£1,000.00 K-65 KICKBOXING GRANDPRIX 2 APRIL 2000

This ring report was originally published on the Warrington Kickboxing Studio Site. Many thanks to Neil for letting us publish it here.

On the 2nd April 2000 Neil Holden staged his second 'K-65' Kickboxing Grandprix.

'K' means Kilo's, '-' means less than, and '65' is the weight limit. Therefore 'K-65'.

Based on the very successful Japanese Kickboxing format, a Grandprix is where eight Kickboxers (in this tournament at any weight below 65 Kilo's), fight in elimination contest over three stages in one night. The fighters initially compete in a quarter final, with the four winners progressing onto fight in semi-final, and those winners onto the final. The prize money for the eventual Grandprix Champion is a staggering £ 1'000. 00 for the winner. A purse many fighters at this weight do not even receive when fighting abroad in World Title bouts.

The MC. 'Evil Lee' opened the Tournament by introducing to the audience the eight fighters who had taken up the Grandprix Challenge. Upon opening four, the MC made the announcement of which fighters would be matched together, and in which group.

BOUT 1. QUARTER FINALS. ( 1.)

David Parkinson -Euro Champion (M.Chana /Preston), VS Lee Cox - British Champion (Craig Macmillan/Blackburn)

Rnd 1 : Entering to Cheering supporters, many in the audience wondered if Cox would be too strong for Parkinson, especially with him coming down from Light-Middleweight. Cox immediately set to work with his damaging Leg Kick. Parkinson replied with a good combination of Body Kick, Low Kick then a High Kick. Both fighters continued to kick on the outside. Then Parkinson bombed a right hand into Cox as he moved into close to clinch.

Here both fighters exchanged several Knees, before Cox broke with an Uppercut, narrowly missing its target. Cox was doing very well, but Parkinson was the busier, throwing three techniques to Cox's two. As the 1st round ended Parkinson finished the round with a High Kick.
Rnd 2 : Cox, again started with his kicks. Parkinson let the Right Hand fire off, followed immediately with a Jump Knee to the head. Cox began circling his opponent, making good use of the Front kick. As Cox landed a Low Kick, Parkinson caught the kick and again connected with a Right Hand, sending Cox to the canvas. Upon standing, Cox went into the Clinch and both fighters exchanged several Knees. Cox finished this by sweeping Parkinson to the ground. The crowd cheered their delight as both obviously had a large following. Parkinson, soon to his feet went at Cox hard, throwing a strong Round Kick just as the bell tolled.

Rnd 3 : Cox, now knowing he was behind, came out bombing, using his fists for the first time in the contest. Parkinson Low Kicked, then waved his opponent on. As Cox unleashed a Front Kick, Parkinson caught the leg, and his opponent crashing into the ropes with a Right Punch. Cox attempted to move into boxing range, but was held at by two Front Kicks. Parkinson was growing in confidence and attempted a Flying Punch. This missed, and left him off balance. Cox now rapped a High Kick across the high guard of Parkinson, who finished the round with left and right high kicks of his own. Parkinson was declared the Winner.




BOUT 2. QUARTER FINALS. ( 2.)

Mark Gusso - English Champion ( N.Holden /Warrington) VS Louis Norton Amateur Champion (K.Lloyd/Middleton).

Rnd 1 : Norton was the heavier of these two fighters, and with it had more power in his kicks. However, Gusso capitalised on his speed and set to work scoring with fast Low Kicks to Norton's southpaw stance right lead leg. Single shots at the start of the round by both fighters, then Gusso started to put together good combination work. 1-2 punch, R.Low Kick, L Front Kick all connecting. Gusso again fired more combinations, each replied to by a single and very powerful Round Kick by Norton. Each heavy strike by Norton was as damaging as a four shot combination by Gusso as was the difference in strength.

