ACOMB-based Thai kick-boxer Richard Cadden added to his growing reputation at the weekend with a sensational first round knockout to claim the 62kg ISKA British title.

Twenty-five-year-old Cadden, an instructor at the Bad Company Gym in Leeds, completely blew away opponent Mark Brown (Cumbria) in front of a packed Leeds Town Hall crowd.

Cadden, who is trained by the highly-rated Richard Smith, needed just two-and-a-half minutes to finish the job, flooring Brown three times on his way to the title.

"I had seen him fight one of the lads from our gym before so I knew he was an experienced fighter, who would be tough and dangerous, but it was great to win," said Cadden, who adds the title to the WAKO-PRO belt he won back in April.

"It was better than I ever could have expected. I felt really strong and powerful out there.

"When I caught him with a roundhouse to the side of his body I saw him wince slightly and I knew I had hurt him."

After a tentative start, with both fighters testing each other, Cadden struck with devastating effect.

Two roundhouse kicks to Brown's body brought an 'eight-count' from the referee, before the Cumbrian hit the canvas when he walked on to a straight jab from Cadden.

Sensing the victory, Cadden began to up the tempo, knocking the experienced Brown down for a second time after a straight right jab and a kick to the body.

Cadden finished off the contest with a series of punishing knees to the head of Brown, leaving on the canvas for the third time.

However, there will be little chance of Cadden dwelling on the victory as he is due to fight in an international event in Carlisle in four weeks time.

And with Smith, the current inter-continental champion, as his guiding light, Cadden is hoping to make the next step up.

"Richard has fought more than 50 times internationally and has fought all over the world," said Cadden. "To match that would be excellent."

The contest at the Leeds Town Hall proved to be fruitful one for the Bad Company Gym, as the won four other fights and drew one.

Updated: 09:13 Tuesday, October 02, 2001