World-class kickboxers coming to city
Eight international-class kickboxers will vie for the title of King in the Ring in Manawatu¯ .
The King in the Ring kickboxing tournament will be at the Arena in Palmerston North on September 6. King in the Ring is for New Zealand’s top up-and-coming fighters.
It is an eight-man knockout competition for cruiserweights, where the potential winner will have three fights on the night. The winner gets a $10,000 prize.
Promoter Jason Suttie, a six-time Muay Thai kickboxing world champion, said it would be a massive event.
‘‘It’s three fights each in one night and it’s a stepping stone for our New Zealand fighters for the rest of the world.’’
Kiwi UFC stars Israel Adesanya and Dan Hooker have both fought in King in the Ring previously.
Auckland fighters Hayden Todd and Mose Afoa, from Auckland, as well as Ty Williams, from Wellington, are likely to be the favourites for this year’s title, Suttie said.
Also entered are Mandela Ale, Geordie Bateman, Cole Davids, Stefan Harrison and Zeke Thompson. Each fight consists of three three-minute rounds.
Suttie was hopeful of selling out the Arena. ‘‘It’s looking very good. Our last show was on June 29 and before that show we had already sold over 30 tables [for King in the Ring], which we’ve never done at this time.’’
Commercial officer Josh Millan said it was a quality event.
‘‘It’s world-class combat people coming to Manawatu¯ to represent their gyms from across the country.’’
There are also a couple of super fights and one of the fighters is Moe Hussain, who fights out of Featherston.
There will be three corporate boxing bouts featuring Manawatu¯ fighters, who will be trained by Billy Meehan.