Wez Fagan WAKO Pro World Title Challenge

The Lamplight Arts Theatre at Stanley, County Durham hosted a night of professional kickboxing where promoter and fighter Wesley Fagan of NEKA introduced WAKO, the World governing body for kickboxing to the North East. The spectators in this sold out venue were to be treated to a show featuring local talent of all ages.

NEKA, North East Kickboxing Academy was only formed 18 months ago and has since grown in size and has already started producing fighters of a very good standard. Wesley Fagan took on the huge task of not only promoting the show but also fighting on it which made the demand on him even bigger, but with the help of family, friends and the club members they managed to feature a show which equalled if not bettered one of many an experienced promoter.

Wesley showed his skills and power early in the first round catching Andrea with solid hand and foot combinations even whilst planning and pacing the fight. Both fighters came out for round 2 after taking on board info from their corners where they noticeably now had different strategies, a stronger start from Andrea as he corner realised he had lost the first round. Half way through an excellent 2^nd, with Fagan in front again on the scorecards, Colantoni threw a spinning crescent kick which hit Fagan and both fighters dropped to the floor in an untidy mess. The shot had unfortunately caught Wez on the chin and he was looked at by the very experienced referee in Philip Dews who deemed it unsafe for Fagan to continue.

Fagan showed heart in saying “Let me carry on” but safety and common sense had to prevail. The Italians immediately offered a rematch as they believed the fight wasn’t a true representation of either fighter and the amount of work they had both put into it. It was a crying shame, both teams knew this was going to be a fight of quality and it had simply been cut short.

The story will continue and the rematch date will be released as soon as possible.

WAKO Pro GB wish Wez all the best and are now proud to have him as a registered WAKO promoter!

Wez Andrea and the Italian corner and International Judge

WAKO Pro GB Press Release

Great News for Taggart

Following extensive coverage and promotion of Leif Taggart and his continued success in winning again last week under WAKO K1 Rules we are pleased to say that following our AX statement of last week we have now obtained sponsorship for Leif.

The sponsorship deals have come in several shapes and sizes from an international and national company to personal sponsors.

Statements………….

NUTREAS LTD is proud to announce the sponsorship of Leif “Lethal” Taggart who recently has been fighting Semi-Pro in the hope of turning Professional at the beginning of 2011. Leif has since become the European WAKO K1 Rules Champion and won the World Silver Medal in WAKO K1 Rules also.

Nutreas sponsor a number of professional sports people and teams. Leif “Lethal” Taggart is now part of this growing group of Champions who desire the best.

Christian Cheshire Managing Director of Nutreas Ltd added;

“Our philosophy is “Powered by Nature” and Leif certainly fits into this philosophy in many ways. Our product range, which has been developed by our Nutritionalist and Sports Scientists in Germany to enhance professional sports peoples’ performance, is the ideal fuel to help Leif reach his goals.

He is a very focused and dedicated individual who is managed by an equally professional team at White Scorpion Fight Management, and they both compliment our brand.

We are all very excited about the future for everyone involved in this venture.

KO PRO being the official suppliers of equipment for all WAKO Pro GB title fights has offered to sponsor one of Great Britains up and coming athletes in the terrific shape of Leif Taggart. This will be ongoing and we hope to follow Leif right through to his professional career and beyond.

We offer a full range of equipment for the big fight and especially for training where items need to be continuously replaced, “Well worry not Leif we are one phone call away”. Good luck with the rest of your career.

TONY ADAMS BUTCHERS My name is John Homer and I am so impressed with Leif Taggart, he trains at our local gym and in line with our support for the community I sponsored his last fight in our local village. I was just amazed by his display! He was a pleasure to watch and on speaking to himself and his coach after I realised I could help further. He was saying how hard sponsorship was to come by and that it was his diet and nutrition which took a big part of the available cash up. I have since decided to supply Leif a fresh meat and chicken platter every week, this should ease the strain on his pocket!

To top this off a Personal sponsor has come forward and offered to pay for all Leifs everyday training expenses.

Leif stated “I would like to thank all the personal sponsors who have supported me in the past and those who still do with all types of  kit and cash to help with some of my out of pocket expenses. I hope I can continue to be successful and keep making my Mum and Dad proud along with my fans. This year is going to be hard as I am now fighting Semi Pro, going up a weight and obviously loosing the safety protection I am used to, but I enjoyed my first fight under these rules and came away relatively injury free. All I need to do now is prove to these kind sponsors that I am worthy of their support.”

Thank you.

Leif

WAKO Pro GB Show 13th March 2010

GENESIS 4

Lyric Theatre Dinnington Sheffield

13.March 2010.

