22/10/2025
Long Post Alert! (it took me three days to write it)
Its the day after, the day after our home show and we are slowly recovering from the exhaustion that these shows bring. I left the gym at 10am Saturday morning to go to the venue and never sat down again until 00:30 on Sunday morning, leg day doesn’t get worse than that.
The show this time round was a bit smaller than last time but with 10 bouts and a British Title main event it was always going to be entertaining.
• Opening the show we had Aria and Willow who brought smiles to many faces at the level of cuteness during the walk-ins and shock to the same faces when they the bell rang. They may be cute but they gave their all over the three short minutes.
• Reece and Ross were next to make the walk, Reece for the third time, Ross for the first time. They never let nerves get to them as they showcased the skills they had been working on in the gym and with 5 rounds to work they gave a thoroughly entertaining performance.
• George and Alfie stepped into the ring just one week after making their debuts on another show, something that is hard to do for any fighter never mind juniors so early in their career. Still sore from those fights they made the walk and showed how comfortable there are in the ring.
• Noah Sherwood (Combat Central) v Aidan Bramham (SMAC) saw two young men taking their first steps in boxing. A 3 round exhibition of skills earned through hard work and dedication in the gym helped them look comfortable in there. We have no doubt that they will soon be facing off against their opponents in their first prestige fights.
• Taking us into the break were two of the gyms rising stars, MacKenzie Ross v Louie Anderson. Louie has only just made the switch from boxing to Muay Thai and stepped in with MacKenzie for his first outing in the sport. He will be on a card making his debut soon going by the skills on display on Saturday. MacKenzie was told to take it easy and take care to protect himself for his fight next week in Ayr where he will be facing a young fighter we know well from a very good gym. They will face each other under N class rules leaving the head guards and body shields of the junior ranks behind them as they embark on their adult Muay Thai journey.
• Sam McLeod and Aldo Pickett opened the main card with a Thai exhibition, for Sam it was the first of what will be many journeys through the ropes we have no doubt. He has worked hard in the gym and has really come on these last few months. Aldo has been training for a while now but always for fitness, Saturday was the first time he stepped into the ring and is now looking for his first fight which we are trying to match before the end of the year. On Saturday he showed quite clearly he is ready for it.
• Morgan Pearson stepped up for his first proper fight on Saturday against a late step in from Team Extreme in Dundee, Ceiran McIntyre. Its often difficult matching juniors especially for their first fights and this fight was no exception. Morgan’s opponent was visibly larger, more mature and brought with him more fighting experience. Undaunted Morgan went to work and was doing well before getting caught with a clean shot which rocked him. The referee Richie Hocking had seen enough and with it being a junior fight had no hesitation in stopping the action.
• Fresh from his 2nd round stoppage win on the SMAC show two weeks ago Mark McDonach faced Michael Proctor from Marinecraft in Dumbarton. In round 1 Mark was slow to start with the taller Michael using his reach to good affect. In the corner we were screaming for him to let his hands go but it looked like it might be an off day for Mark. That was our mistake. The corner team did a great job of instructing him and Mark went out with a new plan and mind set dominating the next two rounds with huge pressure and barrage after barrage of punches. A cut in the last round look to have ended Marks fight early but after Richie Hocking’s assessment it was deemed not to be in a dangerous place and he was allowed to continue. There is nothing like the sight of your own blood to get you going and Mark took it to Ceiran for the remainder of the fight, securing the win on decision.
• Also fresh from his last fight two weeks ago on the SMAC card Dylan Barker faced the same opponent he faced then Craig Anderson. Dylan lost a close fight the first time out with Craig securing a split win at the end of three rounds. Sometimes styles make fights, sometimes one boxers style doesn’t suit another and that was the result on Saturday with history repeating itself and Dylan once again losing by just a single point in a split decision.
• Combat Central had a brief rest in the next fight as Marinecraft’s, Artur Wujpowicz took on Mannix Elliot. Artur was scheduled to fight Keevan McEwan from SMAC who was forced to withdraw after a foot injury. Mannix stepped up on the Friday morning, the day of the weigh-ins and took the fight dropping from over 2 KG to make weight. It wasn’t to be Mannix’s day as Artur proved too strong and experienced for the debut fighter.