Rnd 2 : Norton now came out with combination work of his own, and immediately gave Gusso problems. Gusso now went on the run. Circling on the outside and scoring with stinging Leg Kicks. Norton clinched his opponent, driving in the Knee to the body and head, before slipping to the floor. Norton pushed forward, narrowly missing with a Front Kick to the face! This he followed with a combination, pinning Gusso in the corner. As he tried to circle out of the corner, Norton threw a perfect High Round kick, connecting and winning the fight by a spectacular K.O.!

BOUT 3. QUARTER FINALS. ( 3.)

Mark Matthews - Northwest Champion ( N.Holden /Warrington ) VS Tony Basnett - European Champion ( A. Bimpson/Liverpool).

Matthews, although a finalist in the last Tournament, was going into this contest with just 8 fights to his record. However although he was matched against the more experienced Basnett, (who had just won the WKA European Thai-Boxing Title), the crowd knew this was going to be explosive, because in those eight contest Matthews had beaten some of the best of British, (Kieren Keddle, Warren Brown, Morris Reilly.)

Rnd 1: Basnett started with a fast combination, but Matthews blocked every shot. The fighters squared off in the centre of the ring. Matthews fired a R.Body Kick, then three R.Low kicks. Basnett came forward with a Boxing combination, as he started to connect, Matthews put him down with a deep Leg Kick. Basnett immediately charged back with a Running Low Kick. Matthews blocked on his shin and grabbed Basnett with his clinch and fired off several Side Knees to the body. Basnett Low Kicked, Matthews Blocked and the crowd cheered as they heard the shins connect, ( no Thai-ritual music is played during tournaments ). Basnetts hands were lightening fast. 1-2 Punch, L hook, but all only hit Matthews's high & tight guard. Mathews replied with a Left Body Kick, R.Low Kick. Basnett clearly had the faster hands of the two, but Matthews Kick were more accurate. Basnett missed with a R stepping punch, which left him off balance. Matthews slipped to the side and scored with a R.Knee. He then narrowly missed with a right hand as the two dropped into the clinch and exchanged several knees.

Rnd 2: Matthews leant back and scored with a R. Leg Kick, as Basnett combination 1-2, L.Hook all slammed against the tight guard of Matthews. However Basnett ends this combination with a fast R.Uppercut, that scored as it tipped Matthews's head back. Matthews faked, than cleanly landed a hard R.Body Kick to Basnett's ribs, following that he immediately grabbed Basnett and drove in the R.Knee, only to receive a Side Knee in return.. Still in the clinch, Matthews threw a Side Knee to the head of Basnett and the crowd erupted! Basnett tried to box his way out of the clinch with some body punches, only to receive another Side Knee to the head, swiftly followed by another! The two fighters wrestled with each other as Basnett tried to break the clinch. Matthews put in another Side Knee to the head, which was taken on Basnetts gloves as he now had his hands high. Matthews switched his attack lower and lifted Basnett twice with Side Knees to the body. Basnett, still boxing, put together a R.Uppercut - L.Hook, but Matthews grip was strong as he continued to score with his knee. Basnett switched tactics and started to return Matthews Knees with his own as the bell sounded.

Rnd 3 : Basnett's R.High Kick was taken on the arms of Matthews, who returned with a Shin Kick to Basnett's ribs. Two long front kicks from Matthews, then both fighters threw R.Low kick. As their shins clashed hard, neither fighter showed a sign of any pain such was the intense concentration of the two warriors. Basnett tipped back Matthews's Head, again with a fast R.Uppercut. Matthews, now marching forward, parried Basnett's Front Kick, then scored with a R.Low Kick. He then let his right hand go, but Basnetts defence was tight and the shot was deflected on the arms. Basnett attempted to power through Matthews with a Running Low Kick. Matthews blocked the shot on his shin and marched forward. Hurting Basnett with a front snap kick to the body. As Basnett went back against the ropes he fired his hands again. The last shot of his combination, the R.upper cut scoring again. Matthews reply was a R.Uppercut of his own, followed by a bomb of a R.Hook but this did not penetrate Basnetts defence. Basnett looking for space backed away into the corner. As Matthews came in Basnett scored with a L.Body kick. He kicked again, but Matthews was quick and scored by dropping him to the canvas with a deep Leg Kick. This fight was very, very close! Shot for shot by either fighter. Hands from Basnett, Matthews covered, then clinched and Kneed. As the two came off the ropes, Matthews lost his footing and slipped to the floor. His opponent back to his feet, Basnett rushed in with a powerful running low kick, but it was blocked on Matthews's shin as the bell rang.

