stopped Newton when the pair met in Turkey ( December 2006 ).

Tonight, was Netwons time though, and although the contest was very close thoughout, it was Newton who initiated most of the attacks.

This leaves the score at one a piece between these two gladiators, and should these guys meet again it would be one to definately watch out for!!!

A win, by only 2 points, saw Newton crowned A.K.A. Kickboxing European Lightweight Champion!

Had two emails saying the pics are too big to view, so here they are again.

Fantastic night David and Neil well done,some cracking fights on afternoon and evening,well done to all the athletes taking part,win or loose they conducted theselves perfectly.On a personal note we at the fire cobra camp bishop auckland county durham were very pleased,winning 5 from 7 bouts and 3 titles including a european and a world as well as a national,hard luck to darren(trooper)langthorne who bust his toes in 2nd rnd when having a close bout with old rival ashley glenndenan,role on peles show in march.

Excellent day by all. Thanks to all involved in making it a great day.
Cant wait until Pele's show.

Thanks for the positive comments.
These events are always worth the work when the teams and competitors enjoy themselves.

Its great to see the growth of each individual base level novice through to intermediate and on to senior / championship level.

Many thanks also to the staff at the Lowton Civic who worked with us flawlessly.

Thanks for the positive comments.
These events are always worth the work when the teams and competitors enjoy themselves.

Its great to see the growth of each individual base level novice through to intermediate and on to senior / championship level.

Many thanks also to the staff at the Lowton Civic who worked with us flawlessly.

CHAMPIONSHIP - MAIN BOUTS
-------------------------

A.K.A. KICKBOXING - World Title : Defence
Heavyweight ( 91.1kg - Open Weight )
G. Van Dyke - 177
Matt Castle - 173

A.K.A. KICKBOXING - World Title : Defence
Welterweight ( 63.1 kgs - 70.0 kgs )
P. Leczycki - 07
Lee Green - 34

A.K.A. KICKBOXING - World Title : Defence
Featherweight ( 47.1 kgs - 56 kgs )
Laura Arnold - 166
Lisa Beeley - 131

A.K.A. KICKBOXING - European Title :
Lightweight ( 56.1 kgs - 63.0 kgs )
Hakan Yildiz - 120
Robert Newton - 122

A.K.A. KICKBOXING - European Title :
Middleweight ( 70.1 kgs - 77.0 Kgs )
Tony Parker - 09
Guven Zencir - 39

A.K.A. KICKBOXING - Commonwealth Title :
Middleweight ( 70.1 kgs - 77.0 kgs )
Darren Langthorne - 53
Ashley Glennon - 61

A.K.A. KICKBOXING - British Title : Defence
Welterweight ( 63.1 kgs - 70.0 kgs )
Alex Humpheries - 38
Warren Caulder - 71

A.K.A. KICKBOXING - British Title :
Light-Heavyweight ( 77.1 - 84.0 Kgs )
Paul Quayle - 121
Paul Roberts - 111

-----------------------------------------------------------
SUPPORT BOUTS
-------------

Middleweight ( 70.1kgs - 77.0 Kgs )
Paul Wood - 46
Sean Wilson - 20

Middleweight ( 70.1kgs - 77.0 Kgs )
Dom Morris - 47
Richard Callaghan - 36

Welterweight ( 63.1 kgs - 70.0 kgs )
Michael Coleman - 72
Nathan Wright - 70

Welterweight ( 63.1 kgs - 70.0 kgs )
David Silva - 36
Ben Dale - 64

Welterweight ( 63.1 kgs - 70.0 kgs )
Dan Reagan - 17
Ian Robinson - 59

CATCHWEIGHT CONTEST
James Mathewson - 67
Phil Cougan - 63

Lightweight ( 56.1 kgs - 63.0 kgs )
Jasbiar Singh - 08
Aaeron Kingsley - 44

Featherweight ( 47.1 kgs - 56.0 kgs )
Mandy Stainthorpe - 102
Tracey Richards - 81

