Pro contract on the line for fighters

FRIDAY, JULY 13: Two of Bermuda’s san shou fighters will have an opportunity to impress for pro contracts this weekend in Florida.

Jermal Woolridge, Sentwali Woolridge and Samir Furqan will be competing this weekend at the 14th International Chinese Martial Arts Championships at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida.

This event will provide the opportunity for event promoter Nick Scrima to see the fighters first hand so that they can be considered for the World San Da League professional circuit to be launched later this year.

Master Scrima has already expressed an interest in both Jermal and Sentwali for the pro league and this event will provide him with an opportunity to see the fighters compete first hand.

Jermal is presently off island once again preparing for his match-up at Extreme Couture MMA Gym in Ontario, Canada.

This fight will serve as a warm-up match for his main priority this year, the Sanda World Cup taking place in China in October.

Jermal, who qualified for the World Cup by winning a bronze medal at the World Wushu Championships in Turkey in October last year, will be looking to avenge his first home soil loss in his last fight against Marcelo Jones of OAMA in Ontario, Canada at Fight Night XIV at the Berkeley Institute earlier this year.

Furqan, 18, will be competing in the Junior World Wushu Championships in Macau, China in September, will be using this high calibre event to measure his preparation for the tournament.

He is fresh off a first round TKO victory against Shayne Dejardais of MAS Muay Thai from Ontario when they clashed at Fight Night XIV.

Sentwali, who won Kickboxer of the Night honours at Fight Night XIV after an impressive win over MAS` Marc Hare will be looking to impress enough to be considered for the pro league debut event which presently is scheduled for early September. 

Garon Wilkinson, Bermuda Sanshou Association president, will accompany the trio.

Accomplished san shou fighter Talia Iris will serve as a second in the trio`s corner.