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| Leeds isn't short of a sporting hero or two; just a couple of months ago we celebrated the world class Olympic performances of boxer Nicola Adams, cyclist Lizzie Armitstead and triathlon stars Alistair and Jonny Brownlee. And while the sport of Thai Boxing might miss out on the global attention of the Olympics, it has a strong and growing following in and around West Yorkshire, with Leeds being home to some of the most talented Thai boxers - not just in the country - but in the world. | Leeds isn't short of a sporting hero or two; just a couple of months ago we celebrated the world class Olympic performances of boxer Nicola Adams, cyclist Lizzie Armitstead and triathlon stars Alistair and Jonny Brownlee. And while the sport of Thai Boxing might miss out on the global attention of the Olympics, it has a strong and growing following in and around West Yorkshire, with Leeds being home to some of the most talented Thai boxers - not just in the country - but in the world. |
| This Saturday, 20 October, some of the most talented Thai boxers in the country will showcase exactly what it means to be a world-class athlete. The aptly named 'Xtreme Combat' Thai boxing show will be held this Saturday at Elland Road - the stomping ground of Leeds' football champions. Thai boxing veterans Mike Tobin of Tobin's Gym and Richard Smith of Bad Company - both in Leeds - have teamed up to bring together a fantastic line up of 14 show-stopping bouts, consisting of 2 European title fights and 4 international matches. Fighting for the prestigious European titles are Mikey Clarke and Stuart Kemp, both of Mike Tobin's Gym and both of whom have won British and European titles respectively. | This Saturday, 20 October, some of the most talented Thai boxers in the country will showcase exactly what it means to be a world-class athlete. The aptly named 'Xtreme Combat' Thai boxing show will be held this Saturday at Elland Road - the stomping ground of Leeds' football champions. Thai boxing veterans Mike Tobin of Tobin's Gym and Richard Smith of Bad Company - both in Leeds - have teamed up to bring together a fantastic line up of 14 show-stopping bouts, consisting of 2 European title fights and 4 international matches. Fighting for the prestigious European titles are Mikey Clarke and Stuart Kemp, both of Mike Tobin's Gym and both of whom have won British and European titles respectively. |
| Tobin and Smith, through hard work and dedication, have seen their fighters achieve world-wide acclaim (Richard Smith is responsible for training Liam Harrison, Jordan Watson and Andy Howson, all of whom between them have 8 World Champion titles) and hope to make superstars out of the fighters they have chosen to put in the ring this weekend. Smith says: | Tobin and Smith, through hard work and dedication, have seen their fighters achieve world-wide acclaim (Richard Smith is responsible for training Liam Harrison, Jordan Watson and Andy Howson, all of whom between them have 8 World Champion titles) and hope to make superstars out of the fighters they have chosen to put in the ring this weekend. Smith says: |
| Fighters are born, not made, and we are so excited about these matches. This is definitely one of the most exciting Thai Boxing shows Leeds has ever seen. | Fighters are born, not made, and we are so excited about these matches. This is definitely one of the most exciting Thai Boxing shows Leeds has ever seen. |
| Tobin adds: | Tobin adds: |
| Leeds has some of the best Thai Boxers we've seen in the last 10 years. We have world champions right here on our very own doorstep. | Leeds has some of the best Thai Boxers we've seen in the last 10 years. We have world champions right here on our very own doorstep. |
As the momentum behind the show continues to grow, so too does the stage. Both instructors have seen their fighters compete up and down the country in some of the largest venues including the MEN Arena and the O2. They have seen their protégées shoot to Thai Boxing fame with fighters competing overseas in New York, Vegas, Australia and all over Europe, not to mention their success being televised on Sky Sports - a sure sign that this sport is not one to be sniffed at. | As the momentum behind the show continues to grow, so too does the stage. Both instructors have seen their fighters compete up and down the country in some of the largest venues including the MEN Arena and the O2. They have seen their protégées shoot to Thai Boxing fame with fighters competing overseas in New York, Vegas, Australia and all over Europe, not to mention their success being televised on Sky Sports - a sure sign that this sport is not one to be sniffed at. |
| Some of the stars: The World Champion: Liam 'The Hitman' Harrison | Some of the stars: The World Champion: Liam 'The Hitman' Harrison |
| The stats: 87 fights, 75 wins, 2 draws, 39 KO's. Titles: 4 x World Champion, Intercontinental Champion, European Champion, British Champion, Commonwealth Champion. Liam Harrison, 27, from Harehills, is a World Champion of Thai boxing and trains with Bad Company. | The stats: 87 fights, 75 wins, 2 draws, 39 KO's. Titles: 4 x World Champion, Intercontinental Champion, European Champion, British Champion, Commonwealth Champion. Liam Harrison, 27, from Harehills, is a World Champion of Thai boxing and trains with Bad Company. |
| I train twice a day, every day, six days a week when I'm preparing for a fight. When you're fighting, you're only in the ring for fifteen minutes, but you have to train for hours and hours to be able to last those fifteen minutes. | I train twice a day, every day, six days a week when I'm preparing for a fight. When you're fighting, you're only in the ring for fifteen minutes, but you have to train for hours and hours to be able to last those fifteen minutes. |
| It's not a brutal sport - a lot of people look at it and think that but it's not. To me it's a game, it's just a game. Once you start being aggressive, you lose concentration and that's when you get knocked out. You've got to be sharp, you've got to be alert and you've got to keep a high level of concentration. | It's not a brutal sport - a lot of people look at it and think that but it's not. To me it's a game, it's just a game. Once you start being aggressive, you lose concentration and that's when you get knocked out. You've got to be sharp, you've got to be alert and you've got to keep a high level of concentration. |
