Kickboxer, 38, to fight for a British title

By ADAM LAZZARI

DESPITE taking up kickboxing just three years ago at the age of 35, Wisbech man Chris Knott is preparing to fight for a British title.

Knott, a member of the King's Lynn-based Cobra Academy of Kickboxing, will fight for the European Federation of Kickboxing British veteran's title for 35 to 40-year-olds.

He will compete at the Dome Kelham Hall, Newark on October 17, when there will be two world, two European and two British title fights plus 10 supporting bouts.

He takes on the home club's Micky Blackburn.

Knott said: "I'm training hard and feeling good. Things are going well for me and I'm feeling confident.

"I started going kickboxing training to just keep fit after I stopped playing football, I didn't expect I would enter any fights and I certainly didn't expect to be fighting for a British title."

Knott trains at his club three times a week and goes for a six-mile run at least twice a week.

Sunday training sessions at the Cobra Academy are known as 'hell Sundays.'

Fighters are put through 15 rounds of full-contact sparring and also body conditioning and abdominal muscle work-outs.

Instructor Dell Mann said: "I leave a sick bucket outside the gym. It's a very tough workout and Chris gives it everything in training.

"I've been amazed by what he has achieved since he's come to me. He has a real love of kickboxing and that is why he's finding some success."

Knott has been given hit title after impressing European Federation selectors in his last two fights.

Mann said: "I put him forward for the title shot and I really believe he can do it."

Knott's fight will be filmed by the fight television network www.p4tv.com

Two other members of the Cobra Academy, Kurt Paull and boxer Ryan Bennett, will be fighting in support bouts at the event.

* One hundred and fifty Knott supporters have already bought tickets for the fight and further tickets are available by calling 07952 036732.