Thaiholics Fight Promotions (TFP) are back with a stacked Muay Thai card.
Full Swing is set to kick off on 14 May at Grandwest Arena, promising all the bells and whistles, belts and barn-burning action with 11 fights on the card.
Headlining the event, Cape Town’s Ncedo Gomba will face off against Italy’s Pasquale Amaroso in a professional bout for the World Muay Thai Organisation’s International Welterweight title as both fighters look to secure their spots among the organisation’s elites, with one eye firmly set on the world title.
The event will see three more pro bouts on the main card, with Angola’s Pedro Cassoma taking on England’s Martin Avery in the co-main event, Cape Town’s Rafel Wozniak and Mathew Marais locking horns and Devin Rae Gouws moving down a division to welcome Aneesha Mayman to the TFP stage.
Rounding out the main card, two national pro-am titles are up for grabs in the male and female super lightweight divisions. Iron Tiger’s Michael Bezuidenhout will welcome Durban’s Sibonelo Ntombela to the ring as Camp Fight’s Zoe Klaassen and Nakaeng’s Kristin Clarke clash for national bragging rights.
On the undercard, 10 amateur fighters will be given the chance to prove their mettle.
As important as it is for professionals and pro-am fighters to be as active as possible, the platform for amateur growth is still needed.
Nicholas Radley, founder of Thaiholics Fight Promotions, said the martial arts game is a long and arduous journey filled with many highs and lows, for which, whether an amateur or professional, they will have had to put in many hours of work with the aim of perfecting their craft.
“I have competed in martial arts since 2005, turning pro in 2011, and have fought across many styles, including Muay Thai, K-1 kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Boxing.”
Having competed for so many promotions over the years, Radley has a deep understanding of the way fighters are treated.
His vision for Thaiholics Fight Promotions (TFP) is to set a new standard in the fight game and to put Muay Thai on the map.
Fighters sacrifice time, effort and so much more, putting their bodies on the line day in and day out.
As a former fighter, turned promoter, Radley wants to make all those sacrifices worth their while.
“At present, we cover all blood tests and doctors’ examinations and, most importantly, we pay our fighters well! Looking ahead, we also have plans to supply them with medical insurance for their fights should they get injured.”
Thaiholic gym had their first event in October last year. They are now presenting their fourth.
Radley said “Muay Thai saved me through many tough times and in doing so, taught me to be a more resilient human being.
I found a love for teaching and helping people early on and I am now in my 11th year of teaching.
“Our training is for those who have a goal to live a healthier life both mentally and physically.
“Not everyone wants to compete but for those that do, we train from an amateur level to professional”.
Michael Bezuidenhout (23), who will be competing in the pro-am super lightweight division for the Pro-am South African Super Lightweight WMO Title against Sibonelo Ntombela said he is extremely excited about the upcoming event.
“I think this one will be an absolute pleasure to watch especially the fact that there are three titles on the line. Each event so far has been better than the previous and the talent (fighters) on the fight card never cease to disappoint.”
Thaiholics and the Muay Thai gym is for all ages.
They teach students from as young as six years old and their oldest members to date is in their 60’s.
Tickets are live via the Quicket web portal. Follow the TFP social pages to stay up to date with all the action as it unfolds.
