Three titles for Galway fighters

Galway’s Shane Creaven on his way to winning the vacant IKF All Ireland light heavyweight title.

The Galway Black Dragon Club lifted three national titles at a high-octaine "Fist Of Fury" kickboxing and K-1 event on Saturday evening.

Sean Creaven, Charlie Ward and Paul Huish became Galway’s latest title holders at the Black Box Theatre, while former Galway Black Dragon fighter Amy Wilson, who now fights out of the Donegal Club won a unanimous points victory to claim the IKF Ladies’ All Ireland light welterweight crown.

However there was also disappointment for Galway’s Bryan Merrigan who took on France’s Michael Gerard in the main event. The Frenchman caught Merrigan with a vicious right hook to the jaw in round one and the referee called the fight off with Gerard claiming the honours by TKO. As a result IKF Ireland is recommending Merrigan will have to serve a 45 day suspension on medical grounds.

Shane Creaven took on Keith Shelly from the Global Kickboxing Gym in Dublin with Creaven lifting the vacant IKF All Ireland light heavyweight title by judges’ decision after a hard-fought battle over five rounds.

Paul "Hurricane" Huish was all business when he went to the ring to take on the current IKF All Ireland Welterweight Champion Evan Walker who fights out of Jimmy Courtney’s gym in Dublin.

Huish produced a masterclass of text book kickboxing, landing kick after kick as well as several high kicks to the head to claim the title on judges’ decision.

Charlie "The Iceman" Ward, in the final title fight of the night, took on Dublin’s Eric Nolan for the recently vacated IKF All Ireland super welterweight crown.

This was always going to be a cracker of a fight as both young men have been busy on the international circuit. It was all action until round four when Ward landed a mighty uppercut which had Nolan out on his feet, but when Ward landed a right hook, he sealed the deal with a knockout victory.

Other results: David Rusinak,Tullamore, defeated Jonathan Curran, Galway, by judges’ decision; David Kapinga, Tullamore, defeated Gerry King, Galway by judges’ decision; Leona Trautt, Galway defeated Orla O’Brien, Cork, by judges’ decision; James Ward, Galway, defeated Connor Broderick, Thurles, by TKO in round three; Natalie Molloy, Galway defeated Ciara Leavy, Tullamore by judges’ decision; Stephen Murphy, Galway, fought to a draw.