Eagles soar in title-winning showing (From Barry And District News)

Eagles soar in title-winning showing

THE Eagles Gym fighters have proved they are ready to start bringing the titles home!

Five male fighters and one female fighter made the trip to an event in Birmingham.

The first fighter of the day was super heavy weight Gareth Edwards, who won after battling for three rounds. This was Gareth's third fight and both fighters were exhausted afterwards.

Gareth had to change his fight tactics as his opponent used grappling and knee techniques, but after round one Gareth was back in charge of the fight bringing victory to the Eagles Gym.

The second fighter from the gym was Danny Borge. This being his second fight at light middle weight, he was faced with a more experienced fighter.

All aspects of muay thai were used by both men in this very technical fight. Danny won other the three rounds with a unanimous decision.

Paul Swannick, again fighting in the light middle weight division, stayed totally in control from the beginning. This was Paul's first fight in the thai ring, and he ended the third round triumphant.

Being the only female fighter from the Eagles Gym, Sandra Stephenson gave a good show giving away two weight divisions to her heavier opponent.

Following her disappointment in December after her opponent pulled out, Sandra was ready for revenge.

Her hard training paid off as the speed and co-ordination of her attack outclassed her opponent. She won with a unanimous decision.

Jason Ude, a member who has recently returned to train at the Eagles Gym, put up a great show.

He had a warning for an illegal technique in the second round. the technique used was for "A" class fights only and not at the level used within the rules of this show. But he also ended his fight victorious.

A demonstration fight by Gary Fifield, who has trained at the Eagles for many years, was next, against a 16-year-old from Birmingham.

A demonstration is a very light, non-contact bout designed to give both fighters the feel of ring competition as a first stage before a full contact fight.

Next, Sandra took on her second opponent of the day. This time she battled with an opponent who was at instructors' level in muay thai, and has been training and competing for many years.

This did not deter Sandra in any way, who gave away three weight divisions, this time to the other fighter.

Sandra had been on the fighting bill to compete against three female fighters on the day, however the third opponent, after seeing her gruelling fight against the second, pulled out.

Peter Stewart is now preparing Sandra to fight in the Tower Ballroom in Birmingham, a fight which is due to televised.

With all her extra training of six days per week and normal classes, this is the girl that the muay thai fighters need to watch out for.

* The Eagles Gym has produced Welsh, British, and World Championship title fighters, both amateur or professional. Anyone wishing to join the gym on Barry Island can contact Peter Stewart, chief instructor for Wales on 07973 384275.