Canadians looking for revenge in Battle of Bermuda

Saturday night’s alright for fighting, especially if you’re a Bermudian looking to salvage honour against a bunch of invading Canadians.

The Berkeley Institute gym will be the host for Fight Night XIII: The Battle of Bermuda.

Back to challenge Bermuda’s best will be a group of Canadians who were here for Fight Night XII last December.

It didn’t go well for the Canucks as only Jeremy Hawkrigg was able to walk out of the ring with a victory,

But things promise to be different this time as the they will be fighting Muay Thai style against Bermuda’s best instead of traditional boxing.

Hawkrigg will be back to claim another victory on Bermuda soil as he will take on Jermal Woolridge in the headline fight on the 11-bout card.

Six of those 11 bouts will feature Muay Thai fights, with the other card highlight being a world title bout between Canadian Ashley Nichols and Bermudian Talia Iris (see separate story).

Strongest

The only Muay Thai match featuring two residents will be the first fight after the intermission when the Bermuda Karate Institue’s Deondre Morris takes on the Bermuda Sanshou Association’s Shannon Ford.

The evening will open with five boxing matches.

Beer drinking brawler Marc Lonergan will seek to keep his unblemished record as he battles Jerun Gunness.

The headling boxing match will have two Bermudian Jashaun Thomas battling Canadian Cody Adair.

Organizer Nir Sadir said this Fight Night card is one of the strongest he’s put together and fans won’t be disappointed with the quality of the bouts.

Organizer Nir Sadir said this Fight Night card is one of the strongest he’s put together and fans won’t be disappointed with the quality of the bouts.

“This is an evolution because Fight Night has been traditionally about boxing but as contact sport evolves around the world, we have to evolve with it.

Disadvantage

“We are seeing that locally with different gyms locally popping up offering K1, kickboxing and Muay Thai.”

He said the local boxing scene is in flux with Police gym closed and Chucky Renaud’s gym in transition.

“We decided to add kickboxing, which is similar, but more exciting because they are using the legs and the hands.

“This should be a good mix. It will be one better Fight Night’s we’ve had in some time.”

Sadeh said the Canadians were at a disadvantage in the December fights as “they did boxing, but they’re really kickboxers by nature. This is their forte.

“They are well-travelled. They’ve been to Thailand for the World Championships. They compete all the time in Canada and have good records.

“They are not a bunch of green guys. They are all seasoned ring veterans.”

Sadeh said Woolridge is a “big boy’ who is “fast and quick”.