GARETH “The Taz” Burbidge has been training at Eagles Thai Boxing Gym, Barry, for the past 18 months.

His talent was recognised by master ‘Arjan’, Peter Stewart the chief instructor for Wales.

Gareth was taken under Peter’s wing and taught the finer points of the art which proved to be the skill which took the Pro K1 English title.

A fight scheduled for five-two minute rounds under the Pro K1 role saw Gareth face David Massel the current champion and seasoned fighter with a pro-record of seven wins and three losses in K1 and seven wins and two losses in professional boxing.

From round one Gareth took the lead bombarding Massel with combinations of all weapons, putting him to the canvas for the first of the three standing counts.

Gareth was on the cards as the underdog but the dedication to the gruelling training regimes laid out by Arjan Steward proved too much for his opponent.

Round three brought victory to Eagles Gym. Once again as Gareth “The Taz” Burbidge released a devastating attack on Massel. The title was now in the bag.

Gareth is now being prepared to fight his first ‘A’ class debut.

Arjan Peter Stewart is working with promoters in Las Vegas and Thailand to secure an intercontinental title.

Also fighting was Sam “The Pastie” Trezise, during the second amateur fight she had her toe broken.

She was in total control of the fight until the beginning of round two where a shin block caused a fracture of her toe and she was pulled out of the fight. A re-match will be arranged later in the year.

Eagles Thai Boxing is run at Barry Island Sports and Social Club, Monday to Thursday from 6pm onwards.