First-timer kicks contest on its head

One week on and giant Wanganui kickboxer Kyle Gallacher is still not over the sores from his hard-hitting performance at the Elite Thai Kickboxing's King in the Ring tournament.

The 2m-plus Assassin's Guild fighter very nearly turned Auckland's kickboxing community upside down when he came up just one victory short in the eight-man cruiserweight elimination tournament, held at a packed ASB Stadium and broadcast later on Sky TV this week.

Fighting for the first time as a professional, Gallacher beat Pati Afoa of Elite Thai Kickboxing and then won his semifinal against Jamie Eades (ETK Northshore) after an absolute war.

He injured his right ankle in the first round of the Eades fight, making even walking a problem, and it proved the difference against Alpha Muay Thai's TY Williams in the final.

Williams certainly showed strong fitness and desire, but Gallacher said there was no question, given the quality of opponents, that he had the harder road to the final.

"It was the first time I've fought in three-minute rounds. Going through two epic wars like that, it was pretty intense," he said. "I still managed to push through and give it a good go."

Unable to use his devastating kicks to full effect, Gallacher tried to keep the fight at a distance and set up shots with his knees. Wellington-based Williams pressured and found openings, enough to earn him a unanimous decision.

Disappointed, and paying a price (his injuries will keep him from an upcoming fight in Melbourne), the kickboxer still thrived on the challenge of trying to win three times in one evening while only being sure of one opponent.

"It was a lot different. I visualised fighting the hardest guy there, then worked on cardio and fitness. They were looking to do the King in the Ring every year and I'd like to be in all of them. It was just the craziest thing I've ever done and just an awesome experience."

Back home after a brief stay in Palmerston North for employment, Gallacher has been training at the Wanganui Judo Club as he forms a partnership with another local fighter, Craig Mercer.

Both hope to expand their skill sets and go into Mixed Martial Arts as a career.