European kickboxing title for Daly

Kickboxing in Galway has never been stronger and after the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) sanctioned event in Gort community hall on Saturday night, it has moved to an even higher level.
Local fighter, Eric Daly, the current All-Ireland and five nations full-contact kickboxing champion, took on European number one ranked fighter, Sarwar Hamid, who fights out of the well-respected Kicks Gym in Brighton under the guidance of Chris Kent.
The prize on this occasion was the IKF European Super lightweight full-contact kickboxing title.
The fight, which was, the main event, lived up to all expectations and went the full championship distance between the two world-class athletes and had the crowd in a frenzy throughout.
“Both men tipped the scales spot-on the weight division and entered the ring in tip-top condition and their fitness was a credit to both camps. The pace was incredible, with Daly and Hamid showing superb kicking ability coupled with excellent boxing skills but it was Daly who really impressed the judges with a hunger and desire reserved only for people at the top of their game.
Sarwar Hamid started the fight with a thunderous spinning heel kick to Daly’s head but Eric kept his composure and evaded it and came back with a flurry of well-placed kicks and sharp boxing combinations that backed Hamid up,” said Pete Foley of Black Dragon Kickboxing Club, Galway.
Hamid really pushed Eric Daly to his limits but it was Daly that remained the faster, stronger, fighter throughout and had the UK man in trouble in the fourth round with front kicks to the face and vicious body punches that slowed him down.
“The fifth and final round had Daly ahead on all score cards and Hamid needed a knockout to claim victory so he came out with all guns blazing but Daly was on fire at this point and in total control of the fight and halfway through the round he landed a jumping, spinning back to Hamid’s head,” Mr Foley outlined.
“At the final bell, both men showed the respect they had for each other in true sporting fashion as they exchanged hugs, which was in stark contrast to the war they had just been through, and then MC Alan Duggan announced the winner and the small town of Gort and indeed Ireland had a new European kickboxing champion,” he continued.
Claregalway’s Martin Murray also won a major title as he defeated Dungarvan’s Keith Moroney for the vacant IKF Junior Welterweight kickboxing title in a technical fight that showcased the sport in all the right ways.
Gary Minogue, James Ward and Aidan Brooks all won their bouts by TKO and indeed Aidan Brooks took the best knockout of the night award and the €100 prize money, which he donated to a Gort-based charity.
The Galway Black Dragon Kickboxing Club had a very successful night as out of the 19 fights on the card, they had a total of 16 fighters with 11 wins, one draw and just four defeats.
“We have to credit everyone who helped make the night a success. Especially to the businesses who supported this event and all the fighters, coaches and fight fans who travelled from all across Ireland, England and Scotland and to the set-up crew who worked tirelessly to get the event ready,” Mr Foley concluded.
New European champion, Eric Daly will start a kickboxing club in his home town next week, with training beginning in Gort Community Centre on Wednesday, October 5 at 5.30pm for juniors and 6.30pm for adults.