Thai Boxing Tournament is Knockout Success
Hundreds of Thai boxing fans flocked to Renfrew for the first ever K1 Max knockout tournament in Scotland.The Normandy Hotel was the setting for the prestigious event and top stars from Renfrewshire and further afield were in action.
Click on "read more" below to find out how it all went down.
Kris Carslaw, a student at Lex Easdon's Paisley Kick Boxing Club, was the first local contender to take part in front of the 850-strong crowd.
The 20-year-old was up against Glenrothes hitman, 21-year-old Scott Ness, in Thai boxing bout.
Unfortunately after three hard-fought rounds Kris lost the decision but showed that he is a tough fighter who did himself proud.
Despite the defeat organisers predict a bright future for Carslaw.
The next bouts were fought under Muay Thai rules.
Johnstone man Andrew O'Brien was up against one of the most experienced Thai fighters in Scotland, Mark Grainger from Kirkcaldy.
Andrew, 26, took the fight to Grainger from the first bell and caught the Fife man with a stunning kick to the head which resulted in a standing eight count for his opponent.
Grainger showed what a seasoned fighter he is by staying out of trouble until the end of the first round.
Rounds two and three saw both fighters stand toe to toe and the crowd were on their feet to cheer the men on.
However, in round four, Andrew took a body kick to the mid section in the closing seconds and was unable to continue for the fifth and final round.
The winner of the knockout tournament on the night was Ally Smith of Ayrshire, who was crowned K1 King of Scotland.
Event organisers Bobby Quinn and John O'Brien were delighted with the success of the event.
And they praised the fighters, trainers, staff at the Normandy Hotel and the spectators for their support.
They also thanked Wully McFadyen of Dermart Tattoos in Paisley and Liz Fulton from the Village Cafe in Linwood for sponsoring the tournament.
K1 Max is an eight-man knockout tournament with fighters weighing no more than 70kg.
The K1 fighting format brings together martial artists from different styles who compete under K1 rules.
Highlights from the event will be shown on Sky Sports at a later date.