Middleweight ( 70.1kgs - 77.0 Kgs )
Martin Fearnley - 80
Justin Hassal - 65

Lightweight ( 56.1 kgs - 63.0 kgs )
Dale Turton - 59
T,J, Bowden - 78

Heavyweight ( 91.1kg - Open Weight )
Stuart Winstanley - 45
Paul Sandal - 19

Cruiserweight ( 84.1 kg - 91.0 kgs )
Alan Pendlebury - 48
Ross Ridpath - 68

Cruiserweight ( 84.1 kg - 91.0 kgs )
Ben Holguin - 87
Andy Gibbard - 72

Cruiserweight ( 84.1 kg - 91.0 kgs )
Will Crandle - 13
Carlos Dait - 47

Light-Heavyweight ( 77.1 - 84.0 Kgs )
Gary Ball - 106
Brad Jackson - 86

Light-Heavyweight ( 77.1 - 84.0 Kgs )
Paul McCabe - 67
Gavin Jackson - 61

Middleweight ( 70.1kgs - 77.0 Kgs )
Ian Robinson - 10
Dave McQuillan - 23

Middleweight ( 70.1kgs - 77.0 Kgs )
Andy Nichols - 57
Peter Coke - 27

Middleweight ( 70.1kgs - 77.0 Kgs )
Sam Pennington - 28
Paul Harris - 49

Middleweight ( 70.1kgs - 77.0 Kgs )
Daniel Moores - 28
Anthony Burgin - 49

Welterweight ( 63.1 kgs - 70.0 kgs )
Dean Hamilton - 39
Ben Dawson - 14

Middleweight ( 70.1kgs - 77.0 Kgs )
Andrew Welbourne - 57
Jeff Croft - 78

Welterweight ( 63.1 kgs - 70.0 kgs )
Kyle Walker - 70
Michael Ford - 85

Welterweight ( 63.1 kgs - 70.0 kgs )
Mark Platts - 60
Glenn Russell - 43

Middleweight ( 70.1kgs - Open Weight )
Emma Slater - 43
Catherine Stroud - 72

Lightweight ( 56.1 kgs - 63.0 kgs )
Stephen Jefferson - 49
Andrew Dale - 79

Middleweight ( 70.1kgs - Open Weight )
Emma Slater - 49
Catherine Stroud - 79

CATCHWEIGHT CONTEST
Alex Maunder - 48
Janet Hartley - 68

Welterweight ( 63.1 kgs - 70.0 kgs )
Katia Berty - 26
Kerry Watts - 69

Featherweight ( 47.1 kgs - 56 kgs )
Elly Long - 30
Lea Bennet - 42

CATCHWEIGHT CONTEST
Kirsty Hudson - 42
Sophie McCoy - 17

Middleweight ( 70.1kgs - Open Weight )
Claire Baldwin - 101
Catherine Stroud - 91

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Final monies have not yet been collected, but it is estimated that this event raised over £ 1'000.00 for Wigan Childrens Ward.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Full report now available at

http://www.aka-kickboxing.com

Nice one Neil and Dave.

A good start to the year. The belts look class, the venue was very nice and everyone worked hard. A shame that a load pulled out at the last minute, undoing some of Neils hard work pre-arranging the contests.

I won't be at Pele's show as my left foot is a wreck, courtesy of Ashleys bony elbow ( congrats on the Commonwealth belt by the way Ash ), so I'll be concentrating on the following show in May. Maybe the promised rematch between me Graham and me could be sorted for then.....???

Ps. Dave, you joked about fitting a stairlift for me, but I could have done with it to get out of the ring ( he, he, he ).

Cheers everyone.

Darren 'troopa' Langthorne

Yeah - big well done from all of us in Darlo !

5 fights - 5 wins for my guys - great start to the year...just goes to show what a solid-building block these events can be for experience etc !!!

Looking forward to the next one - even though weve set a high standard to follow !!

There has been so much positive feed back from the event. Everyone is already offering entries to Pele's A.K.A. show on the 24th March.

Looks like this will be a top one too!

I have some more pics arriving tomorrow. I will upload a few then.

Get well soon Troopa!

