Fighter eyes world title

Birthday boy Kirk Davis might have lost his bout at the Muay Thai Rumble in the 'Rapa kick-boxing tournament at the Anzac Hall in Featherston on Saturday, but he did enough to foster hopes of a bold showing at the world championships in Thailand later this month.
Davis, from Featherston, turned 17 on Saturday and was always likely to find the going tough against his 30-year-old opponent Ian Charleston.
In the end it was the greater experience of Charleston from Wellington that gave him the nod but tournament organiser Sue Latta, who will manage the Kiwi contingent in Thailand, was "very impressed" at the competitiveness of Davis over the three rounds.
"It was an exciting bout, there was hardly anything in it at all," Latta said. "I guess it was ringcraft that gave Ian the points decision but Kirk made it tough for him. He gave it everything he had."
Kirk Davis will be accompanied to Thailand by his mother, Kelly, who will be officiating there as as a judge and referee, and they are still in the throes of organising sponsorship to enable them to make the trip.
Funds obtained from Saturday's tourney will be a major help and Latta is hopeful enough businesses in Wairarapa will guarantee they both fly out.
"Competing or administrating at a world championship takes a huge amount of dedication and it would be tragic if either of them were forced to pull out at such a late stage," she said.
Davis was not, however, the only Featherston kick-boxer to keep a big Anzac Hall crowd well entertained, although Reuben Friend would have wanted a better finish to his bout.
He was faring well going into the second round but was forced to call it a day when he had a wisdom tooth knocked out. "Reuben saw the funny side of it. He reckoned it saved him a trip to the dentist," Latta said.
Andre Irwin deservedly won a close contest in his heavyweight bout and while Frankie Leota had the height advantage over her opponent in a novice fight she was giving away several kilograms in weight.
In a division in where no winners are actually declared Leota's fitness seemed to give her the edge. Other local standout novices included Ross brothers, Hayden, 9, and Daniel, 11, and Masterton's Ed Namana.