Samir returns for Waterfront Hall showdown
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Samir’s last visit to Northern Ireland was when he faced Prokick’s home grown legend Gary Hamilton. SA3956
NORTHERN Ireland is set to play host to one of the most eagerly awaited kickboxing comebacks in recent times, come December.
Legend Mohamed Samir will take to the ring at the Waterfront Hall on December 1 against Englishman Shawn Burton. It will be the first fight for Samir since he was sensationally stopped, for the first time following 106 consecutive wins, this spring. The defeat hurt the inspirational Frenchman so much that he considered retiring.
But promoter and Irish kickboxing figurehead Billy Murray convinced him that the crowd in the Waterfront Hall would offer the sort of support a talent like Samir deserved and secured him for the December bill.
"It's brilliant to have him back in Northern Ireland," said Murray. "He has been such an integral part of modern kickboxing folklore - and indeed has fought here several times during his incredible century plus of wins. We've been talking to his people for a number of weeks and I'm delighted we can announce his place on the Kickmas bill today."
Burton is no slouch as an opponent. Training out of Lincoln's KBA gym, he is a hard, hard puncher and former ISKA division European light welterweight champion. He has had 35 fights, with 28 wins, 18 by KO.
“I think it's a great opportunity to share the ring with a legend like Mohamed Samir and a chance I am thankful to have been given," he said. "I am not going to Ireland to lose, I am going to make a fight of it and my hope is to cause a major upset. I also hope to make new friends and new connections!"
For more details on the remarkable card at Kickmas, December 1 in the Waterfront Hall, see www.prokick.com