Below is a short blog report on the show on the 13^th Macrh 2010, a full report will be out shortly in Fighters magazine.

Fight 1

3 x 2 minutes Light Continuous -56kg

NIKKI WILLIAMS                           v                                  ALEX EVANS

(Total Dojo)                                                                            (Falcon Fight Academy)

A nice fight by two really skilled young ladies, After being quickly corrected for level of contact Evans settled down to good combination work. Williams being a good low leg kick and full contact ringsport fighter could have stepped it up in reply but remained professional in her approach. Nikki did come back strong in the latter round which overall produced a really nice entertaining opening bout with Alex Evans taking the result by way of a unanimous points decision.

Fight 2

3x2 minutes Pro Full Contact -66.8kg

            GABRIEL MALEY               V         LEE MORGAN

            (Birmingham)                                      (Falcon Fight Academy)        

A tough first fight back for Lee Morgan under the management and coaching of CJP, but as with all Cris’ matching he likes his fighters to be tested. Gabriel Maley always looked like he had a punch which if connected would cause big damage so Morgans fight structuring was changed to suit. It was the perfect recipe and it swayed two of the judges in a close but majority decision in favour or Morgan.                                          

Fight 3

5x2 minutes WAKO amateur British K1  -60kg

                        BEN FAHEY             V         JORDAN WARING

                        (Lincoln Chikara)                    (Falcon Fight Academy)

A  truly amazing fight, which definitely could have gone either way as was their last meeting. Both fighters had a clear game plan and it made it hard for any of them to settle into a clear pattern. It was going to be a game of skill and surprise. Fahey seemed to get more leg kicks in where Waring was hitting with some good hand combinations. Fahey liked holding Waring in the clinch, but he had been drilled on how to get the knees to score in the clinch in preparation for this. In what was seen as a too close to call fight Waring edged it this time and won the WAKO Amateur K1 Rules title on a majority points decision.

                                                                                                                                               

Fight 4

3X2 British title eliminator Amateur full contact -81kg

                        ALFIE DAVIES                    v          NATHAN HOWE

                        (Enfield Kickboxing)                          (Falcon Fight Academy)

On Nathans 18^th Birthday he was to step out for the first time as a Falcon Fighter against Alfie Davies who is making himself a name in the sport at just the right age. Both guys had power, but Davies just seemed to be sharper and there first. Howe did come back in the last round but Davies had already proven he was winning material by taking the first two rounds.   

Fight 5


3X2 amateur International K1 rules -71kg

            MATHIAS BACKSTROM               V                     JAMES RUSSELL

            (Sweden)                                                                     (Total dojo GB)

James Russell came out of the trap with all guns blazing and continued for the whole round, Backstrom was strong throughout. The Swedish coach said after that he didn’t believe the British fighter could put another 3 minutesin at that pace and was to shocked to see he did. Backstrom was always knocking at the door but just didn’t knock loud enough with Russell getting the vote off all 3 judges.

Fight 6

3X3 Semi-Pro International WAKO K1 rules -60kg

AMIL LAFIH                        V                     LEIF TAGGART

(SWEDEN)                                         (Falcon Fight Academy GB)

Taggart lived up to every expectation and more. Although the Swede was prepared to stand and trade and not back off, Taggarts ringcraft and movement were unmatchable and untouchable! After Lafih had just come off a creditable win by beating one of Swedens top fighters he just didn’t have enough to take the crown out of the talons of Falcons new International superstar “Lethal Leif Taggart”. Top names there on the night, Phil Glover, Paul Powers and Waine Turner to name a few made some great comments and fighter and coach alike were humbled. Taggart was always looking for the unanimous decision which he was rightly awarded.

Fight 7

3X3 Semi-Pro International WAKO K1 rules – 81kg

            DAVID STAHL                     V         GALORE BOFANDO

            (Sweden)                                             (Lion’s den GB)

A battle and a half! Bofando with flair and skill, jump kicks, spinning kicks, head kicks, flips with Stahl being brutally strong in the clinch with devastating knees. After a convincing unanimous points win Bofando has already been approached about further fights and movements within his career.

Fight 8

5x2 minutes PRO International full contact +70kg

            SABRINA SEDIN     V                     KAREN DEWS

             (Sweden)                                            (Falcon Fight Academy GB)

With a coach load of supporters which filled nearly every VIP seat in the house Karen Dews put up another brilliant performance on her second professional fight. Sabrina Sedin was the smaller of the two ladies but she was not scared of coming forward. Round 3 is where Dews took a good lead as she followed all her attacks with good leg kicks and picked up extra and very valuable points. Sedin was always in front of Dews and did not stop to the final bell. The heavier girls do struggle to get fights but its nice to say that on this occasion two fit strong girls provided each other fair game! The result went to the last fighter out of the Blue corner on the evening, Karens Dews by the way of unanimous points.

