koshy, this was the write up in INTERNATIONAL KICKBOXER

First up into the ring was tough malvern martial arts fighter and former amatuer world muay thai champion "iron" mike cope. An unassuming fighter, cope gained many skills as a bare nuckle, full contact karate champion in NZ. Once he steps into the ring it becomes clear that his unassuming demeanour hides a very fit, talented and dangerous muaythai fighter. It was a big call for anybody, but taking up the challenge stood an equally "iron" micheal zambidis. Having destroyed every person who stepped into the ring to kickbox him, the big question hanging over zambidis's head was how would the diminutive world champ stand under K-1 rules? an incredibly popular fighter comming out of athens greece, zambidis is without a doubt pound for pound one of the hardest hitting kickboxers in the world. The crowd held their breath as the first bell rang, the two fighters exchanged some tentative blows in the opening seconds. Zambidis suddenly unloaded a left hook, right hook, left hook left body rip, right thigh kick combination in blinding succession. people at the far end of the crown casino showroom could here the impact of the blows as mike cope gained th clinch and fired off some piercing knees to zambidis ribs. They stalked each other around the ring, cope clinching again and turning the shorter zambidis around to set up for further knee strikes. Maintaining his balance zambidis let rip two short left hooks from the clinch. It took a few seconds, but after a few wobbly steps mike cope was forced to sit down and clear his head. back on his feet cope received a standing 8 count from ref dave hegecock. the crowd were on their feet as zambidis leapt in to take advantage but cope skillfully avoided being taken out. As zambidis closed the range mike cope covered and clinched, ripping zambidis's head down into a vicious knee to the face. It was perfect timing for the for the lethal thai technique. Blood splatted over mike copes brute force shorts as zambidis tried to sheild a succession of knees. As cope kneed zambidis clear of the clinch the greek warrior signalled to the ref and went down on one knee. Blood was streaming freely from his right eyebrow and began to pool on the canvas. the brutal cut later required 25 stitches to suture. certainly no fluke, an elated mike cope proved why his muaythai skills are considered so dangerous as he clamied the scalp of a renowned world champion and progressed to the second round. A true warrior, expect to see zambidis in the ring as soon as he makes a recovery.