Knockout night at Knockdown Lockdown

Sunghyun Lee of Korea secured World Kickboxing Network welterweight title against Bangor’s Johnny "Swift" Smith of Northern Ireland on Saturday November 27 at "Knockdown Lockdown" at Stormont Hotel in Belfast. The pair went head to head during five rounds of an all-action spectacular producing fireworks and drama in every round. Both men were of the canvas with The Korean in the 2nd due to a jab and the N’Irish man with the heavier shot in the fourth with a knee strike.

As the final bell rang, one judge scored the fight in favour of representative of the country-host, while two other judges gave it to the guest from Korea Sunghyun Lee, who consequently was awarded the victory by split decision.

With the win "The Korean Monster" Sunghyun Lee updated his record to 56-9-1, 17 KOs and now adds the prestigious WKN belt to his collection, previously earning RISE middleweight and lightweight titles.

"Swift" Smith suffered the first defeat in his professional kickboxing career and drops to 10-1, 6 KOs. The Bangor man is currently the WKN Intercontinental welterweight champion and made a successful defence as well as formally being the WKN amateur world champion.

Coach, Billy Murray vowed in the ring after the defeat of Swift to Sunghyun Lee - "I will help Johnny Smith become a world Professional Champion and will not stop until Johnny achieves his dream. I’ll not give up until he gets to be a WKN Professional World Champion, and hopefully that will be against, Sunghyun Lee of Korea in a rematch."

There’s a new champion in town, Dundonald teenager, Jay Snoddon faced Italian, Ranieri Cingolani for the WKN European K1 title at Billy Murray’s Knockdown Lockdown event. The 18 year-old Snoddon, had previously beaten a tough Maltease opponent in September to take the WKN international title. Ten weeks later, he was as hungry as ever to add another belt to his collection.

The first three rounds were full on action from both the N.Irish and Italian fighter. Snoddon came shooting out on the first bell with a real intensity, he connected with a flying knee that made his opponent sit up and recognise that he was in for a tough night. Cingolani fought right back and gained some control in the clinch. In the fourth round Snoddon stepped it up a gear, connecting with a left roundhouse kick to the Italians body followed by a left hook to the exact same spot, visibly hurting Cingolani. Snoddon launch an onslaught of punches, kicks and knees causing the crowd to rise to a crescendo and left the Italian in the corner as the bell sounded for the end of round 4. The Italian’s coach decided his fight had enough and refused to come out for the final bell. There was a new kickboxing supremo in town and his name is ‘Jay Snoddon' the newly crowned WKN European champion.

Grace Goody, from Lisburn, had a bad night at the office when she faced experienced German Kubra Akdut for the WKN Bantamweight European title. The German’s experience and power shone through with ProKick head coach Billy Murray retiring his fighter Goody at the end of the fourth round. This was a big step up for Grace, but she displayed a real respect for her opponent presenting her with her new WKN European title belt.

"Knockdown Lockdown" was promoted by former four-division world champion Billy Murray. The "made in Prokick" event marked the return of World Championship Kickboxing to Northern Ireland.

The list of special guests at the black-tie formal dinner show included WKN World President Stephane Cabrera, the first in history WKN World champion Cezary Podraza, former featherweight and lightweight Full Contact world champion Gary Hamilton and former undefeated Full-Contact world champion Carl Emery.

Prokick: Knockdown Lockdown results

WKN World welterweight title, oriental rules
Sunghyun Lee (Korea) def. Johnny Smith (Northern Ireland) by split decision

WKN European super bantamweight amateur title, oriental rules
Kubra Akdut (Germany) def. Grace Goody (Northern Ireland) by RTD (R4 at 2:00)

WKN European featherweight amateur title, oriental rules
Jay Snoddon (Northern Ireland) def. Ranieri Cingolani (Italy) by RTD (R4 at 2:00)