Another successful promotion by WAKO Pro GB.

Demon Darmon!!!

Born n Bred WAKO fighter Mr Greg "Gregorio" "The Demon" Darmon will now contend for two titles very soon due to the behind the scenes work of the White Scorpion Management team  www.whitescorpion.moonfruit.com

Darmon will firstly contend the IKF -75kg Professional British F/C title against Gordon Childs in March and then the WFKKO -75kg European F/C title in April against an International opponent to be named very shortly.

After defending his WAKO pro British title successfully in December 2009 Darmon was more than keen to have a banging start to 2010. With future plans already being talked about it is clear to see that Greg has now settled down to serious training and means to make his mark this year! With a new training programme and a fire in his sole he now knows he is ready!

A fantastic opponent in John Lloyd another fantastic fighter!

Greg has also and rightfully earned a place on the WAKO Pro Dream team who will face Sweden in September here in the UK, another show which will create interest as he buddies up with some of the countries best!!!

Good luck Greg.

Wez Fagan

Congratulations go out to Wez Fagan who has proven beyond doubt that he is ready for the biggest challenge of his life!
His prayers have been answered! Janson-Piers, his new manager and National coach promised him this big opportunity after lifting the prestigious WFKKO World title fight a few months ago. With the strength of this recent win the challenge was sent to the World president of WAKO to fight one of his very own.


Both Wez and Cris respect that his opponent will be no push over and with the record below Fagan will be upping his training immediately.

Andrea  Colantoni Italy
Campione italiano kick boxing Amateur
Campione italiano full contact pro
Campione europeo full contact pro
32 Fights
22 Wins  10 Losses

With Fagan having a record of  43 Fights with just 9 Losses and 1 Draw this is set to be a real thriller.
Fagan is now selecting a team to help promote the show in the manner WAKO Pro HQ are accustomed to.


Already he is looking at supporting the show with some top local talent!


We are sure the show will be a great success and welcome all your support. Anyone with fighters for the proposed show scheduled for July 2010 should contact Cris Janson-Piers in the initial stages at
crisjansonpiers@googlemail.com.

Fagans Fighter released

Call back very shortly when all will be revealed for Fagans WAKO Pro World title contention.

Top! Champion Kickboxing Star returns but for different reason!!

Top! Champion Kickboxing Star returns but for different reason!!


So who and what is it?? Keep calling back!!!

WAKO Pro GB press release Jan 2010

WAKO Pro GB Press Release, Shows & the DREAM TEAM


Cris Janson-Piers, the President of WAKO Pro GB has just announced some of the main developments for 2010 and he can be rightfully proud of the progression that has been made already this year including some top fight matches on shows throughout the UK. Although WAKO Pro does as it says on the can……..that is, deals with professional fighters, Cris is adamant in involving Amateurs on shows and galas, realising that it is these very people who may or do eventually move on to fight on the professional circuit.

WAKO Pro has worked hard over the last few years to work alongside as many people as possible and that is now showing with fighters representing so many different groups who are now contending for WAKO Pro or Amateur titles either in this country or abroad.

WAKO Pro Fighters have met some of the top competition in the World over the last few years, fighting out in such as Norway, France, Spain, Sardinia, Oman, Italy, Holland to name a few and then WAKO pro GB have also reciprocated by bringing in fighters from as far away as New Zealand and many European fighters, whilst the Amateurs have travelled extensively with at least 4 trips abroad a year. In 2010 the Amateurs are fighting in Azerbaijan, Serbia, Beijing, Greece and with a pending invitation to South Africa.

So with a busy International agenda the next thing was to make sure WAKO Pro built on their reputation for top quality shows within the UK. It has got to be said that alongside all the other quality shows in 2010 there is one which is firmly fixed on the lips of everyone at the WAKO Pro HQ in Sheffield and one which is assured to create a great following by the many loyal fans of each individual also.

WAKO Sweden have agreed to field a team of their top fighters and with a reputation of being one of the World leaders in Ringsports the GB team selections were not approached lightly. Cris knew this would need a combination of fighters who had proven track records and who would be seen as highly ranked within the GB kickboxing fraternity. After entering into talks with some of the best coaches in the country a team started to form and as each member was added excitement continued to rise. Sweden specified they wanted some amateurs and professionals within both Full Contact and K1 rules and have actively sought fighters from different clubs from their country to do battle.

