Injured Prime refuses to bow

Up-and-coming Masterton kickboxer Steve Prime held his own despite injury at a Porirua fight night at the weekend.

The Harley's Kickboxing gym fighter walked away a virtual winner after a full three-round no-contest bout against Jai Muay Thai club opponent Alex Foy at the Activation event in Porirua on Saturday night.

Harley's Kickboxing gym head trainer Mal Harley said Prime, 27, had carried a rib injury into the 80kg bout but refused to bow to his rival despite a barrage of knees and body rips to that area.

"The first thing Foy threw was a kick to the ribs and he followed that with knees to the same place. Steve coped really well right through the first round and unleashed left right punches in the second and gave it all back.

"After the second round Steve was feeling his injury - you could see it - but he refused to back down. He finished it and that's the mark of a true fighter."

Harley said Prime was to fight again at a tournament in Palmerston North in February and would be joined on the card by multiple New Zealand title-holder and clubmate Brendan Varty.

Varty, 24, is set to fight a pro fighter at the upcoming event after capturing five championship belts across several weight grades since he launched his competitive career three years ago.

Prime said he was satisfied with his outing and was looking forward to his next bout at the Palmerston North tournament next year.