Happy to be proven wrong - I think Mat, Rex and Richie make a good point about the transition from the top at national level to international. Another favorite trick which also has been a problem has been for some O/S promotors to overmatch and/or arrange last minute fights which don't often reflect the quality or experience level of the Kiwi guys who are asked to fight. Often the Kiwi fighter will take the fights because that is the nature of our guys - they love to fight and like to have a crack at so called bigger names.

Also read the article I wrote in Eye Magazine - a mainstream NZ Glossy magazine talking about the health of NZ Kickboxing, Promoting the sport talking about and how strong our fighters are. Although a bit OTT and arrogant in what I sad above, the point was also to be provocative and draw out some discussion on the state of the health of KB in NZ. At the end of the day who cares what Mike Angove says anyway (those who can't do it anymore, write about it) - it'll either be used as motivation or ignored completely.

I'd also like to say what a great job Mat has been doing with his writing he loves kickboxing and knows the game really well, & pretty much all of what he writes has been written for no reward. Also - Mat, Myself and Caitlain are now writing reports for Ax News so NZ fighters will now be exposed on the internet!!!

The one great thing that is occuring is the number of shows and promotors who are now putting on good quality shows throughout the country - which is a great platform for success and with the bigger crowd attendences will allow bigger sponsorship -etc which means more chance of international fights at home. A few years ago it seems to be that mianly Lollo and Sifu were the only fighter bringing in overseas guys - now this looks to be changing with new promotors (& old) putting on top international shows in Christchurch, Hamilton, Auckland, and Wellington. And local shows happening all over the country.

Sorry Sue I think I've hijacked your post.