This fantastic event will be a prepaid ticket only show and featured in Yorkshire on 11th September 2010. It will be held at a very prestigious venue and will be well publicised. There will be magazine interviews and video show reels nearer the date. So let’s have a look at the team already being Dubbed as the “Dream Team”


The DREAM TEAM (In no specific order)

Leif Taggart -60kg Semi-Pro K1 Rules
Shane Beard 71.8-75kg Pro K1Rules
Chad Sugden Amateur F/C 63/65kg (Still growing!!)
Qasim Beg 60-62.3 Pro F/C
Wez Fagan 62.3-64.5kg Pro F/C
Greg Darmon 71.8-75kg Pro F/C
Aaron Robinson 66.8-69.1kg Pro F/C
Shawn Burton 62.3-64.5kg Pro F/C
Ryan Hamer 64.5-66.8kg Pro F/C (Team Captain)

So as it is plain to see the GB team has so much strength, class and style and the combined experience of the fighters and coaches alike can only make this team even stronger!

The ladies have not been forgotten on this show, it’s just that this area is still being discussed and there is a possibility Sweden may be matched against some or one of our GB female fighters in individual bouts on the same night. Sweden do have some fighters coming over to the UK early on in the year also which will help build relations and communicative skills prior to the big event.

SOME OF THE WAKO and WAKO Pro GB Events for 2010
FEBRUARY
21ST WAKO BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS (AMATEUR FULL CONTACT PRE REGISTRATION NEEDED, DOWNLOAD THE ENTRY FORM AT WWW.WAKOGB.CO.UK)
MARCH
5-6th MARCH IRISH OPEN (WAKO EVENT) WHICH INCLUDES RINGSPORTS THIS YEAR
13TH WAKO PRO SHOW LYRIC THEATRE DINNINGTON SHEFFIELD ALL STYLES AND DISCIPLINES IN THE RING. INTERNATIONAL AND TITLE BOUTS FEATURED.
APRIL
3RD WAKO PRO EVENT ALL RING DISCIPLINES SLEAFORD. GREG DARMON TO FIGHT FOR A TOP TITLE
MAY
8TH WAKO PRO SHOW. ALL RINGSPORTS ESSEX , AGAIN FEATURING SOME TOP TITLE BOUTS.
22ND 23RD WAKO PRO EVENT!!!! WATCH OUT FOR THIS AS INFO NOT RELEASED YET!
JULY
17TH WEZ FAGAN PROPOSED WAKO PRO WORLD TITLE AND EVENT
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
27TH -4TH SEPTEMBER WORLD MARTIAL ARTS GAMES BEIJING
11th - WAKO PRO GB DREAM TEAM SHOW YORKSHIRE
13-19TH WAKO WORLD CADETS SERBIA
OCT
18th – 24th WAKO EUROPEANS K1 AND LOW KICK AZERBAIJAN
NOV
22-28th? WAKO EUROPEANS FULL AND KICK LIGHT GREECE
DEC
4TH WAKO PRO SHOW LYRIC THEATRE DINNINGTON SHEFFIELD ALL STYLES AND DISCIPLINES IN THE RING. WAKO BRITISH TITLES.

Obviously WAKO cannot outline every show there is this year but these are just some of the ones to watch out for, others will be added as they transpire or finalise. All recent and breaking news can be seen on the WAKO Pro Blog at www.wakoprogb.blogspot.com

WAKO Pro will answer any questions or queries at crisjansonpiers@googlemail.com . Any challenges should also be directed to the email address above also.

Refereeing, Judges and coaching courses are also available through the WAKO system and this will enable officials to attain qualification up to and including International level in all WAKO recognised Ringsports.
WAKO Pro GB wishes all the fighters in the UK of all levels and in all styles good luck in 2010.

Team WAKO Pro GB.

More UK Fighters to fight Internationally

WAKO Pro GB still presses on to be the leader in Professional International competition and show promotion. Along side this WAKO travel 4 times a year to places all around the globe with its Amateur fighters as an official Great Britain Team.
Just recently it has sent professional  fighters out to Sardinia, France, Spain, Italy etc and it has brought fighters into the UK from as far away as New Zealand, Latvia and again the likes of France and now Sweden.

A two part agreement has been struck with Sweden in 2010 and they will bring over "B" and "C" class fighters with the odd "A" Class fighter in March and then return in September to face an "All Star" team of GB's best "A" class fighters. The last event will be a real flagship event and all involved in it will be tested very hard.

Later in the year some of the GB K1 Rules fighters are set to test their metal by entering the super high level shows witnessed in Holland.

Check back soon for a further update and pictures!

