ALL-ROUND success and potential is flaring for world kickboxing champion Tony Dias.
Besides staging his first show named The Coliseum under his new T-Bone Promotions standard at York’s Energise centre tomorrow, Dias has opened a new kickboxing club in Haxby as part of his expanding United Martial Arts College in Malton.
The new classes at the Haxby Sports and Social Club will be run alongside two of Dias’ club instructors, Jack Rhodes and world champion Stu Phillips.
Classes are held each Wednesday for little dragons, ninja kids and adults. For details phone Dias on 07956 612667 or Phillips on 07703 810248.
Phillips, meanwhile, is among the star names on tomorrow’s show when he will fight for the first time under his new Stu ‘The Hunter’ Phillips name as part of his sponsorship with York-based Hunters the Estate Agents.
Other UMA fighters competing will be Nik Pavlovets and Lewis Smith, while the T-Bone Promotions card will feature Keegan Green and Jamie Kirby from Longs Blackbelt School and Legions’ Thai Boxing gym contingent Catherine Phipps, Fran Kitson, Gary Benton, Dean McQuade, Jordon Carr and Ian Houillebecq.
UMAC fighters Chris Gill, Connor Gore, Andrew Garside and Tamara Tavares, who was appearing in her first major tournament, all won titles at the WKC British championships in Manchester.
There was a bronze medal-winning display by Pavlovets after he lost in the semi-finals to a reigning world champion, while Smith - likewise beaten by a world champion - still impressed enough to gain a place in the British kickboxing team.
UMAC founder and chief instructor Dias is to defend his world title in Portugal.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here