IKF 5 Nations Title Fight - Ramelton, Donegal

black dragon

The sleepy village of Ramelton in Co. Donegal on the beautiful North West coast of Ireland with a population of 900 people was rocked to its knees on Saturday night when IKF promoter Joe Wilson put on an International Kickboxing fight night featuring some of Irelands top fighters taking on International competition from the UK and France.
Over half the population of the village was there to witness local hero Darryl Orr take on current IKF British champion Sam Reeves for the vacant IKF 5 Nations Welterweight Title and the anticipation and the athmosphere was electric.
Reeves entered the ring looking fit and extremely focused on the job in hand, to a quiet but respectful reception and it was obvious that the fight fans were holding back their enthusiasm as when Orr was called, the roof almost came off the building with young and old getting behind their hero.
The fight lived up to all expectations as both men gave their all but Orr seemed to be that little bit stronger in the exchanges and landed the bigger shots to end each round.
Reeves came to fight however and pushed the Donegal warrior to the limit but Orr caught him with a well placed right hook to the body early in the 5th round which dropped the brave englishman to his knees and the writing was now on the wall.
After taking an 8 count from referee Mick Burke, Reeves got stuck right back in the action but Orr was on fire now and teed off on his target, landing shot after shot and it was a testament to the fitness of both men that the fight went to the final bell such was the pace throughout.
The fight fans were at fever pitch now as they awaited the decision of the judges, who had each travelled over 200 miles to the event, and when the MC announced Darryl Orr as the new champion, the party began.
Mr Wilson put together an action packed undercard also which featured his wife Amy take on a very determined Melanie Pelissier from France in an exciting four round contest which went the distance with Amy getting the nod and Local fighter Ciilin Boyce who is the current IKF All Ireland featherweight champion scoring a close points victory over game Englishman Shaun Little.
Ten years old Alex Fitzpatrick from Tuam and Gary Manogue from Castlepark in Galway City who both fight out of the Galway Black Dragon Kickboxing club also travelled to Ramelton to take part in the International kickboxing fight night.
Alex was the first fight of the night and he took on young Patrick Mc Fadden from the home team in a rematch which went Mc Faddens way the last time out, but this time the determined young warrior from Tuam turned it around and earned a well deserved points victory from all three ringside judges.
Gary Manogue, who is the current IKF 5 Nations Superwelterweight Champion, took on one of Frances finest and certainly one of his hardest fights to date, Mouim Issilahy, in a vicscious four round contest.
Issilahy, a Muay Thai specialist, is probably one of the hardest pound for pound kickers in the game and this was clearly evident when he unloaded on Manogue as the bangs could be heard all around the packed sports hall.
It took Gary a round or two to figure out the tough Frenchman after which, he started landing some bombs of his own but Issilahy was dangerous to the end until Manogue caught him with a crisp body hook which slowed him down and the referee gave him an eight count.
The action continued and halfways through the fourth round Gary caught Issilahy with a straight left punch followed by a right hook to the temple and the brave Frenchman was out on his feet and referee Mick Burke from Dublin waved it off giving Gary victory by TKO and increasing his fight record to a perfect 16 and 0.
Gary will travel to Florida in July to take part in the IKF World Classic Championships along with clubmates Charlie Ward, Nicola Collins and coach Pete Foley.

Results in full:

1/ Alex Fitzpatrick from Galway Black Dragon Gym defeated Patrick Mc Fadden from Donegal Black Dragon in a light contact junior kickboxing bout (20-18, 20-19, 20-18)

2/ Abdulla Smew, letterkenny, Ireland, 1-2, 84kg , 5'10'', 07-31-88, Joe Wilson 086 8774382 defeated Stephen Mc Keever, Derry, Ireland, 2-2, 78kg, 5'10'', 07-15-86, James Doherty 087 1381015 when Mc Keever failed to come out for the 3rd round. AM FCR.

3/ Chris Mc Crudden, Letterkenny, Ireland, 4-0 kickboxing, 3-0 boxing, 69kg, 6', 09-28-94, Joe Wilson 086 8774382 defeated Feidhlim Dunne, Galway, Ireland, 4-1-2, 71kg, 5'10'', 08-24-93, Pete Foley 087 8119227 by Judges decision (30-28, 30-28, 29-28). AM FCR.

4/ Eamonn Cullen, Donegal, Ireland, 7-2, 74kg, 6', 01-19-78, Joe Wilson 086 8774382, defeated Keith Moran, 1-3-2, 74kg, 5'11', 10-14-85, James Doherty 087 1381015 by judges decision (29-29, 30-28, 30-27). AM FCR.

5/ Amy Wilson, Letterkenny, Ireland, 15-13-2, 64.5kg, 5'6'', 12-03-80, Joe Wilson 086 8774382 defeated Melanie Pelissier, Talence, France, 9-8-1, 62.5kg, 5'7'', 10-05-90, Cedric Lacombe 06-425-414413 by judges decision (40-37, 39-38, 40-38). AM FCR.

6/ Gary Manogue, Galway, Ireland, 16-0, 70kg, 6'1'', 05-28-81, Pete Foley 087 8119227 defeated Mouim Issilahy, St Martin, France, 22-5, 67kg, 5'10'', 11-19-84, William Varnier 0602 054648 by TKO in round 4.
IKF Ireland have issued a 30 medical suspension to Mouim Issillahy until 21st May, 2012. AM FCR.

7/ Ciilin Boyce, Ramelton, Ireland, 8-5, 58kg, 5'8'', 05-10-92 Joe Wilson 086 8774382 defeated Shaun Liddle, Cleveland, England, 9-11, 58kg, 5'8'', 04-02-87, Ron Grey 07939 130942 by judges decision (39-39, 39-37, 40-38). AM FCR.

VACANT IKF AM FCR 5 NATIONS WELTERWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

8/ Darryl Orr, Ramelton, Ireland, 13-4, 66kg, 5'11'', 01-19-88, Joe Wilson 086 8774382 defeated Sam Reeves, 13-7 kickboxing, 4-2 boxing, 66.9kg, 5'10'', 09-12-86, Ron Grey 07939 130942 by judges decision (50-45, 49-46, 50-45) to win the Vacant IKF AM FCR 5 Nations Welterweight Title. AM FCR.

Performance Martial Arts

This was a great show and well worth the trip up too. It was my first time in Donegal and i have to say it was a pleasure to refferee the show and the crowd were brilliant. All the fights were perfectly matched and thew show ran like clock work. Since ive been involved in the IKF ive seen some cracking shows and fights and its getting bigger and better. Well done to Joe Wilson and the Black Dragon Donegal crew for hosting such an event. Cant wait for next year!!

Mick Burke