The Decision is ...........A DRAW. One more round is ordered by the Referee.

Rnd 4 : Matthews scored with a Low Kick, then blocked a Body Kick. Both fighters clinched. When the fighters broke Basnett made Matthews miss with a Kick and charged forward delivering a Punching combination. Matthews covered from the shots in his tight high guard, then grabbed. The referee called break just as Matthews kneed Basnetts shoulder. As the referee called to box on, Matthews put his hand out to Basnett in a show of sportsman ship, to which Basnett immediately threw a Right High Kick. Matthews luckily blocked the shot, but his facial expression immediately changed from sportsmanship to an ice-cold stare. Matthews threw the R.Hand at Basnett, who ducked under the shot. At this Matthews grabbed Basnett and delivered a Jump Knee to the head. Knees to the body were exchanged. Back on the outside, Basnett scored with a Jab, then Matthews scored with a R.Uppercut. Basnett now grabbed Matthews and scored with a Knee, only to immediately receive one back. As they separated Matthews scored with a Front Kick, and Basnett with an Uppercut. Matthews punched, Basnett ducked only to be grabbed. Matthews set to work with his legs putting in five Knees as the bell tolled.

The Decision is ...........A DRAW. And again, another round is ordered by the Referee.

Rnd 5 : Basnett started fast with 5 shots. But although he was putting in the work, all were blocked. Matthews missed with a Front Kick but followed up with a R.Punch - Clinch combination. As he drove in 8 Knees, Basnett tried to punch his way out with body shots. The referee broke the fighters, but Matthews immediately stormed forward to grab Basnett again, in the process Basnett scored with a fast R.Uppercut as Matthews put the clinch on him. Matthews drove in three hard Knees, As he let go Basnett threw a Right High kick, which was taken on Matthews's Arms. The crowd was screaming. Basnett attempted to Box, but was again clinched. The referee called break as the two fighters wrestled to get a better grip of one another. Back on the outside, Basnett backed away whilst Boxing. Matthews caught Basnetts Front Kick, immediately folding his opponent with a devastating R.Round Knee to the ribs. Basnett fell back into his own corner clearly hurt. Matthews stepped it up a gear as he applied more pressure. Throwing the right hand, making Basnett duck low, Matthews grabbed his opponent and Kneed him to the head, sending him rocking against the ropes. Matthews then lifted Basnett with a R.Uppercut. Basnett tried to push Matthews back with a Front Kick, 1-2 Punch combination. Matthews covered, then connected again with R.Straight Punch. He then gripped Basnett, delivering a Left Knee to the head. Both fighters exchanged Knees to the body, but Matthews finished with a left, then right knee to the head as the bell rang.

The Decision. A Win to Matthews, who after a five rounds of War, finally progresses to the Semi-Finals




BOUT 4. QUARTER FINALS.(4.)

John Robertson - ( S.Reilly/Horwich ) VS Morris Reilly - World Champion ( P.Nathan/Manchester).

Rnd 1 : Robertson started the fight very well, scoring immediately with a R.Leg Kick, swiftly followed by a R.High Kick. Reilly though unimpressed, confidently stalked his opponent. Robertson fired off a Double Jab - Low kick combination. Reilly delivered a R.Body Kick, sending Robertson spinning around. Robertson came back with Boxing only to take a solid Low Kick. Digging deep, Robertson connected with a R.Body Hook then a Front Kick. Reilly sent a R.Punch crashing through Robertson's guard, followed by a leg kick putting Robertson to the canvas. Reilly now went into clinch, driving in the Knee. Back on the outside as the fighters squared up again, Reilly put Robertson down again, this time with a Flying Punch, and he did not beat the count. Reilly was through to the Semi-Finals after very little work, by way of a 1st round a K.O!