Congratulations Dave and his team on the success of the show.

A great day all round and a good start to the year.

Looking forward to forth coming circuit of events.

Well Darren, the stannah company have promised sponsorship if your interested!!
Alternatively i have sanatogen lined up(Im not in talks with viagra yet!!!)

Seriously though, thanks for all the instructors and their students for the support. With the skill levels accellerating so rapidly in the AKA and the pool of talent constantly growing,it is no wonder the AKA players are achieving such high standards!

More pics to follow soon when i can re size mine.

sophie mcCoy - leigh

Dave

If I get sponsored by vaigra will that make my kicks HARDER ( he,he )?

Troopa

Lol!

It will definitely get them up thats for sure!

But will they stay up..?

Dale turton - v - TJ Bowden.

Another stormer from these 2 young men, Will we see a 3rd encounter..........

I think so!

TJ won this one and graciously said he would happily give Dale the same rematch offer as he had recieved after their first encounter.

Good spirit and sportsmanship.

Dale turton - v - TJ Bowden.

Another stormer from these 2 young men, Will we see a 3rd encounter..........

I think so!

TJ won this one and graciously said he would happily give Dale the same rematch offer as he had recieved after their first encounter.

Good spirit and sportsmanship.

Pretty good clicks there buddy!

Janet hartley - leigh dragons, clinches another victory!

World Champion Laura Arnold, Leigh dragons - v - Lisa Beeley , Peles gym

World champion Laura Arnold - v - Lisa Beeley, Peles gym

Champion Martin Furnley(leigh dragons) -v- Justin Hassall (peles gym)

Phil coogan (leigh dragons)

Did any of you guys get anything in the local papers?

Alex Humpheries, (Bolton) , was unlucky in his defence of the A.K.A. Kickboxing British Welterweight title belt.

Not to take anything away from the challenger, Caulder was very deserving of the win.

Winning titles is one thing. But actually defending them, is what makes a champion. Full credit to Alex and his trainer Sean Fogg. I am sure that Alex will bounce back from this.

Photo : Humpheries with the new British and Commonwealth Champion.

Action from Paul Quayle ( Warrington Kickboxing ) vs Paul Roberts ( York ).

Action from Paul Quayle ( Warrington Kickboxing ) vs Paul Roberts ( York ).

British Light-Heavyweight Champion Paul Quayle ( Warrington Kickboxing ) with challenger Paul Roberts ( York ).

Manchesters Ashley Glennon rematched Darren 'Troopa' Langthorne for the Commonwealth Middleweight Title.

This time is was Glennons hand that was raised. A rubber match, to settle the decider at some time in the future would be one not to miss!

Pict : Lee Green ( Trainer ) with Glennon.

Hi Dave,

Do you have any other pictures of me versus Phil Coogan. That picture is excellent!!

Thanks again for hosting an excellent show! And pass my regards onto Phil!!

James

James, that pic maybe used for a future poster, keep your eyes peeled!

Excellent, That would make me very proud indeed. :-)

I have a collection of pics that have just come through, check these out!

This was the Ladies World Title defence, by Laura Arnold ( Black ), against Lisa Beeley ( Blue ).

This head-kick from Beeley, would have taken most people out!

As this was one of the bouts that was top of the bill, the hall was most full for this contest and the atmosphere - electric!

Green defending his title against Leczyki.

That head shot from beely is awesome!!

Hi james, I will check to see what other pics i have for you.

I too thought -"OH POO" when lisa landed that high kick - but laura has taken a similar one, although not as hard, from the Turkish number 1 at the seni.

Nothing seems to wobble her - guess shes just a blonde eh!

Cracking pics btw neil, and a great newspaper write up!

I have just checked out the 1st master copy with all of the editing etc.... ( hopefully they will start running them off early next week )

On the DVD you see that Lisa's head-kick is one hell of a shot!

Full credit to Laura too, they both had a row in there.

Thanks Dave.

You can email them to jmatthewson@gmail.com

Excellent about dvd...cant wait for it.

There is some cracking fights i want to see again!