Merrigan contests All Ireland title fight

Ready to spar: Jason Mannion (Castlepark), Bryan Merrigan (Oughterard), Feidhlim Dunne (Kinvara), Shane Creaven (Turloughmore), Dylan Casey (Doughiska), Gary Manogue (Castlepark), Ezra Nolan (Clarinbridge), Charlie Ward (Ballybane) and Valerie Hamilton (Bohermore) ready for Saturday’s fight night at the Menlo Park Hotel.

Galway kickboxer Bryan Merrigan is aiming to become the first fighter to win an IKF sanctioned All Ireland K-1 title.

The Oughterard fighter will take on Tomas Trajkovski from the highly regarded Top-Pro Gym in Kilkenny for the vacant belt at super welterweight at the Menlo Park Hotel on Saturday.

Bryan Merrigan already holds the kickboxing version in this weight division which he won by stoppage, but this time knee strikes are also in the mix which should suit Merrigan’s aggressive all action style.

K-1 is a brand of fighting that has been developed to allow boxers, kickboxers, Thai boxers, and karate and taekwondo practitioners share some common ground and it is designed for knockouts.

There will also be a full undercard to Merrigan’s title fight featuring some of Ireland top kickboxers, including Galway’s Gary Manogue and Charlie Ward.

Manogue and Ward will take on stiff opposition from Dublin and Limerick respectively - the last fight heading with coach Pete Foley and teammate Nicki Collins to Orlando, Florida to take part in the IKF World Classic Championships.

Also on Saturday night, Galway’s Valerie Hamilton will step in with pro boxer Christine McMahon from Carrickmacross under conventional Queensbury Rules, while Galway heavyweight Steven Murphy will also take part in a boxing match with Athlone’s Martin Ward.

Doors open in the Menlo Park Hotel at 6.15pm on Saturday night with the first fight scheduled for 7pm. Tickets are available from the hotel reception, Sally Longs bar, the Black Dragon Gym or any of the fighters on the card.

Further information from Pete Foley 087-8119227.