Three Muay Thai fighters were crowned SA and Africa champions at the Thaiholics Fight Promotions (TFP) Battle Royale, at the Sunningdale Sports Complex, on Saturday, May 11.

Thaiholics Cape Town’s, Brian Ncube, from Milnerton was crowned the new World Muay Thai Professional-Amateur South African featherweight champion after a unanimous decision win over Armien Altaaf.

Pride Fighting Academy’s Justin February became the new WMO South African middleweight champion after a points decision win against Durban’s Stavon Lewis.

Thaiholic’s professional fighter, Shane Deacon made it five wins and one loss, as he was crowned the new WMO catchweight Africa champion, after a technical win over Mamelodi Warrior’s Thabo Chauke.

Event organiser, Nic Radley congratulated all of the fighters, clubs and teammates involved in the success of TFP’s ninth event.

He said the event took about three months to organise, from signing fighters, to booking a venue, to promoting the event, etc.

“It takes a lot of man power, from friends who are equally passionate to grow the sport in the country,” he said.

“Ncube and Altaaf was a rematch from last year’s match. It was an exciting match, Ncube controlled the fight very well and became the new champion,” said Radley.

“Febuary and Lewis was a great fight. Tough fight for both. It made an exciting fight for the fans. Both are extremely strong athletes. Lots of action, lots of big kicks and lots of heavy hands. Congratulations to Justin February on becoming the new champion,” he said.

Radley said they are preparing to bring down some fighters from Angola for TFP10, scheduled to take place in August.

“Shane Deacon versus Thabo Chauke was also an exciting fight. Congratulations to Shane Deacon on becoming the new African champion... We have some exciting things on the cards for Shane and we will be releasing soon,” he said.

“We have a huge support team from the gym, from the family and my wife. Everybody plays an integral part. We are grateful to have a strong team to put on these shows.

“We have a date for August, with some plans to bring up fighters from Angola. It will be another exciting fight and a few more title fights.

“We absolutely love the female Muay Thai fights too. We always try and push to have as many on the cards as possible. Unfortunately one of the two fights was cancelled due to a missed weight and medical reason. We wish all of the fighters a speedy recovery. The women always put on a great show so we try and push it as much as possible,” said Radley.

Two years ago, Ncube lost against Armien in a pro-am fight. He worked his way back to the ranks with two wins. Prior to Saturday’s fight, his game plan was to build up from the last fight.

“It was a good fight. We prepared very hard in an eight-week camp. The game plan was to be sharp and keep him away. I knew he was going to go for the head kick so I had to lookout for that and be sharp overal to execute the gameplan,” said Ncube.

February, from Pride Fighting Academy (PFA), said the game plan was to train to the limits, to defend well and to punish his opponent.

“I am feeling very good. It was a tough fight. Stavon pushed my body to things I haven’t done before in fights. The fight was never really about the belt. As long as I gave him a good fight, than I am happy,” he said.

“The game was just to put my body through the most in camp. To get fit and make sure no one outlast me or out-cardio me. If you can’t bang with me, there is no power for me. So it was to condition myself. I knew I needed to be comfortable where he is comfortable, to focus on everything, whether he changes his game plan, I was ready for everything,” said February.

Three weeks prior to the event, Iron Tiger’s Timothy Steenkamp, from Blue Downs, asked for the fight in short notice. He was matched with Rafel Wozniak, from Thaiholics, in the professional catchweight bout. Their fight lasted for four rounds after a kick to the rib cage called for a corner stoppage.

“The first round was a bit chaotic. I needed to come down. Instead of just attacking, I changed the pace and let him come in. I set up traps and it worked. I kind of saw his midsection was open. I always go for the head but it was not even necessary so I went for the body instead,” said Steenkamp.

Fighter and assistant coach at Iron Tiger, Michael Bezuidenhout congratulated his teammates on a successful night out in Sunningdale.

The new African champ, Deacon’s said he remained calm and assessed his opponent right from the first bell in the professional catchweight title fight.

“To the people that want to dethrone me, keep training hard, because I am going to keep training hard. I always want a hard fight, when it is not that hard the training doesn’t pay too much. Of course the training is always insurance for consistency and hard work. But for people that want to try, please come, I accept all challenges,” said Deacon.

Thaiholics Fight Promotions Fight Results:

Amateur fight: 56kg Super Bantamweight: Paris Lewis (Domination) beat Madison Krause (Brothers in Combat Institute) via unanimous decision.

Amateur fight: 58kg Featherweight: Charlie-Hawk Vos (Thaiholics) beat Jayden Holmes (Elite Muay Thai) via split decision.

Amateur fight: 61kg Lightweight: Likhaya Hansie (Top Primate) beat Andre Delport (Thaiholics) via unanimous decision

Amateur fight: 63.5kg Super Lightweight: Yann Lenvo (Elite MMA) defeats Musa Ismail (BCI) via unanimous decision

Amateur fight: 56kg Super Bantamweight: Megan Brown (Thaiholics) beat Tyler Warrin (Elite Muay Thai) via unanimous decision

Amateur fight: 72.5kg Middleweight: Phillip Cronje (Monkon) beat Ali Nyerere (Iron Tiger) via unanimous decision

Pro-Am fight: 67kg Welterweight: Nkuli Sibanyoni (Elite Muay Thai) beats George Thanathara (Thaiholics) via unanimous decision

Pro-Am fight: 95kg Heavyweight: Yusuf Gharbi (Pride Fighting Academy) beat Matthew Harley (Elite Muay Thai) via TKO in the first round.

WMO Pro-Am title fight: 58kg Featherweight: Brian Ncube (Thaiholics) beat Altaaf Armien (CPT Wrestling for MMA) via unanimous decision.

WMO Pro-Am title fight: 72.5kg Middleweight: Justin February (PFA) vs Stavon Lewis (Domination) by unanimous decision.

Pro fight: 65kg Catchweight: Timothy Steenkamp (Iron Tiger) beat Rafel Wozniak (Thaiholics) via corner stoppage in the fourth round.

WMO Pro title fight: 69.85 Super Welterweight: Shane Deacon (Thaiholics) beat Thabo Chauke (Mamelodi Warriors) via forfeit (unable to answer bell for the third round).

In the 72.5kg middleweight amateur fight, right, Phillip Cronje, from Monkon, beat Ali Nyerere, of Iron Tiger, via a unanimous points decision.

One the left, Justin February beat Durban’s Stavon Lewis for the vacant WMO South African professional-amateur middleweight title. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

George Thanathara, from Thaiholics, throws a right hand punch against Nkuli Sibanyoni, from Gauteng, in the 67kg division. Sibanyoni, from Elite Muay Thai, won on points. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

Rafel Wozniak showing some respect to the sport as his opponent, Timothy Steenkamp waits for him in his corner, ahead of their professional catchweight fight in Sunningdale on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

The Thaiholics camp threw in the towel to call it a night for their fighter, Rafel Wozniak, right, after a bloody affair against Iron Tiger’s Timothy Steenkamp. The fight was stopped in the fourth round. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

Shane Deacon continued his winning ways after Thabo Chauke, from Mamelodi Warriors, forfeit in the third round. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

Shane Deacon, from Thaiholics, is the new WMO professional champ after beating Thabo Chauke in the 69.85 super welterweight division. Picture: Lonwabo Marele