The New ISKA European Champion

Introducing:
The New ISKA European Champion…

…Chao Phraya’s very own Leigh Edlin!!

Leigh Edlin v Michele Botezatu 3
Leigh Edlin ISKA Europen Champion
ISKA European Champion Leigh Edlin with his Chao Phraya Team of: Ajarn Parnpetch, Kru Yai Shaun Boland, Darren McFaul, Andy Thomson & Isaac Edlin.

This has been a very long journey for Lincoln’s most successful Thai Boxer, Leigh Edlin. Becoming the new European Champion is no easy feat, in fact it has taken over 4 month’s to organise and 4 months of training hard 6 days a week. He has travelled around the country to train with world champion fighters and trainers to ensure that he was in absolute top condition for the challenge.

Yogendra Parekh and Black Widow Martial Arts organised the Last Man Standing Event back in January of this year, creating a superb night of Muay Thai Boxing at the New Bingley Hall – Hockley in Birmingham on Saturday 13th April 2013.

Leigh’s dedication to Traditional Muay Thai is immense; juggling running the Chao Phraya Academy in Lincoln, a full-time job, a family, loosing his father in recent weeks as well as training for the European Title. Only confirms Leigh’s absolute passion for this sport and driving the ‘Art of eight limbs’ within the UK.

Leigh weighed in on the Friday at bang on 69kg before the fight and in his own words said “I’m in the best condition I have been before any fight”. As Leigh was introduced on Fight Night, it certainly showed… In peak condition as he entered the ring, he looked focused and confident.

With his highly regarded corner team of: Shaun Boland (club founder), Andy Thomson (renowned trainer from Thailand), Parnpetch Rirom (international Muay Thai legend) & Darren McFaul (performance specialist) you could tell straight away, this was going to be an epic battle… a battle where Edlin needed to be on top form and he certainly was. Controlling every round, not giving the Italian a second to think or even compose himself.

Leigh openly admits, his opponent Michele Botezatu took some of his best shots. Punches, kicks, knees and elbows that would have put many a fighter down and all credit to him for that. Being a very Traditional Muay Thai Fighter, gives you up most respect for your opponents and even though Leigh won every round on points, he was far from unscathed from the fight and needed stitches to repair cuts to his face after the fight.

Reflecting from the fight on Saturday night, takes a few days to sink in. That a fighter representing the Chao Phraya Academy in Lincoln has taken his sport to one of the very highest levels and succeeded. It’s only the battle scars and the European Title Belt that now remind us of this great feat Leigh has accomplished.

Whats next for Leigh Edlin… He now gets the time to spend with his family and friends that he has missed but Leigh is looking forward to working with his students at the Chao Phraya Academy. Pushing them to their physical limits; hoping to either improve fitness, confidence or maybe produce another Champion!

Then on the horizon, time and day job allowing, Leigh will be able to defend his Champion Status, with a high possibility of it being abroad. Then next, perhaps a shot at a World Title!!

ISKA European Title Fight
Venue: The New Bingley Hall, Hockley in Brimingham.

LEIGH’S INFAMOUS ENTRANCE…

FIGHT PHOTOS

Leigh Edlin v Michele Botezatu 4
Leigh Edlin v Michele Botezatu 2
Leigh Edlin v Michele Botezatu 1

Leigh being crowned the New ISKA European Champion!

THE FIGHT VIDEOS





Leigh Posted on Facebook straight after the fight:
“I would just like to say that I am astounded by the support that I have been given tonight. After having had one of the toughest years I can remember, with some real tough problems at work and then losing my dad recently, this is the boost I need. I can’t thank you all enough and I genuinely mean that. I have some VERY special friends 🙂 “

With well over 100 supporters from Lincoln and the Chao Phraya Academy, traveling to Birmingham to support Leigh’s fight!

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ISKA European Champion

Promoter: Black Widow Martial Arts
Images by: Trevor Gibbs Photography & Karl Kennedy
Videos by: Gareth Howells

Last Man Standing

Last Man Standing

Please support our Kru (Instructor) who is fighting for the ISKA European Title!!
SEE KRU FOR TICKETS

LAST MAN STANDING 3K KO TOURNAMENT & SUPER FIGHTS SATURDAY
13/04/13

This years LAST MAN STANDING 3K KO TOURNAMENT under Full Thai Rules will be contested at 62KG max from Birmingham’s biggest new venue The Bingley Hall in Hockley Birmingham.

The Bingley Hall is a state of the art 2000 seat/standing venue located at the heart of Birmingham Central. The venue offers everything from onsite bars and hot food to ample car/coach parking facilities for over 600 vehicles! There are no obstructions and the ring can be clearly viewed from anywhere in the venue. The show will feature dancers, fireworks, laser lights large TV screens, chill out areas and most importantly the strongest card to take place in the Midlands to date!

A CLASS FULL THAI RULES 62KG MAX
1) Carlton Lieu (Team Tieu) ISKA English Champion & Ringmasters Champion
2) Ross George (Kaang Raang) ISKA Commonwealth Champion
3) Matt McKeown (Black Diamond) WRSA English & ISKA Midland Area Champion
4) Ricky Sewell (Liams Gym) British Champion
5) Sean Clancy (Siam Warriors) ISKA Irish Champion
6) Angelo “Devilman” Campoli (Italy) Italian no1 & Yokkao Extreme Winner
7) Anthony Ferguson (Pumped Gym) European Champion
8) Brian Totty (The Griphouse) Scottish Champion

RESERVE MATCH
9) Jack Cooper (Middlesbrough Fight Academy / Porpromin Muay Thai Thailand)
10) Jack Battershall (Shin Kick) ISKA Southern Area Champion

ISKA European Title Fight
Leigh Edlin (Chao Phraya) V Diego Santuccio (Italy)

A CLASS
Reece Crooke (Evolution) V Joseph Lasari (Italy)

ISKA Super Heavyweight Midland Area Title
Chris Cooper (Black Widow) V Andre Groce (Firewalkers)

Just added to the undercard:

Lucien Alleyne (Black Widow) V Thai Hoang (Team Tieu)
This will be a great fight between two very talented young fighters expect fireworks and a great display of Muay Thai.

Naqqash Khan (Black Widow) V Glenn Sweetman (Corefit)
Another great fight between local lads just added to the card.

We will also be releasing match ups shortly for Iman Barlow, Jose Valera, Jon Greenwood and many other top names.

Tickets are now on sale and we’ve already started selling VIP tables for this event so book yours now!

£600 VIP Table for x10 people including x3 course meal & waitress service
£60 VIP Table Seat including x3 course meal & waitress service
£30 Adult Standard
£15 Junior Standard

Doors Open at 4.00PM / First Fight at 4.30PM