WAKO Titles contended within minutes of release!!!

WAKO Pro GB and WAKO GB have released a hit list! It features some of the champions and also fighters who are ready to challenge for titles.
The list features Amateur and Professionals in all the ringsport disciplines WAKO recognise.

It was released and within minutes it raised 2 challenges and now another one has just come in.
This will fall in nicely with all the hard work and forward planning CJP has been doing over the past few years.

Cris stated " I was pleased with 2009 but I already had it planned for 2010 to be WAKO's big year in the ring! I am pleased to see it is some of the amateur women who seem to be making a move also.

We welcome fighters from all the disciplines, regardless of group to come forward and enquire of challenges!!

Also look out on the WAKO webs for the WAKO British Championships which deals soley with the competition format in the ring. This is where fighters contest over 3 rounds in a knock out league type system on one day.
The titles below are all to be fought on evening shows where British Amateur title fights are 5 Rounds and Professional are 7 rounds which has always been the norm with WAKO for years.

WAKO Contenders AM and Pro

Amateurs in Blue Pro’s in Red in ascending order of weights

Possible contenders before any further challenges have been added

Rachael Stephens WAKO AM English Title -52kg F/C

Lydia Durkin WAKO AM British Title Challenge -60kg F/C

Hazel Gale WAKO AM British Title Challenge -70kg F/C

Jordan Waring WAKO AM English or British -60kg F/C or K1

Chad Sugden Cadet WAKO AM British (Weight to be discussed) F/C

Gareth Ford WAKO AM Area title -63.5kg F/C

Lee Morgan WAKO Pro English challenge -66.8kg F/C

Mat Hetherington WAKO AM Area Title challenge -67kg F/C

Philip Ayres WAKO AM British Title challenge -75kg F/C

Paul Crofts WAKO AM British Title challenge -75kg F/C

John Lloyd WAKO Pro English Title challenge -75.kg F/C

Marc Sargeant K1 75-81kg

WAKO Champions Moving on or defending

Lisa Higo WAKO Pro British Champ Title defence 50-52kg F/C

Ros Wilson WAKO AM British Title defence -52kg F/C

Kerry-Louise WAKO Pro European or Intercontinental K1 Rules (Being proposed at the moment) 66-68kg K1

Karen Dews WAKO Pro European Champion +70kg F/C

Leif Taggart Accepting 3 x Semi-Pro bouts in 2010. Looking at WAKO Pro prestige fights abroad under K1 Rules 60-62.3kg as pro am, -63.5kg if amateur.

Ben Fahey Cadet WAKO AM English Title defence or WAKO AM British K1 title 57-60kg F/C

Ben Fahey Cadet WAKO AM British Title defence 57-60kg F/C

Steve Attfield  WAKO AM Area title 60-63.5kg F/C

Colin Heard WAKO AM English or WAKO may consider BritishF/C 60-65kg F/C

Mike Nudd WAKO PRO British Title defence 60kg – 62.3kg F/C

Shawn Burton WAKO Pro British title defence (Preferably ONTO EUROPEAN TITLE) 62.3kg – 64.5kg F/C

Adam Lawrence WAKO Pro Area Champion (Move up to WAKO Pro English or British) 60-62.3kg F/C

Andy Johnson WAKO Pro K1 Rules British Defence 64.5-66.8kg K1

Aaron Robinson WAKO Pro English or British title (New weight??)  64.5-66.8kg F/C

Ryan Hamer  WAKO Pro European Title rematch, (Being proposed at the moment) 64.5kg – 66.8kg F/C

Wez Fagan WAKO Pro World title (Being proposed at the moment) F/C 64.5-66.8kg F/C

Chris Deakin WAKO Pro British title (defence or move up to European) 66.8kg – 69.1kg F/C

Chris McCartie WAKO Pro British 69.1kg  - 71.8kg F/C

Audifax Kinga WAKO AM British Title defence 70-75kg F/C

John Lee WAKO AM English Title or Re match against Audifax Kinga for WAKO AM British F/C 70- 75kg F/C

Mike  Brooks WAKO AM British Title F/C 75-81kg F/C

John Shiels WAKO Pro British Champion  Title defence 78.2kg – 81.4kg  F/C

Jon Durrant  WAKO Pro British Title defence (Or move up to European) 81.5kg  - 85.1kg  F/C

Paul Randall  WAKO Pro English Champion (Move up to British) 81.5-85.1kg F/C

Alex Makenzine WAKO Pro K1 Rules British Defence (Or move on to European Title shot) 85.1-88.6kg K1

Steve Salter WAKO AM British Title defence -91kg F/C