A very impressive Craig Shaw victory was the main attraction of a hugely successful evening for the Darlington Boxing and Martial Arts Academy last weekend.
The club held their biggest ever Thai-boxing show at the town's Dolphin Centre on Sunday - hundreds of people were turned away on the door - with
clubs from across the county, as well as fighters from Thailand, accepting invitations to take part.
But as well as Shaw's convincing win, head coach and organiser, Paul Hamilton had two more reasons to celebrate - after the evening's entertainment had come to a close.
Darlington boxer Kurt Forrest had his defeat overturned after judges viewed a replay of his fight with Thai Komiat Imphat. Forrest appeared to have done enough to have won the contest against the Thai who has over 400 bouts behind him, so judges examined tapes of the fight and decided to change their original decision.
And having originally agreed to screen the show ten times, Sky Sports were so pleased with the atmosphere and professional set-up they have decided to split their broadcast into three, one hour programmes and televise each on
ten occasions during January. Originally, the broadcast was going to be a lot shorter and would have had fewer screenings.
Shaw delighted the packed crowd with his second round stoppage against Pratuang Chanruang of Thailand and the Eurpean champion is now focusing on another fight verus Thai opposition on Sunday in Birmingham.
Hamilton has huge faith in Shaw' ability and now intends to pair him up with another a Thai fighter for a World title during April or May next year, again at the Dolphin Centre.
The night's other success story was that of 15-year-old Michael Dicks. He took up the sport less than a year ago, and despite having had just four fights to date, Dicks beat James Kalm, almost twice Dicks' ages, to secure an English Amateur title.
Results: Camille Hamilton (Darlington) beat Lisa Davies (Altringham) - unanimous; Jemma Dean (Altringham) beat Sabrina Bright (D'ton) - retired; Mark Bustamante (Watford) beat Anthony Miller (D'ton); Alan Mustafa (Leeds)
beat Kenny Drybirth (Scotland) - knockout; Anek Tan Danek (Thailand) beat Paul Spinks (D'ton) - unan.; Steven Walton (D'ton) beat Steve Patterson (Scotland) - knockout; Gareth Annon (Watford) beat Neil Walton (D'ton) - unan.; Michael Dicks (D'ton) beat James Kalm (Bolton) - unan. JohnGallagher
(Scotland) beat Mick Wilson (Watford) - majority; John Richie (Scotland)beat Josh Cragg (D'ton); Nic Sheppard (Leeds) beat Leo Elenor (Watford); Kurt Forrest (D'ton) beat Komkiat Imphat (Thailand); Rashgard Achran (Tigers) beat Stewart Reily (Watford); Craig Shaw (D'ton) beat Pratuang Chanruang (Thailand). Sponsors: Alpha Radio, Technocopy, Genuine Army Surplus, Darlington Road Haulage, Icon Plastic, Regal Mouldings, Marcus Nimmo, Nifco, Wetherspoons,
Darlington Timber, Dave Turnbull Tyres, North View Engineering, David Penman Motors, Profix Fabrications Ltd., WB Motors, The Auto Centre, Walls Ice Cream, Harrisons, La Famiglia, Club 2K, Du Point
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