Dubai: Boxing and kickboxing fans were treated to a spectacular night's entertainment as Chi Garden at Al Nasr Leisureland's The Lodge played host to Fight Night last weekend.
A sellout crowd were held spellbound as the night's four boxing and six kickboxing fights produced gripping contests.
The star attraction of the night was the fight between Richie 'The Black Pearl' Commey and Australian, Ben 'Bullrider' Burridge.
Commey went into the fight as a big favourite and he did not let the crowd down. Most of the spectators rose to their feet to cheer on him against his Australian competitor for their five-round kickboxing clash.
Burridge fought well and hung on to the end, but was eventually beaten by Commey.
The World Kickboxing Federation (WKBF) sanctioned the event and their president Miss Lucy Tui who was the lead judge was extremely happy with the quality of the event.
With a mixture of boxing and kickboxing, some of which were international title belts, the quality of the entertainment and production was well received.
Titanic battle
Bout 6 produced a great battle between George "Thaitanium" Micouris from South Africa and Australia's Cheyne "Grizzly" Rees. But the crowed must have been shocked at the result which went in favour of Grizzly Rees.
It appeared that Micouris was well on his way to victory after knocking his opponent down and throwing some ferocious combinations of punches.
However, Cheyne fought back with some great kicks and under the rules, knees and kicks secure more points than punches.
Octavian Lehadus thrilled the crowd with a tremendously fought boxing bout against Haitham Akel from Palestine. Full credit to Haitham who came on as a replacement only 24 hours before the original opponent pulled out.
Despite having had little time to prepare Haitham put on a fabulous display before he lost on points to Octaivian after going the full distance.
The sellout crowd were amazed as Chi Garden was transformed into an amazing outdoor arena. Co-promoter Phil Wombwell said: "We never expected a sellout crowd in a million years for our first event, it's just unbelievable".
The crowd were ecstatic and provided an atmosphere that will be difficult to repeat. All of the 10 fights went the full distance, ensuring that the crowd had there money's worth.
"The first ever WKBF event in Dubai certainly raised the profile of martial arts and raised the standards as well", said Zack Taumafai, the co-promoter.
"Our aim is also to expose the talent and that can not be done without these type of events. The credit goes to the fighters, their trainers and the clubs that bring them through the ranks."
Ringside, the organisers of the event, are planning to stage another Fight Night in May. The date will be announced soon.
Results
Kickboxing
The Supermax Main Event Fight for the Pan Asian Title: Richie "Black Pearl" Commey 63kg (Ghana) beat Ben "Bullrider" Burridge 65kg (Australia) Fight for the UAE Inter -Club Belt
Nader "The Destroyer" Al Ahmer 74kg (Lebanon) beat Guillaume "The Assassin" Dominiak 75kg (France)
Fight for the Pan Asian Title Cheyne "Grizzly" Rees 63kg (Australia) beat George "Thaitanium" Micouris 63kg (South Africa)
Mehdi "Duracell" Ramezani 70kg (Iran) beat Amr "The Pharoah" Oraibi 69kg (Egypt)
Al Hassen "Ghanian Van Damm" Okane 69kg (Ghana) beat Sandro Capelle 72kg (Germany)
Boxing Kabani Abdumanem (Syria) beat Adrian Lehadus (Romania)
Isaac "Sinbad" Doku 75kg (Ghana) beat Dhia Jafar 72kg (Belize)
David "The Bear" Leitch 98kg (UK) beat Hamza Esawi 102kg (Palestine)
James "Peerless" Tasker 72kg (UK) beat Scott "The Pikey" Dunn 72kg (UK)
Octavian Lehadus 92kg (Romania) beat Haitham Akel (Palestinian)
