Quartet of kickers start year in style

Maltby Thai Boxing Club have got their ‘season’ off and running, with four youngsters travelling to Oldham for the first fight night of 2013.
Maltby Thai Boxing Club's young starsMaltby Thai Boxing Club's young stars
Maltby Thai Boxing Club's young stars

Coach Phil Glover, himself a former British and European Champion, took the quartet of kids to Higginshaw Thai Boxing Gym for an ‘interclub’ show.

Although there are no official winners or losers in interclub bouts, Glover insists they mirror competitive fights in terms of preparation and experience.

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He said: “All those taking part go through the same gruelling training and suffer pre fight nerves just as in a real fight.”

“But more safety regulations are held in place to protect the youngsters in this very tough sport.”

Muay Thai, also known as the ‘science of eight limbs’ involves use of elbows, knees, kicks and punches and is the national sport of Thailand.

At the Oldham show, nine-year-old Ellie ‘Too Fast’ Murphy gave away 5kg in weight to her opponent.

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A proud Glover told the Guardian: “She’s already making a name for herself on You Tube due to her fast punching skills on the speed pads.”

“Even though her opponent was heavier, she still managed to fire away with her fast hands and feet, dominating the whole three rounds.”

And the youngster wasn’t done, taking on a second fight later in the evening and holding her own against a more experienced fighter.

Another nine-year-old, Lewis Moore, was involved in an exciting battle with a local lad.

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Glover said: “His opponent had more energy than a Duracell battery.”

“His opponent constantly pushed forward throughout the fight only to be met by Lewis’s awkward southpaw style and powerful left leg kicks which slowed him right down.”

“It was another great fight for us.”

Older brother of Ellie, 12-year-old Jordan Murphy took on a Newcastle fighter and they peppered each other non stop for three rounds, delighting the crowd.

The bout was Murphy’s first since returning to training from a broken ankle.

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Finally it was the turn of Lewis’s older brother 11-year-old Jack Moore, who was up against another Newcastle lad and a much more experienced fighter.

But an aggressive performance, strong kicks and knees saw him impress on the night.

Next on the cards for the Maltby gym is a charity sparring session in York in aid of the Special Baby Care Unit at York Hospital.

And Glover is predicting a busy year after that: “This was our first of many shows that we are attending this year and I’m already very pleased and proud of my fighters, they are all coming on in leaps and bounds and the feedback I am getting from the parents as well is tremendous.”

The instructor is now available for small groups and schools sessions, teaching Thai Boxing, Boxercise and Self Defence. For more details telephone 07999 702676.

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