• Our last fight of the evening was our main event and what a main event it was. A British Title on the line but more importantly was the decider of the rubber match between James Cameron and Dale Cree. Dale has been around the boxing scene for a long time and has a reputation for being strong and fit. He brings relentless pressure in every fight and it is a style that has done him well so far, unfortunately for Dale, James is more of a cardio monster than he is.
James was slow to start in the first round but while he was not throwing as much as the corner wanted, his use of the Philly shell meant that Dale hardly landed a shot on him.
This helped James settle into the fight and from the beginning of the 2nd round started to implement the game plan and take control.
Round 3 saw the fuel tank of James come into effect as he pushed the pace not allowing Dale to rest ending the round strong.
In round 4 we could hear Dales corner shouting for him to use his boxing but James now had his range and as the pressure continued caught Dale with a stiff jab that took the wind out of him, 30 seconds later, with Dale on the back foot James landed a sweet overhand right sending Dale to the canvass for an 8 count, securing the round and in our opinion the fight. Despite chasing the dazed Dale, James was unable to get the stoppage taking us to the final round.
With instructions from the corner to concentrate on defence we knew Dale would need to chase the fight in the final round with James now well ahead on points he needed the stoppage, something we were not going to give him. Once more James’s gas tank was the difference as he controlled the round finishing strong and tagging Dale once more, to secure the win and the WKA Light-Middleweight British Title.
It was a great night for the gym and I feel a good night of entertainment for the people of Helensburgh in the all but sold out Victoria Halls and while it wasn’t a positive outcome for everyone the losses leave us with work to do and a clear mind as to what that work is.
I would like to thank all the fighters that stepped through the ropes on Saturday, its you we do this for, to give you your moment under the spot light. I especially want to thank all the Combat Central fighters who worked hard for their fights and who did everything asked of them on Saturday.
Thank you also to everyone who helped out on the night.
Stuart and Andy on the doors collecting tickets. Possibly one of the worst jobs for getting to see fights.
Cieran and Anton and everyone else that helped load and unload the van and Morgan for coming along on the Sunday with his dad to help unload.
Kirsty for sorting out the shopping making sure I had access to tea on the day and Lauren for making me tea all day.
Jess for doing an amazing job of running back stage wrangling the fighters to where they were meant to be when they needed to be there.
Tiff the new official Combat Central Photographer for some amazing images of the night and along with partner Andy took care of Kiko all day.
Coll for assisting with our new PA and providing a great sound all night. We could actually hear it this time.
Josh, Gregor and Hollie, you all did an amazing job in the corners and getting all the fighters prepared on the day.
The wider Combat Central Fight Team and students who played their part in helping fighters prepare, from sparring and pads, to nutrition and fitness everyone dug in.
WKA Officials for doing such a great job judging the fights and keeping everyone on track.
Richie Hocking the referee on his first boxing show did a cracking job of looking after the fighters and keeping coaches in check.
ABC Paramedics the level of service these guys provide should in my opinion be the minimum required at combat sport shows. It’s not about what happens its about what may happen and knowing that regardless of the nature of the injury, fighters will get the best initial care available gives me total peace of mind.
Keni Allan Ring Announcer on the night and my big brother. I owe you more than I could ever repay, without your unwavering support Combat Central would not exist. Whenever I need encouragement and support you are there front and centre giving me all the support I need, whenever I need someone to tell me to stop you are there saying “f**k that keep doing what you’re doing”. You made it all possible.
Robin Downer while you were missed on Saturday the amazing performances from all our students was down to you and your knowledge of the fight game. You came to us to help out for a specific fight and three years later you are still here, the gym and I are better for it. We have a big year ahead of us and I’m privileged to have you beside me.
Finally but not last Liam Wong. Student number 1 back in 2019 you have come a long way since then, your dedication to Combat Sports in particular Muay Thai has seen you transform into a great coach for our kids and juniors who all clearly adore and respect you. Your work with the fighters shown through on Saturday as I watched the things you worked on in the gym get put into action in the ring. You have helped transform the gym and helped me see the road ahead clearly for the first time in years. I know your ready for the year ahead of us and the challenges we face, I’m glad to have you with me as we head into Combat Central’s future knowing that Combat Central will be in good hands. Thanks mate!
