Christmas Recap 12.2.08

12.2.08

Christmas Recap

Due to technical difficulties I haven't been able to update the weboste for a while so I just though I would throw together a quick summary of the last couple of months!
It all started back in December when Dirty Danny Derdowski, Brodie Smith and Lucy Caffin all ventured to Melbourne to fight on the Prosecution 4 show.
With a huge entourage of Queenslanders in tow making for some very vocal supporters!
Lucy was up first, and took on Sityodtong's Sylvia. After a debate after the girls got in to the ring about whether they had to wear shin pads, the combat commission finally enforced the rule and it was a mad rush to get the girls ready. Lucy started strong with some strong knees and slick combination work, however she couldn't keep it up against the awkward Sylivia.
Brodie Smith took on local favourite Andy "Hollywood" Colgrave. It was a see sawing battle for the first 4 rounds, with Brodie perhaps having a slight edge landing the cleaning strikes of most of the exchanges.
The fifth round began and Brodie stepped it up a notch, landing a sweet hook whihch dropped Andy and just missing with the good night irene kne on the way down! The knock down fired Andy up no end and he came out swinging eventually cutting Brodie with a upper cut elbow. The Doctor had a look and let the fight continue as the was only 20 seconds remaining and the cut was on the nose an not impairing vision.
Then with 10 seconds to go Brodie landed a sweet step off hook which had Andy out before he hit the canvas! the fight was waved off and Brodie declared the winner by TKO.
Then it was DDD's turn. Brett Franklin was after revenge after being stopped in there last encounter and came out all guns blazing. The first round was reasonably even until Brett landed a sweet elbow as they broke the clinch and gave Danny a small cut in his hairline.
The second started the same until Brett landed a kick on Danny's forearm, which did some considerable damage. He saw out the round and was unable to continue. With initial fears of a broken arm Brett was announced the winner by TKO.
Then we were back up to Brisbane for Nugget and Josh Sextons Evolution 12 promotion. Pixie Burton was back in the swing of things against Thai Thongchai Lamomphron. In his first foray back down to the Welter weight division in a many years, Pixie sent an ominous warning out to any of the hopefuls that he was back, with some devasting hand combinations. After a even first round, Pixie dominated the thai from the second round on. While he had plenty of oppportunities to put the Thai away Pixie saw out the full five rounds in an effort to clear out the ring rust after the extended lay off. Pixie Burton winner by unanimous points decision.
We also celebrated our Christmas party at Beer Thai in Broadbeach. Everyone had another great night and celebrations lasted well in to the night! MArk Lucchiari was awarded fighter of the year with 4 wins from 4 fights in his first year fighting, and Ben Peasley won the Most improved award for his performances through the year!
Then while most of the boys were celebrating the Christmas, Ben Burton, Daniel Moulder, Matt McTavish and Kershall Wallace were still hard at it in preparation for a trip to Hong Kong!
It was a mixed trip for the boys. Matt McTavish should have just stayed home! After the airline lost his bag on the way over, we was left in freezing cold Hong Kong with nothing but the shorts and singlet he wore on the plane! Also MIA were his contact lenses. After he arrived he managed to contract an eye infection, which had the rest of the boys in hiding from fear. After some heavy doses of anti biotics he cleared up and decalred he still wanted to fight! He started the first round strongly and was winning comfortably when he got hit with an elbow out of nowhere, splitting him above the eye and causing the fight to be stopped.
Kershall put in a strong performance which has earnt the praises of Mark Pease, who is now grooming him for bigger things back home. Kershall landed some solid punches to rock the boy from Hong Kong, only to see him saved by the bell and stumble back to the corner.
He kept plugging away scoring well against a much more experienced opponent (who had fought Aaron Leigh on the boys last trip to Hong Kong) to take the split points win!
Moulder battled with the Hong Kong version of the Energiser bunny, Bill Chong. After five close rounds the split points decision went to Bill.
Pixie then stepped in to centre ring against the tallest welterweight in history. At 6 ft 5 the Hong Kong boy had a good 8 inches on Pixie in height, but that didn't stop Ben from getting in and systematically picking him apart.
He worked well inside in the grapple and managed to land some good scoring shots from range to take the unanimous points win.
The Christmas break was also spent fitting out the new Strikeforce Gym. With the swelling numbers and constant enquiry it was decided to move out of our cosy little gym and Mark found a 195sqm factory. The finishing touches are still being out on but with about 80sqm of jigsaw matted floor space, a full size boxing ring, a 4 metre boxing ring, 7 bags and a upper cut and hook bag, weights, a lounge area, an office and shop its starting to really take shape.
With new beginners, girls and kids classes all set to begin in March its looking like another huge year for the gym. Big thanks to everyone who has been helping out with putting everything together with plenty of the boys and girls spending a lot of time down there! Any enquiries can be made to Mark on 0412 189 024.
So that gives you an idea on what we have been up to. Here's to another big year for Strikeforce Gym which celebrated its 20th birthday last week!