Daniel Zahra retained his K1 world title belt with an emphatic win over Gary Hamilton in Northern Ireland earlier this month.

Zahra and Brandon Spiteri, both members of the Ying Yang Boxing team, were led by Master Noel Mercieca and manager Isaac Chetcuti. Spiteri was involved in another fight.

Zahra was up against home favourite Hamilton in a 5x3 match under K1 rules.

Regarded as one of the leading kickboxers in Northern Ireland, Hamilton has been involved in several international title fights.

The Irish fighter tried to use his experience to overpower Zahra but his efforts were in vain as the Maltese kickboxer proved too strong on the day.

Zahra knocked down Hamilton four times during the fight, the first in the opening round with a hand technique, twice in the second with knee strikes and the other in the third using his knee.

Hamilton’s coach decided to stop the match at the end of the third round, thus handing victory to Zahra.

Spiteri took on another Irish fighter, Alex Coicoi, in a 4x2 match with the European amateur title on the line.

The Maltese kickboxer attacked relentlessly right from the outset to put the pressure on Coicoi but it was the home boxer who started to pick up points.

In the third round, Coicoi unleashed a flurry of attacks on Spiteri that forced the referee to stop the bout.

Coicoi was awarded victory by technical knock-out.

In a statement, the Ying Yang Boxing Club said that, after this positive experience in Northern Ireland, they are looking forward to next year when they will be participating in several inter-national competitions.

For more information, one can visit the Ying Yang Kickboxing Facebook page or call 7920-8283.