Hamilton kick boxers battle it out in Storm Warning competition

Kick-boxers will chase national titles this weekend in Hamilton in a full-contact competition dubbed as “real fighters against real fighters”.

Huntly’s Levi Conner and Hamilton-born Lance Bishop will both fight for titles this weekend in a 14-fight show that will see 20 Waikato fighters enter the ring, at the Hamilton YMCA.

Bishop is the newly crowned International Kickboxing Federation Middle Weight Champ and has dropped weight to challenge Taranaki’s BJ Bland for the NZ Light Middle Weight title.

With experience in mixed martial arts and more than 20 fights to his credit, Bland will be a formidable opponent for Bishop but the 20-year-old apprentice electrician is confident he is prepared for the battle.

“I’ve had a few big fights recently, I train six days a week, run and do lots of sparring so I think I’m more than ready,” Bishop said.

Trained by his father Shane, Bishop has an impressive record of nine wins and three losses since his first fight in 2009,  and he is quick to credit his father with some of that success,

“I’ve never been trained by anyone else, just my Dad. He taught me everything I know.”

Conner will go up against Kahi Henara from Napier for the vacant NZ Super Middle Weight title and is glad to get the opportunity to fight after three other opponents pulled out because of injury.

“I was the number-one contender for the title but the first guy pulled out and another guy and another guy. I don’t know anything about this guy but I’m stoked I’m getting in there.”

The 20-year-old fencer has also established an impressive record of 10 wins, four losses and a draw. He recently fought for a South Pacific title, narrowly losing a points decision despite knocking his opponent down twice.

Both fights will be full Mauy Thai rules which allow full use of knees and elbows and upright grappling. Promoter Norm Graham believes this will add to the excitement.

“This is full Thai rules, real fighters against real fighters. These guys are some of the best. It’s going to be good.”

Graham also believes the aptly named show Storm Warning: The Next Generation will create opportunities for what he calls the next generation of greats.

“It’s also about getting the young guys into the ring, letting them make a name for themselves and then they can see the more experienced guys fighting for titles. They are our next lot of champions.”