ISKA World Championship Kickboxing
Date: 8 November 2008
Location: Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, Ireland
ISKA World Light-middleweight title 72.5kg FC
Fran Zuccala (England) v Tommy McCafferty (Northern Ireland)
Winner Tommy McCafferty points decision
Supporting card:
Daiel Quigley (PTs Gym) def. Jonathan Stewart (Ashby KO) TKO R3
Jay McVeigh (PTs Gym) def. James Dunpy (Top Pro) Pts.
David Walsh (Body Shots) def. Dee McGuinness (PTs) TKO R3
Michael Boyle (PTs Gym) def. Ray Dowd (Top Pro) TKO R3
Kyle McDowel (Body Shots) def. Stephen McFadden (PTs) TKO R3
Martin McMenamin (PTs) def. James Darcy (Black Panther) Pts.
Vaidas Natkus (PTs Gym) def. Jiri Kott (Black Dragon) Pts.
Mick Timmons (Top Pro) def. Kevin Anderson (PTs Gym) Pts.
Natalie McCarron (PTs Gym) def. Louise Rourke (TMAS) Pts.
Promoter: Patrick Toland
Medical Suspensions: Jonathan Stewart (Ashby KO) Dee McGuinness (PTs Gym) Ray Dowd (Top Pro) Stephen McFadden (PTs Gym) received 28 day medical suspensions and will not be fit to compete until 6th December 2008
Contact: Patrick Toland - 00 353 871 274 300
Web site: www.ifka.co.uk
Event report
Zuccala and McCafferty thrill a packed house with the fight of the year. Fran Zuccala faced Tommy McCafferty defending his ISKA World Light-middleweight title in front of a sold out crowd at the Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny, Ireland on the 8th November.Promoted by Paddy Toland this fight had everything, the young contender stepping up to fight the experience Champion there was drama, controversy, blood, sweat and tears just like a Rocky movie. Twelve action packed rounds that swung one way then the other and earned both men a standing ovation from the thousand plus spectators. From the sound of the first bell McCafferty pounced on Zuccala backing him into his own corner with a barrage of fast accurate punches and kicks. Zuccala settled in the second round and stung McCafferty with some heavy counter punches. In the third it nearly all when wrong both men were leaning into their punches after a close quarter exchange Zuccala was cut on the nose and complained it was due to a clash of heads he had complained that he had been butted earlier in the round. As Zuccala was checked by the medical team, the referee John Blackledge consulted with the ringside judges who agreed the head clash was accidental there was no foul play on the part of McCafferty. Zuccala was cleared to fight on as the cut was minor and did not affect his vision or breathing the third round ended without further drama. In fourth and fifth rounds McCafferty pulled ahead outworking Zuccala with a variety of punch kick combinations and some accurate short back kicks. McCafferty was racking up the points in the sixth until the last thirty seconds of the round Zuccala landed a solid one-two punch combo followed by a left leg head kick and for the first time in the fight McCafferty was on his back foot stunned and trying tie up in a clinch Zuccala managed to land some more hurtful punches before the bell and McCafferty walked back to his corner on unsteady legs. Zuccala was now in the driving seat and dominated rounds seven and eight the snap had gone out of McCafferty strikes and he soaked up some heavy punches. Both men were feeling the pace in rounds nine and ten McCafferty regained some of his rhythm winning his share of the rounds but both his eyes were marked and swollen. The eleventh round was incredible god only knows were McCafferty found the energy but he opened up with explosive kicks the impact of which could probably be heard in the next town. Six or seven unanswered kicks cracked against Zuccala’s body and arms sapping his strength. McCafferty’s second wind continued in the twelfth round, he pressed forward taking the fight to Zuccala urged on by his hometown fans that by now were so loud they could probably be heard in England. In the last twenty seconds Zuccala landed series of heavy punches that had McCafferty reeling but he stayed on his feet to hear the final bell. Everyone in the hall was standing and applauding both men as they embraced and congratulated each other. The announcement was made and the new ISKA World Light-middleweight Champion of the World Tommy McCafferty by unanimous decision and gracious in defeat Fran Zuccala presented him with the Championship belt. Highlights of the fight will be broadcast by Irish cable TV channel Setanta Nationwide as part of a documentary about Tommy McCafferty and Paddy Toland’s Kickboxing team.
