PREVIOUS EVENTS 2001





"THE P.N.E. GARDEN" - (Vancouver, Canada) February 17th, 2001


B.C. Promoter Gerry Gionco hosted his first large Kickboxing/Muay Thai event in recent years on Saturday February 17th. The event was called "The PNE Garden" and it was sanctioned by the WKA. The main event was a WKA North American Cruiserweight Muay Thai Title bout between Vancouver's Jeff Thornhill and Calgary's Nick Ring, trained by Ajarn Mike Miles. Thornhill has been a world traveller as of late, having trained and fought in Japan (working with the K-1 organization) and recently just getting back from training at the Fairtex Gym in San Francisco, USA. Details of the bout were literally worked out only days before the event (the length of rounds was undecided until a couple of days before the fight. The bout consisted of 5 rounds of 3 minutes.). Thornhill was heavily favored to win in his home town. With 14 days notice, Ring took the fight and the title bout (WKA North American Cruiserweight Muay Thai Title) was a go. Both athletes weighed in at 187 lbs. and Thornhill looked larger upstairs whereas Ring was better developed in the leg department. To open the bout, Ring did his ceremonial Wai Kru. The partisan crowd and Thornhill were not impressed with the performance. After completion of the ceremony it was time to rumble.

In round one Ring took a few cut kicks to the inside of the front thigh from Thornhill. Ring returned the favor and scored effectively. In the first round both athletes fell into a clinch and Thornhill delivered the first knee. Ring responded with a series of highly effective knees. Upon breaking it was clear that Thornhill did not want to stay on the inside and clinch so he used the strategy of hitting and moving.

In the second round Ring dropped his foe with a knee. Thornhill got up and the bout continued. Ring got inside and delivered another knee which hit Thornhill on the solar plexus but was suddenly heavily disputed by a few officials and Thornhill, claiming a low blow. Thornhill was given time to recoup from the blow. With approximately 10 seconds left in the round, Ring pursued his opponent but did not have time to try and inflict any further damage.

In the third round, Ring was warned by his cornermen to stay away from the knees due to the controversial call in the second round and Ring came out fast and furious. Ring again dropped Thornhill in the third round but the Vancouver native got up and the bout continued. Suddenly Ring cornered his foe and let loose with a barrage of punches that spectators say, "put Thornhill out on his feet." Knowing Thornhill was in trouble, Ring swiftly stepped in and took out both of Thornhill's legs with a cut kick. Thornhill did not get up and Ring won the bout by 3rd round KO. Nick Ring adds the WKA North American Cruiserweight Title to his list of accomplishments. "It was a fun fight and Jeff is a good athlete," the media shy Ring is quoted as saying.

Ring now prepares for April 30th and his scheduled fight against a Thai Boxer from Holland. The bout will be broadcast on TSN at a later date.

An athlete of exceptional talent on the card featured Vancouver's Blake 'The Blade' Lirette. Promoters watch out for this kid!