BOUT 5. SEMI FINALS ( 1 ).

David Parkinson - European Champion ( M.Chana/Preston ) VS Louis Norton - Amateur Champion ( K.Lloyd/Middleton).

Rnd 1. : Norton's southpaw stance immediately gave Parkinson some problems, as Norton's back leg - Left high Kick connected. Parkinson started to utilise his very long Front Push Kick, forcing Norton onto the back foot. The action started slower than the 1st round Quarter-Finals as both fighters were obviously very sore trying to hide any injuries. As both fighters moved into the clinch Norton scored with three Jump Side Knees to the head. Parkinson was directing all his Knee strikes to the body, firing two knees to Norton's one.

Rnd 2. : Now warmed up, with the adrelin starting to flow, (which helps take away pain from any injuries), Parkinson came out fast. Body kick, Boxing, Clinch then the Knee, clearly out working his opponent. Norton connected with a good L.Punch, but Parkinson continued on relentlessly. Again Parkinson scored. L.Uppercut-R-Punch, L.Knee, as Norton attempted to tie up his opponent. Now inside, Parkinson did the most work.. As they separated, 1-2 Punch, R.High Kick from Parkinson. This was replied with a L.High Kick, L.Punch from Norton and the crowd cheered at every strike.

Rnd 3 : Both fighters started hard and fast, as they were now very warmed up, adrenaline flowing. Parkinson working his hands then a Round Kick. Norton Round Kicks Parkinson, who Round Kicks Norton, who Round Kick Parkinson, Who Round Kicks Norton! Kick after Kick after Kick. This was a war and the crowds were screaming their delight. 13 Kicks were thrown in total in this exchange! A short time in the clinch, then they separated. Again, they started to Kick each other. Kick for Kick, for Kick! Parkinson switched to hands, as did Norton, but neither could clearly connect. Now towards the end of the round the pace slowed, and Parkinson took the round with his last few knee strikes. Winner Parkinson, he would now progress to the £ 1'000.00 final.


BOUT 6. SEMI FINALS ( 2 ).

Mark Matthews - Northwest Champion ( N.Holden/Warrington ) VS M.Reilly - World Champion ( P.Nathan - Sale ).

Reilly, ever so cool, entered the ring to a song about having no fear of his opponent, and he certainly did not. He was fresh and knew Matthews had just had a 5 round War. But more than that, he was looking forward to his chance of revenge, after his defeat to Matthews in their last encounter.

Rnd 1. : Matthews started very slow, working with Inside Leg Kicks. Reilly let his hands fire. As Matthews covered and tucked low, Reilly narrowly missed with a Knee to the face. As they clinched, Reilly turned Matthews and scored with a good Knee to the body. Reilly went all out for the K.O. Jab, Bomb-R.Hook, R.Knee, Bomb-R.Hook. Matthews scored with a L-Body Kick as Reilly circled around and finished the exchange with a High Kick to Matthews Guard. Matthews Jabbed as he walked forward, then scored with a hard Low Kick, almost sending Reilly to the floor. Reilly, in retreat, scored with a ramrod of a Jab, and jolted Matthews's head backwards. Matthews was trying to use his hands against Reilly, but Reilly was the fresher, thus faster of the two. A Combination 1-2 R.Low kick from Reilly was blocked, and Matthews scored with a R.Low kick. Reilly, head hunting the K.O., delivered a seven-punch combination, all taken on Matthews's guard. Matthews, trying to close the distance between the fighters from boxing range to clinchwork, again had his head jolted backwards by the lightening fast Reilly. The fighters exchanged Spear-Sharp Front Snap Kicks as the round ended.