| "It takes discipline to become a champion. If you've got discipline, a big heart and you're willing to learn then you'll do well. | "It takes discipline to become a champion. If you've got discipline, a big heart and you're willing to learn then you'll do well. |
| Doing it for the Girls: Kate Stables The stats: 13 fights, 9 wins, 3 draws. Titles: WRSA English Title | Doing it for the Girls: Kate Stables The stats: 13 fights, 9 wins, 3 draws. Titles: WRSA English Title |
| Liam's protégée; Kate, 22, from Pontefract, is one of the best female fighters of her age group. She also trains with Bad Company. | Liam's protégée; Kate, 22, from Pontefract, is one of the best female fighters of her age group. She also trains with Bad Company. |
| I've always been quite sporty and I used to do more girly sports like netball and dancing. I would honestly be the last person ever who you would expect fight competitively, but after trying Thai boxing for fun I never looked back. "Some people don't understand why a girl would want to fight, but the win and all the training leading up to it is so enjoyable. It's the best feeling in the world. | I've always been quite sporty and I used to do more girly sports like netball and dancing. I would honestly be the last person ever who you would expect fight competitively, but after trying Thai boxing for fun I never looked back. "Some people don't understand why a girl would want to fight, but the win and all the training leading up to it is so enjoyable. It's the best feeling in the world. |
| People often say I smile when I'm fighting, but I just enjoy being there and I enjoy people watching. It's not like you're trying to hurt the other person - it can be quite playful sometimes. | People often say I smile when I'm fighting, but I just enjoy being there and I enjoy people watching. It's not like you're trying to hurt the other person - it can be quite playful sometimes. |
| I think every girl should try it. It's good for self defence, it's good for confidence and it's good for fitness and weight loss. It's such a friendly sport, too. There's a real community feel with all the different Thai boxing gyms in Leeds. All the clubs like to work together to get the best out of the fighters. I think Thai boxing is probably one of the more humble sports - there's a lot of respect in it. | I think every girl should try it. It's good for self defence, it's good for confidence and it's good for fitness and weight loss. It's such a friendly sport, too. There's a real community feel with all the different Thai boxing gyms in Leeds. All the clubs like to work together to get the best out of the fighters. I think Thai boxing is probably one of the more humble sports - there's a lot of respect in it. |
The Rising Star: Mikey Clarke Stats: 21 fights, 21 wins, 17 KO's | The Rising Star: Mikey Clarke Stats: 21 fights, 21 wins, 17 KO's |
| Titles: UKMF Champion, ISKA British Champion. With two titles already under his belt, 24-year-old Mikey, from Guisely, is the one to watch for the future of Thai Boxing. He trains at Tobin's Gym and is fighting this weekend. | Titles: UKMF Champion, ISKA British Champion. With two titles already under his belt, 24-year-old Mikey, from Guisely, is the one to watch for the future of Thai Boxing. He trains at Tobin's Gym and is fighting this weekend. |
| It's pretty full on with the training side of things - I train six days a week when I'm preparing for a fight. | It's pretty full on with the training side of things - I train six days a week when I'm preparing for a fight. |
| The weeks before a fight you can get a bit nervous and worried about whether or not you can beat your opponent, but when you're in the ring all you can think about it how much you want to win and it gives you confidence. | The weeks before a fight you can get a bit nervous and worried about whether or not you can beat your opponent, but when you're in the ring all you can think about it how much you want to win and it gives you confidence. |
| I don't think Thai boxing is widely recognised enough - I'd like to increase the appeal of it as it's so much fun to watch. It's even great for families to come to see as there's so much respect in the sport. You're there to hurt each other in the ring, but afterwards you're best mates at the bar! | I don't think Thai boxing is widely recognised enough - I'd like to increase the appeal of it as it's so much fun to watch. It's even great for families to come to see as there's so much respect in the sport. You're there to hurt each other in the ring, but afterwards you're best mates at the bar! |
The Newcomer: Lewis Kendrew | The Newcomer: Lewis Kendrew |
| Stats: 1 fight, 1 win. | Stats: 1 fight, 1 win. |
| 19-year-old Lewis from New Farnley has only been boxing for 3 years but has already shown much promise in the ring. He trains at Tobin's Gym and is fighting this weekend. | 19-year-old Lewis from New Farnley has only been boxing for 3 years but has already shown much promise in the ring. He trains at Tobin's Gym and is fighting this weekend. |
| I'm probably the least experienced fighter fighting this weekend, but I still wanted to take part - everyone's got to start somewhere. I'm probably more nervous this time to be honest than for my first fight as it's a bigger show. I'd encourage anyone to give it a go, even if they've never done it before. You don't have to take part in the fights - a lot of people just come down to train. It's a really great atmosphere. | I'm probably the least experienced fighter fighting this weekend, but I still wanted to take part - everyone's got to start somewhere. I'm probably more nervous this time to be honest than for my first fight as it's a bigger show. I'd encourage anyone to give it a go, even if they've never done it before. You don't have to take part in the fights - a lot of people just come down to train. It's a really great atmosphere. |
| If you would like a slice of the action, tickets are still available from Richard (07885270267) or Mike (07970615425). Alternatively you can pay on the door. Doors open at 3pm, with the show starting at 4pm. | If you would like a slice of the action, tickets are still available from Richard (07885270267) or Mike (07970615425). Alternatively you can pay on the door. Doors open at 3pm, with the show starting at 4pm. |
| Amy Byard is a BA broadcast journalism graduate of Leeds university. | Amy Byard is a BA broadcast journalism graduate of Leeds university. |
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