Successful Battle of Birr 3 kickboxing event featured 19 bouts

THE Battle of Birr 3 was another successful event for Birr k-1 kickboxing and Self Defence Club.

All the action unfolded on December 6^th at the iconic Marian Hall. With 19 match ups confirmed on the day, including the three different disciplines of kickboxing and 7 Muay Thai added to the card, it was a fantastic card for any combat sports fans.

To top it off they had two WKO national title fights on the line with Filipe Bang Bang Nunes defending his low kick light heavyweight Irish title and Ross Bull Buckley challenging for the middleweight k-1 title. Both fighters were representing Birr k-1 kickboxing and Self Defence Club.

All the top clubs had travelled from counties Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Carlow, Laois, Sligo, Limerick, Dublin, Tipperary and Offaly.

Weigh-ins were completed from 12 noon to 1pm and medicals were completed at 2pm and everyone was declared fit to fight. The action started at roughly 4.20pm.

The show opened up with four light contact kickboxing match ups. Birr k-1 had Willow Pardy, Ryan Kennedy, Odhran Kennedy and Ben Ginson contesting these match ups and gave their all in a thrilling display of kickboxing and entertained the crowd.

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Then two demonstration bouts were matched up on match week because of away opponents pulling out due to injuries etc etc. These involvied four of Birr's fighters Cormac Creamer, Alan Ginson, Sean Agbenisi and Scott Carey, who delivered a fine display of Demo kickboxing against one another.

Then they moved onto the 7 Muay Thai match ups. This was a first for Birr and the WKO Ireland to match Kickboxing and Muay Thai on the same show and what a massive success it was.

They had their interval and all the officials had teas, coffees and sandwiches all made by the Marian Hall shop, so a big shout out goes to Ann Finnane and the staff for taking care of the officials.

After the break they moved on to the Main Card and the final six fights of the night and did they deliver big time.

Fight 14 was Paddy Kelly (Birr-k1) against Janis Potyka (Sligo Mugendo). What a fight. It was back and forth from Round 1 to Round 3, which had Paddy landing powerful right hands and with Janis landing devastating leg kicks. This fight erupted the crowd into life. Both men were glad to see the final bell. Paddy lost a very close fight but delivered a performance that was impressive.

Fight 15 was Alex Hough (Birr k-1) vs Matvii Tsymbalenko (Fenix Birr).

Another excellent fight. Both of these young lads put in a performance that was amazing. Round 1 was very good but Alex showed his class and was wearing down his opponent with powerful combos. Round 2 was more of the same.

In Round 3 Alex upped it a gear and it was one way traffic. But huge credit goes to Matvii who never gave up. Alex won a unanimous decision victory.

The WKO were so impressed with the skill and timing of young Alex and toughness of Matvii displayed in the contest that they declared this the fight of the night. Both teenagers received fight of the night trophies.

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In Fight 16 Dean Brummell (Birr-k1) took on Paul Maloney (Dk1 Banagher).

Two of the best young men around both went for it in another great fight.

Dean used his footwork, sharp, crisp combinations and excellent kicking to control the distance and pace of the fight and won round 1 right through to Round 3. Paul was dangerous throughout the contest with his aggressive fighting style, but Dean proved just too good and won a unanimous decision victory.

The WKO declared Dean Brummell with the prestigious honour of Fighter of the Night and awarded him the magnificent trophy

Fight 17 saw Jack Kirwan (Birr-k1) face Niall McDermott (Sligo Mugendo)

Both of these men fought in October in Sligo and and Jack won a spilt decision. It was one of the fights of the night then and this time it was no different.

Niall was out for revenge and came with big punches early. Jack was smart and covered up well and was placing nicely timed combos together and landing some clean kicks to Niall's head and body. This was the difference in a war over three rounds.

Jack won a unanimous decision.

Jack's victory was so impressive that he has now been entered into a four man -75kg tournament in Strabane for the WKU belt next March and the winner receives £500.

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The Co-main event was the WKO Low Kick Light Heavyweight match up involving Filipe Nunes (Birr-k1) and Evan Finn (TopPro Carlow).

These are the best two young fighters in their respective weight classes.

Filipe is the first teenager from Birr to become an Irish kickboxing champion and was making a defence of his title.

This was another great fight and the action was non stop. The combos were flowing by both teenagers and the rounds were very competitive, but the champion was outworking his opponent and was not willing to lose his title in a packed Marian Hall. Filipe was definitely up a couple of rounds after the three were completed, but title fights are five rounds which is another two thirds of competition and requires hardwork and dedication in the gym and outside the gym.

Filipe found an extra gear in the championship rounds and showed why he's the champion.

After five rouns of Irish Title kickboxing Filipe had retained his strap with a unanimous decision victory.

The other Co-main event was the WKO k-1 Middleweight Irish Title Fight between Ross Buckley (Birr-k1) and Jake Walsh (Wolfhound Muay Thai Cork).

Drama unfolded before the fight when Oisin Biggane (Wolfhound) was struck down with an illness on Thursday night before the fight and was unable to to challenge for his Irish title.

Up stepped Jake was who was undefeated in Ireland all year and his only loss was at this WKO World Kickboxing Championships in England.

Jake was a worthy opponent with fire in his belly.

Jake came to fight Ross and was landing some big body kicks and leg kicks on Ross, but Ross was patient and waited for clean openings and eventually timed the perfect shot and dropped Jake with a well placed body kick in Round 3. The game Walsh made the count and survived the round.

Round 4 was a tentative affair with Jake feeling the power Ross possessed. Jake was moving well and was cornered by Ross and was KOd with well timed double hooks to the body and head punch to win the Irish k-1 kickboxing title.

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It was another serious display from the Birr K-1 kickboxing and self defence club.

The club has achieved seven WKO Irish full title fights in just over two years and has won the seven National Title fights, a record unequalled in the WKO.

A big shout out to the order of Malta on the night, to DJ Molly Kavanagh, all the WKO officials, Lorraine Hansbury and Sheree Morrissey.

Corner men and senior coaches on the night were Michael Hansbury and Conor O'Brien of Birr K-1 kickboxing.

Please support the local businesses who sponsored these fantastic spot prizes on the night: David Cullinane Victualler Birr - voucher €50; John Smyth Barber Birr - voucher; The Organic Shop Birr – vouchers; Mulrooneys Hamper Gala Birr – Hamper; Horan's Daybreak Birr – Hamper; Fayle's Hardware Store Birr; Fones Birr - JBL head phones; J & M Rowland Jewellers Birr – voucher;

Standun Birr – voucher; The Thatch Crinkle - €50 voucher; Birr Leisure Centre – voucher; Hoctor & Smyth Architecture Birr - cash prize €50; Kelly's CEO office Supplies Birr - printer €160.

A huge shout out to all the sponsors on the night, without their support the show wouldn't have happened' Eco Tec Insulation (x2 fights), Brendan Nolan, Marian Hall, Kellys Bar, Kennedy Motors Birr, Athenry Credit Union Birr Branch (×2 fights), Hassetts Topline Crinkle, Talbot Motors Factors; Jeffrey Pardy Blocklaying; The Thatch Crinkle; Harney Enterprises Tullamore; Hynes Brothers Masonry Contractors (x2 fights), both title fights.

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