One in eye won't halt Anderson

Jono Anderson, gets some wise words from his coach Kyle Gallacher (left) during his winning bout in Porirua, a lead-up to a home fight in the River City Rumble this month.

Wanganui kickboxer Jono Anderson is eagerly awaiting to perform in front of his home crowd in the River City Rumble despite nursing a training injury in the lead-up.

Anderson is fresh from victory over Wellingtonian Lachie Bowker in the Capital Punishment 24 Night of Champions tournament at the Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua late last month. That bout was on the undercard of a South Pacific Professional Muay Thai title bout.

However, while subsequently training with his Assassins Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Gym coach Kyle Gallacher last week, Anderson sustained a heavily bruised eye and nick on the eyebrow.

Anderson said yesterday he was still able to train to his full potential and was confident it would not stand in his way of his first fight in front of a home crowd.

"It was just one of those things,' he said of his injury.

"Kyle and I have lived and trained together for a long time now and we know how far we can push it training between us. Just as Kyle tried a knee to my body, I was ducking down and we were so sweaty his knee slid up my body and connected with my head," Anderson said yesterday.

"It was a pretty decent hit and gave me a black eye and a split on the eyebrow. It's healing fast and hasn't stopped me training. I'm really looking forward to my first fight at home and nothing is going to get in the way of that happening."

Anderson is one of four Assassins Mixed martial Arts Gym fighters to secure confirmed match-ups at the River City Rumble on March 29 in the War Memorial Hall. The popular event traditionally attracts a huge crowd.

Anderson has a confirmed match-up with Shane Wallace from the Four Dragons gym in Upper Hutt, a fighter who ranks as uncharted territory.

"I really don't know much about him, but that's not going to stop me winning.

"There's no way I'm losing, especially at home - I'm pumped and can't wait. Good luck to him, is all I can say," Anderson said.

Clubmate Mike Makatea-Leylander is confirmed for his first novice bout against Damien Kamo from the Fortitude Thai Boxing Gym in Masterton, while Ashlee Burgess will be having her third novice fight against Azania Pekepo from the Scorpion Thai Boxing Gym in Palmerston North. Assassins grappling trainer Craig Mercer is also in the card, up against Tenali Iosefa from the Fight Shop in Palmerston North in an A-class mixed martial arts bout. Mercer remains undefeated.

Meanwhile, Gallacher was to have also fought at the River City Rumble, but has ruled himself out with a knee injury.

"I would've loved to have fought at home again, but I've got the world championships coming up in Malaysia in seven weeks and I don't want to risk the knee," Gallacher said yesterday. And, no, his knee injury was not sustained during training with Anderson.

Gallacher will be joined at the worlds by fellow Assassins fighter Louise Fuller, a 45kg kickboxer with plenty of talent in the female ranks.

Donations to help the pair represent New Zealand in Malaysia can be made during the River City Rumble.