Payback time for kickboxer Daly

GORT man Eric Daly is hoping for revenge this weekend. The GMIT student will challenge for the vacant IKF European Superlightweight Full Contact Kickboxing title this Saturday before a home crowd against Sarwar Hamid, who fights out of Brighton in England.
The pair last met in a studio in Norwich for the launch of an online television station dedicated to martial arts and in that exchange, it was the Briton that came out on top.
“He beat me in the last round of that so this is a rematch of sorts. I know what he is like to fight so I am better prepared this time but then again he knows what I am like too. He is a nice lad and a good fighter so it should be fairly enjoyable, especially from the audience’s perspective. I am looking for revenge or payback,” Eric told The Clare Champion.
The event has a further special significant for the South Galway man because he is taking on the European number one contender very close to home in Gort Community Centre.
“I suppose it is an advantage in a way but you are always nervous fighting in your own back garden. Hopefully the decision will go my way on the night. It makes you work harder when you are fighting at home in front of everyone you know. I would love to see lots of people come along to support me and the other Galway fighters on the night.
“As far as I can see though, from the way people are talking, the whole town will be there, which I would well believe because there is usually a good turnout from the town. They are usually great to come out and support me,” the 24-year-old observed.
This is the third consecutive year that Gort will be the venue for a major kickboxing event and Eric believes it is a major benefit to the town.
“I think it is very good for the town because the fighters will stay in the Lady Gregory on the night and with people coming out from Galway City and up from Clare, people are spending money, particularly in the town centre,” he asserted.
In terms of the fight itself, Eric feels he is in a good position to take glory.
“I feel good, my fitness is 100% and I know what he is like. He is a very fast mover and a brilliant kicker so I have been training to account for this. It will be a good fight, a very fast-paced fight, so it should be great for spectators. They love to see lads moving fast and getting into each other,” he commented.
“The preparation has been good for this fight. I have been training twice a day, five days a week, running in the morning and kickboxing in the evenings. I haven’t had any injuries, thank God. I have to watch the diet because I have to weigh in at exactly 62.5kg on the day but I eat as normal, with healthy food, and I weigh in once a week to make sure I am maintaining my weight fairly alright. My hours of work and college are fitting around my training so I am lucky in that way that everything has worked out well so far,” he continued.
Overall, Eric feels that he is hitting his peak at the right time.
“I am in the right spot. My preparations have been good, I feel good and I feel fit. I know what to expect but I will be nervous on the night definitely,” he concluded.
Eric fights out of the Galway Black Dragon Kickboxing Gym and is the current All-Ireland and Five Nations champion. This will be his second attempt at the European title belt.
His first attempt was on March 12 this year in the Black Box Theatre, where he took on the British champion Howard Hogg from Cardiff. The fight, considered by many to be a classic, ended in a draw.
Many people will remember this night for very different reasons though, as it was the night the Black Dragon Gym burned to the ground. The club is back up and running again and looking for a big win on Saturday to add to their impressive CV.
Also on the undercard will be four All-Ireland title fights with two Galway fighters looking for gold.
Jason Mannion from Castlepark takes on Irish featherweight champion Cillian Boyce from Donegal and Claregalway’s Martin Murray will face Dungarvan’s Keith Moroney for the junior welterweight belt.
Current world champion Cathal Manning will switch rule styles in a four-round boxing match under Marquess of Queensberry rules and the fearsome Aidan Brooks will take on Belfast man Peter Rusk in a pro rules K-1 fight.
World champion Nikki Collins is also on the card and she takes on Argentinean Muay Thai fighter, Maria Gonzales, while crowd-pleaser Gary Minogue will take on Kilkenny man, Kayne Nelson in a scheduled four rounder.
Overall, there are 19 scheduled fights on the card, including a European title fight, four All-Ireland title fights, a boxing match and seven K-1 rules bouts.
Tickets for the event are on sale now from Minihane’s Super Valu in Gort, fighters on the card or the Black Dragon Gym, while a limited number will be available on the door.