Swift secures third victory

NINE-year-old Thai boxer Josh Swift made it three wins out of three in Birmingham last weekend.

The Maltby youngster fought on the Celtic Championship Challenge event in a five-round bout.

His coach Phil Glover told the Guardian how the junior fights differed from senior contests.

“Josh had to fight over five rounds duration just like they do in Thailand, but under safer conditions wearing safety gear and without any head contact,” he said.

“The Celtic Challenge features future up and coming stars and if they do well eventually they get to fight the Celtic champion and have the chance of winning a championship belt.”

Swift took on a fighter from the respected KO Gym in London, and after a couple of rounds had his opponent figured out.

Glover said: “Josh began landing some heavy kicks to the body and legs. His opponent Nadim was pretty strong but began to tire in the fourth, and in the final round Josh turned on the pressure forcing the referee to give the Londoner a standing eight count after taking some painful leg kicks.”

Swift was subsequently declared the winner with a unanimous decision from the judges. It should have been an even bigger night for Maltby Thai Boxing Club, but Swift’s team-mate Jade Kelemen was unable to find a willing opponent.

Former European kickboxing champion Glover maintains that the teenager is proving an intimidating prospect for her peers.

“I put out a message to all gyms up and down the country saying Jade would fight anybody her weight, but after two weeks no one came forward.”

“Jade had trained really hard for this show but because of the way she won her fights on the last Celtic Challenge, destroying a british champion in only three rounds, I think a lot of fighters are avoiding her because she is so strong and aggressive.”

“My main concern now is that Jade keeps training hard and has regular fights because she is definitely championship material, possibly a future world champion if she keeps it up.”

Swift is due to fight in Manchester on 29th October, and Kelemen on 30th October.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the Maltby Thai Boxing Club can contact Phil Glover on 07999 702676.

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