Jai Yai Collide Battle in the Sun Lowestoft

What a great weekend of Muay Thai

All the lads (Roo, Franky and Zane) weighed in Friday afternoon and after a 5 hour drive we arrived 10.30pm in Lowestoft. Its a seaside town in East Anglia and feels like you're really so far away from home.

The show was an open air event in a field opposite a beach resort. It was cloudy and windy and a bit chilly so when we arrived I asked the promoter if he had a contingency for rain but he said he'd done a rain dance that morning so we were okay haha!!

There were 23 fights and WickerCamp had 3 competing, Zane Polin N class, Franky Sandor C class ProAm, and Roo March-Mullaney A class.

Zane was matched against John Duffy from Storm Gym at 67kg. It was Zanes first fight so an unusual event for his debut. John came out very aggressive and strong in the first two rounds trying to spoil Zane who had good composure but struggled a bit to settle and find his range. Zane's technique was better and used his jab, push kick and body kick well which was effective. From round three Zane took back control and scored well both in close and at range and comfortably won on points. A great performance for his first fight. Thank you to his family for driving all that way to support.

Franky was matched with Pharell Chuenban from Dan McGowans who was less experienced but Franky has only fought once in the last 12 months and coming off a stoppage was feeling the nerves. It was also at 59.5kg and Franky's normal weight is 56/7kg.

It was a very good display of Muay Thai with both fighters showing excellent striking and countering skills. An exchange of multiple kicks in the first round set the standard from the start. Pharell was stronger in the clinch scoring very well with his knees and had strong low kicks which being Southpaw landed strong on Frankys right leg. Franky's countering skills were excellent replying with fast kicks and punches to Pharells attacks. He scored more in the last two roundwell with his left hook and in the last round landed a fantastic right head kick which we could hear from the corner and Pharell took so well. Overall it was a great fight with Pharell being the stronger and scoring more so he won on points. A great come back fight for Franky and he feels ready and back for September. Thanks to his family for making the long journey to support.

Roo fought Igor Smialowicz also from Dan McGowans.

Roo was unusually a bit nervous for this fight but he started well in the first round landing quite a few strong teeps to the body which put Igor on the back foot. There were some good exchanges with Igor favouring his hands initially but Roo using his body kicks and jabs well. Roo used his footwork very well staying clear of Igor's attacks and countering well with accurate shots to the body and head. There was a lot of work done in the clinch throughout the fight with Roo's knees scoring more accurately and sharper. Igor's relentless attempts with his elbows paid off in the third cutting Roo over his right eye which pissed him off and he replied with an aggressive combination of kicks and punches. Fortunately the cut didn't bleed out much at all (even though it needed 3 stitches!!) so didn't affect Roo's performance. He continued to dominate in the fourth with strong body kicks and used excellent footwork to defend and counter. Igor was always dangerous and always in the fight but by the fifth the fight was won. Another good victory for Roo against a very well schooled opponent. Looking forward to seeing him in action again in September.

A big thanks to all our supporters who made the long journey. Zane's family, Franky's family, the Carnalls of course, Jude, Amy, Bailey and Adam and the three amigos, Yusuf, Adnan and Daniel and of course the lovely Bella.

Thanks to Bin and his team and family for a great show which was welcoming and friendly in a really lovely part of the UK.

A big thank you to Chilli my cornerman and especially to all my fighters who train so hard, they listen, they learn and I can't hope for more than that. 💙

Our next event is Legacy in Barnsley on the 12th September!