Fightstore Media’s Top 5 Fights of the Night – Curadh Legends
No 1 – Aaron Browne (Chaiyo) vs Mohamed Kalif (Waterford Thai) – Pro ISKA K-1 Oriental rules 70 kg title
It was billed to be the fight of the night and it didn’t disappoint. Aaron ‘Boom Boom’ Browne lifted the title in front of the joyous home crowd after a four round war with Mohamed Kalif. The atmosphere turned up a notch for this one and you could feel the electricity in the air.
Kalif knew he had an uphill struggle but never let it faze him, fighting admirably against the hometown favourite. Browne closed the distance, used his knees and kept the nimble Waterford fighter at bay. Kalif was light on his feet, countering with a number of body and leg kicks.
As we entered the fourth round it could have went either way and both men beckoned the crowd behind them. Kalif landed a nice combo early but Browne was determined not to let it slip away. He marched forward, with the roars of the home crowd in his ear and pinned Kalif back, catching his kicks and looking the more aggressive. His hand was raised deservedly after an enthralling encounter between two of Ireland’s best fighters.
No 2 – Islam Bisayev (Bridgestone) vs Brian Amos (Dublin Thai) – Pro B Class Thai 75 kg
It’s hard to imagine that Islam Bisayev is only 22. The Bridgestone fighter looked unstoppable against Brian Amos, continuing his good form from Cage Kings Dublin 2. It was an efficient, quick and calculated victory which turned a few heads in the Tattersalls Arena.
It only lasted one round but we learned a lot about Bisayev – he hits hard! Once he opened up and let his hands fly there was little that Amos could do to counter him. His head shots wobbled Amos, who looked visibly dazed as the round progressed. Bisayev never relented and it took its toll on the Dublin Thai fighter. He was unable to continue for the second round and added another impressive victory to Bisayev’s collection.
No 3 – Martin Daniel (Contender UK) vs Collie Murphy (Lanka Gym Belfast) – Pro ISKA 4 Nations Title K-1 86 kg
With a title on the line this was always going to be an exciting contest. Collie Murphy representing Ireland outclassed his English opponent with a first round KO. Murphy displayed his power, strength and efficiency when it mattered most.
Martin Daniel began brightly, finding his way through Murphy’s defence a number of times. This was short lived however as Murphy stepped things up a gear and landed two successive head kicks in the space of a few seconds.
Daniel retaliated with a combination of his own but with one crisp left hook he was knocked out cold on the canvas. Murphy landed the sweetest of combinations to bring the title home to Belfast. A thrilling fight which got the whole crowd on their feet.
No 4 – Lee Coakley (Lionheart) vs Gerard Kennedy (309) – Amateur Thai Fight 67 kg
The only amateur fight to make its way on to our top five but deservedly so! There was much hype behind this fight following an altercation after the weigh-in and the tension spilled over to the ring. Both men were hungry to win and it proved to be one of the best fights on the night.
A cracking encounter which went back and forth over three rounds. Kennedy looked comfortable in the first round, getting the best of their exchanges. Coakley came out fighting in the second, connecting with a huge head kick which knocked Kennedy to the canvas. He picked himself up and marched forward again putting everything on the line to win.
Entering the final round it looked too close to call. Ger Kennedy re-grouped and attacked Coakley from the start but the Lionheart fighter used his range advantage effectively. His body kicks landed time and time again giving him the narrowest of victories. As one of the early fights it really stood out from the rest.
No 5 – Fares Faroo (309) vs Peter Conroy (Dundalk Thai) – Pro C Class Thai 60 kg
Two evenly matched fighters who produced one of the most exciting contests at Curadh Legends. Attack, attack, attack was the motto of this fight and it captivated the audience. They traded combo’s back and forth, leaving everything they had in the ring.
309’s Fares Faroo found himself on the ground in round one but took the fight to Conroy in the second round. As the taller, rangier fighter he used it effectively and picked off countless body kicks. Conroy knew he had to close the distance and used his knees in the clinch to land some points.
The final round was action-packed. Faroo produced one of the most memorable moments when he landed a jumping body kick which received lots of cheers from the crowd. It was a gritty affair with lots of clinching but seemed to be anyone’s fight after the final bell. Faroo took the narrowest of victories following a superb contest.
Islam Bisayev v Brian Amos – Curadh Legends [Video]
News Recap: A Week in the Boxing Sphere
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I was at the Aaron Brown v mo kallif fight and believe me only one fighter deserved the win and it certainly wasn’t Aaron Browne although he was unlucky not to get a stoppage with four low blows.