Rnd 2. : Both fighters started with Boxing, but neither could connect. Matthews backed away as he circled, making distance between the fighters, then suddenly charged forward and connected with a Running Punch. Matthews's supporters cheered their approval, but Reilly was undeterred and landed a good Leg Kick. Matthews threw a R.High Kick, R.Punch, but Reilly's defence was 100%. Two Jabs from Matthews, then Stiff Jabs from Reilly. The two fighters clinched, but Matthews was reluctant to knee. Upon breaking the fighters boxed each other on the outside. Reilly defended from Matthews's Punches, ducking low. Matthews threw the Long Knee to his face and only narrowly missed. Matthews Front Kicked, then Jabbed. Reilly did the exact same. Matthews clinched Reilly again, and for the first time in the fight began his trade mark Holding-Knee strikes. As they broke Matthews just missed with a Left High Kick to Reilly's head.

Rnd 3 : Matthews was now in need of a K.O. going into round three ( his actual 8th of the tournament ). Reilly knew his opponent would come hard and immediately landed the 1-2 Punch. Matthews backed Reilly up with a Front Kick, but missed with the R-Hand. As he kicked again, Reilly caught the leg and threw Matthews to the floor. Matthews charged forward again finally getting a grip of his elusive opponent, and began to drive in his Knees. Reilly replied with knees of his own, but Matthews put in three knees to each one of Reilly's. They separated, and Matthews moved forward again. As Reilly crouched low, Matthews Long Kneed then gripped Reilly again. Several knees from Matthews before they broke. Matthews missed with a front kick, and was punished with a R.Hook. As he pushed forward, again looking to clinch, he was kept at bay by a barrage of bombs from Reilly. Matthews had dug in deep and showed great courage, but his late rally was not quite enough and Reilly was through to the final!

BOUT 7 : GRAND PRIX FINAL - £ 1'000.00 Winners prize money!

David Parkinson - European Champ. ( M.Chana/Preston ) VS Morris Reilly World Champ. ( P.Nathan/Sale ).

Rnd 1: The final started very, very slowly. Unfortunately some people in the crowd showed their disapproval after the non-stop action of the earlier bouts. Many supporters though who had attended last years tournament were patient, realising that these two warriors were now extremely sore and tired from their battles, and would take time to build up the adrelenin levels which allow a fighter to push through the pain barrier. Very little action, with neither fighter willing to commit their bare shins or knees to heavy strikes, in case they impacted on their opponents Thai-Style Defence of bone against bone. Glove work from both fighters, which cancelled out each other's work and no fighter gained the advantage.

Rnd 2: The first half of this round continued like round one. But the excitement in the atmosphere began to elevate as the finish line came into site and finally some kicking was brought into play.

Rnd 3 : Whoever would win this round, would win the tournament. The slow pace, suddenly exploded into a sprint for the finish line that was now within sight! Good Kicks from Parkinson were replied to with powerful, long Straight Punches from Reilly. Parkinson threw a Flying Knee. Reilly jolted back Parkinson's Head with the Ramrod Jab that had won him the semi-final. Parkinson caught Reilly's Front Kick, and landed the Right hand. Parkinson attempted to Kick Reilly in the face with a Front Kick and only just missed. Reilly floored Parkinson with a Bomb of a Right hand. Parkinson, climbed to his feet and delivered a combination, 1-2 Punch L.Knee, all to the head of Reilly. Reilly backed away, and Parkinson followed, walking straight onto a Solid Jab. Reilly, quick to follow up, rocked Parkinson on the ropes with an onslaught of punches. Parkinson was in trouble, but was saved by the bell, and Reilly immediately raised his hands, clearly pleased with his achievement! Reilly ( The lightest man of the tournament ) was declared then 2nd K-65 Kickboxing Grandprix Champion and was rewarded for his work with a cheque for £ 1'000.00!

Neil Holden will be promoting another K-65 Grandprix at the end of 2000, and is currently looking for Thai/Kickboxing Champions from any organisation that can compete at or below this weight.

To contact him for details, or if you would like a copy of the video of this Charity promotion then contact him at Warrington Kickboxing Studio, 01925-63-66-69 or fill in a fighter application form on his web site.