Lee Sung-hyun of Korea secured World Kickboxing Network welterweight title against Johnny “Swift” Smith of Northern Ireland on Saturday November 27 at “Knockdown Lockdown” at Stormont Hotel in Belfast. The pair went head to head during five rounds of an all-round spectacular action producing fireworks and drama in every round.
Both men were of the canvas with the Korean kickboxer in the second due to a jab and the Northern Irish man with the heavier shot in the fourth with a knee strike.
As the final bell rang, one judge scored the fight in favor of representative of the country-host, while two other judges gave it to the guest from Korea, who consequently was awarded the victory by split decision.
With the win “The Korean Monster” Lee Sung-hyun updated his record to 56-9-1, 17 KOs and added a prestigious WKN belt to his collection, previously earning RISE middleweight and lightweight straps.
“Swift” Smith suffered the first defeat in his professional kickboxing career and dropped to 10-1, 6 KOs. Earlier he held WKN Intercontinental welterweight title and made a successful defense, as well as amateur world title belt.
Coach Billy Murray vowed in the ring after the defeat of “Swift” to Lee Sung-hyun: “I will help Johnny Smith become a world professional champion and will not stop until Johnny achieves his dream. I’ll not give up until he gets to be a WKN professional world champion, and hopefully that will be against, Lee Sung-hyun of Korea in a rematch.”
Also on the night local Grace Goody squared off against Kubra Akdut of Germany in the contest with WKN European super bantamweight amateur title on the line. The scheduled for five rounds encounter ended in favor of the latter, who claimed the win via fourth-round retirement.
In addition, Northern Ireland’s Jay Snoddon lifted his second WKN belt across ten weeks. Holding WKN International featherweight belt earned at Fight Club mid September, the rising star secured WKN European featherweight amateur strap via fourth-round RTD against Ranieri Cingolani of Italy.
“Knockdown Lockdown” was promoted by former four-division world champion Billy Murray. The “made in Prokick” event marked the return of World Championship Kickboxing to Northern Ireland.
WKN officials and representatives jetted from France, Germany, Switzerland, Romania, Italy, Korea, Poland and the four home countries. The Hierarchy of the WKN kickboxing world were all in town to witness one of the biggest fight in the last 20 years in Belfast since Hamilton vs Samir in 2005.
The list of special guests at the black-tie formal dinner show included WKN World President Stephane Cabrera, the first in history WKN World champion Cezary Podraza, former featherweight and lightweight Full Contact world champion Gary Hamilton and former undefeated Full Contact world champion Carl Emery.
Prokick: Knockdown Lockdown results
WKN World welterweight title, oriental rules
Lee Sung-hyun (Korea) def. Johnny Smith (Northern Ireland) by split decision
WKN European super bantamweight amateur title, oriental rules
Kubra Akdut (Germany) def. Grace Goody (Northern Ireland) by RTD (R4 at 2:00)
WKN European featherweight amateur title, oriental rules
Jay Snoddon (Northern Ireland) def. Ranieri Cingolani (Italy) by RTD (R4 at 2:00)