Sorry the picture could'nt be any sharper but it is before we had the luxury of computers and digital cameras,this is taken from an old copy of Fighters magazine.As Sandy quite rightly said earlier Thai Boxers had trouble getting Thai rules fights in the early days and so fought under Kickboxing rules too with all kicks above the waist even though I remember a few throwing the odd knee or leg kick in for good measure!
This picture of Sandy and me was taken at Manchester's Rotters Nightclub around 1981 or 1982 and the show was put on by the late great Danny Connor,who promoted many of these shows in Manchester.Sandy was right if you were unlucky enough to be drawn against a Thai fighter you were in for a very hard time!,I always remember the smell of Thai oil as we entered the nightclub and thinking 'Oh my god the Thai boxers are here!'Still these were fun times and I saw some great fighters here such as Tony and Vernon Dore,Steve Taberner,Ronnie Green,Lance Lewis,Brian Seabright,Steve Babbs he was a kickboxing legend in those early days,Thai fighter Mark Hoyt he fought to a draw with my old instructor George Wellington,and many more.
One of the best shows I ever saw here at Rotters nightclub though was Wu Shu Kwan versus Thai Boxers under Thai rules there was a lot of pride at stake here as these Kung Fu fighters were very tough,but as the fights went on with each side having a few wins one man stood out in the final bout and that was Ronnie Green who put on a spectacular display and battered his opponent the atmosphere was electric!...Good times!!!!