Woolridge win puts him in contention for World Sanda League

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18: Sentwali Woolridge continued his winning ways by securing a unanimous points decision victory over veteran Kent Bazard of the Bahamas in his full contact Sanda match at the International Chinese Martial Arts Championships in Orlando, Florida.

Woolridge fought a very technical fight against the Bahamas head coach and increased his chances of being selected for the World Sanda League professional debuting later this year.

Woolridge dominated his opponent from the opening bell and established himself as the more skilful fighter by landing punch-kick combos, knees in the clinch and takedowns.

The winner of each round is declared at the conclusion of each two-minute interval and Sentwali won every round to secure the win and Championship Belt awarded to the winner of each fight of the night.

There were a total of about 20 matches on the fight card.

Up-and-coming 18-year old Samir Furqan lost via TKO in the third round to his much bigger and stronger opponent Jo Monk.

The youngster weathered some powerful hand combinations by his opponent in the first and second round until the fight was eventually stopped halfway through the third round.

Furqan was able to get the better of his opponent from close range and landed some great body shots and takedowns but had trouble when he got on the end of his opponent’s powerful punches.

The match served as a great warm-up for September’s Junior World Wushu Championships to be held in Macau, China where he will be facing opponents closer to his weight and between the ages of 15 and 18.

Unfortunately, heavyweight fighter Jermal Woolridge did not compete as his proposed opponent Osei Xavier picked up an injury before the match.

The Bermuda team had actually seen Xavier in action previously in Bermuda in 2008 when he squared off against Bermuda Sanshou Association fighter Reyel Bowen where he was victorious.

Promoter Nick Scrima did his best to find a suitable replacement but could not do so in time for the bout.

Scrima indicated that he was impressed with what he had seen of Jermal on previous occasions and will definitely consider him and Sentwali for the professional league.

Garon Wilkinson is Bermuda Sanshou Association president and coach.