Hundreds of fight fans watched some thrilling action recently at the ‘All or Nothing’ fight night in The Palace nightclub. Full contact Kickboxing, Thai Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts fights entertained a knowledgeable Bridgwater crowd. This was the first ‘pro/am’ kickboxing that distinguished amateurs with wearing headguards.
    Local novices Paul Dunphy and Steve Prosser both took their fights at less than a week’s notice and did themselves proud. Dunphy battled hard for three rounds to earn his first win and Prosser had to do the same to force a draw. Kirsty James returned to the ring after a lay off through injury but after a short spell in the first round after taking some shots to the head there was a fear the ear drum injury had re-occurred so club coach Arthur Meek withdrew her from the bout to safeguard her interest.
    More experienced novice Audrius Budrys in his second contest had to pick himself up off the floor in the first round after being knocked down by his opponent Mike Carter of Taunton’s United Dojos. The second round saw Budrys in a more concentrated mode and put more combinations together to force Carter to cover up. The third round was much the same until Budrys caught Carter several times with some heavier punches that finally forced a stoppage by the referee.
    One of the top of the bill fights saw a pro Southern Area contest between two of the top females in the country. A thrilling contest that displayed peak fitness from both Anna Otterwell of Chippenham and Zoey Mason from Penzance. Mason was the winner with a unanimous decision after six gruelling rounds.
    Next in the ring was Bridgwater’s Joseph Bale in a Southern Area Title eliminator. Bale’s opponent Ross Phillips of the renowned Bulldog Gym in Bournemouth started strong and it looked as though he had perhaps too much for the Bridgwater twenty one year old. However, Bale weathered the storm to come back fiercely and effectively mixing up some delightful combinations that began to weaken his opponent. By the fourth round it was one way traffic that saw Phillips hanging on to Bale in fatigue. The decision however went against Joe on account that he didn’t meet the minimum kick count in three of the four rounds. Club coach Arthur Meek said he will study the dvd before putting forward any protest for a possible rematch.
    The crowd had little time to settle before another local youngster Chris James challenged for the Southern Area Amateur belt. This too was an enthralling contest over five rounds that had the crowd urging the Cannington fighter on through round after round. His opponent Rob Burbridge of Maidestone was the taller of the two and used this reach effectively from the start. James pushed Burbridge around in his aggressive style and appeared to be wearing his opponent down with his powerful shots to both body and head. However, Burbridge rallied in the later rounds and seemed to be a little sharper with his punches and this reflected in the split decision that went to Burbridge.
    Promoter Arthur Meek said the Bridgwater crowd were fantastic and were treated to a full night of action that displayed good sporting matches in one of the toughest sports in the world. Information on the next event can be obtained from Arthur on 07765042414.