Cut ends Davis title bid

A cut above the left eye spelled disaster for Featherston kickboxer Kirk Davis when he fought for the vacant New Zealand junior Muay Thai title in Auckland.
Davis, a bronze medallist at the 2010 Muay Thai world championships in Thailand, started strongly against Aucklander Ambrose Matio and looked well placed for victory come the end of the first round.
In the opening stages of the second round Davis still seemed in command but had the misfortune to be struck above the left eye by a Matio elbow, and the resultant blood flow from a cut which eventually required seven stitches forced the fight to be stopped, with Matio declared the winner.
Kelly Davis, mother of Kirk and head coach at the Featherston Muay Thai club, said her son was recovering well from his injury but a decision had been made not to aim for the 2011 world champs, which are being held in Uzbekistan.
Rather, attempts will be made to arrange regular bouts for him in this country and, providing enough funds can be raised, he will have a second training stint in Thailand towards the end of this year.
Wairarapa will still have at least one fighter representing New Zealand at the worlds, though with Masterton's Cody Temuri being selected to wear the silver fern at that event.
Kickboxing has become increasingly popular in this region, with plenty of newcomers at the Featherston club. Many are likely to see action in the novice grades at a tournament planned for Featherston, around October 1.