Full-contact, mixed martial arts action is set to explode at Berkeley Institute Gymnasium this Saturday.
Teams from Barbados and Ohio, U.S. will join local san shou fighters in the ring to compete for titles in four distinct weight categories at Sanshou Showdown.
The night will also feature a six-round boxing bout starring Bermuda's own NABC Middleweight World Champion Teresa Perozzi (5-2) against former WBC middleweight world champion Yvonne Reis (6-11-1).
Perozzi was supposed to fight lightly regarded Kimberly Harris, but the opponent had to pull out after she broke her thumb.
Perozzi is using the bout as a tune-up before she takes on Swedish bombshell Asa Sandell in September title defence.
Reuben Bean, promoter and president of Jiketsu Martial Productions, is anticipating another exciting night of high-octane mixed martial arts action.
Bean is also the vice-president of the Bermuda Sanshou Association (BSA) who hosted Fight Fest last November.
"We are thrilled to once again bring Bermuda a night of hard-hitting, full-contact, mixed martial arts action. Following the success of last year's Fight Fest at Number One Shed, we wanted to showcase the improved techniques of the fighters and the sport as a whole.
"Bean added: This is one of the major steps towards BSA's goal of qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing."
The event will feature a 12-bout team format consisting of four weight categories (lightweight, middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight) where one fighter from each team will compete for the title belt in their respective weight category.
Each bout will have three, two-minute rounds and each fighter will have two fights with the winner determined by the points system.
A five-point must system will be used which leads for an exciting team event. A knockout will be awarded to the winner at a point spread of 15-0.
The Bermuda Sanshou Association team consists of Nathan Dill, Sentwali Woolridge, Leroy Maxwell and Jermal Woolridge. The Taningco Academy of Martial Arts (TAMA) team from Ohio features Joseph Smith, Rob Dejene, Montez Watson and Lee Keegan along with their coach Manuel Taningco. Team Barbados of the International Chameleon Combat Karate Federation (ICCKF) will bring Oneal Chase, Romell Ellis, David McDonald and Corey Weithers along with coach Dr. Albert Best.
