Mercer scores KO on debut

Assassins Guild MMA's Craig Mercer had the perfect start to his kickboxing career after his left leg head kick KO'd Bruce Healey on Saturday night.

The highlight reel knock-out at the Eruption 3 card in New Plymouth was the striking-sport debut for the judo exponent Mercer, who stepped past novice class, where results are not recorded, to go straight into amateur competition.

Wanting an impressive showing in the 88kg contest, Mercer earned a standing eight count on Healey earlier in the bout after forcing him into the corner with an uppercut, followed by a hook and knees from the clinch.

Then in the second round he set Healey up with an inside leg kick to bring his hands down, before catching him "on the button" with a high kick.

"The house came down and I jumped up on the ropes and went bananas. It couldn't have gone better.

"The doctor came and saw him and asked where he was. He thought he might be in Feilding."

While a different kettle of fish to his judo career, Mercer said having that past experience still calmed his nerves, while the training with fellow Guild member Kyle Gallacher helped his techniques.

"I think it went quite well. Did the basics and put together most of my combinations."

Guild member Andrew Grey also made his debut in a non-counting 86kg novice fight with Terry Marsh and did well.

Jesse Johnston was scheduled to fight fellow Wanganui kickboxer Tamati Karaitiana of TPK Whanganui, but pulled out after the attempted weight cut.