Knees Of Fury 31 Event Review
By Adam Orlowski.
Headlining the South Australian year end mega event "Knees of Fury 31" was a heavyweight showdown between Paul Slowinski and Andre Meunier. The large crowd in attendance were treated to an absolute demolition from their hometown hero, as Paul immediately landed a series of brutal leg kicks before scoring one of the nastiest head-kick knockouts you’ve ever seen. Andre was out cold for quite a few minutes, before thankfully being able to make it back to the change rooms on his own two feet. Paul actually had an even bigger end to the night for the home crowd fans & Fox Sports cameras though, as he invited his girlfriend to the ring after the fight & got down on one knee to make a marriage proposal. With the answer being a resounding yes, you really couldn’t have scripted a better end to the event. It was a true fairytale ending for an otherwise difficult and injury plagued year for Paul. In 2011 we hope Paul continues his newly regained form & makes a welcome return to the K-1 circuit.
Co-headlining the main card was Charles August, taking on New Zealand powerhouse, Ra Jonathon. In a bout that August took an early and dominant lead in through unchecked leg kicks, most counted out the Kiwi slugger quickly, who by end of round one had his lead leg almost chopped out to the point of being motionless. With one quick error from August early in round two though, everything changed in an instant. While overextending on a big right cross, Ra countered August with a quick inside hook and crumpled him to the mat. August received an 8-count before quickly being dispatched back to the canvas from a flurry of inside punches. August’s corner then waived off the fight, before a prolonged campaign from Charles himself somehow convinced the officials to then let the bout re-commence once again. No less than about 15 seconds later though, Charles was rocked again & seeing the fighter could no longer properly defend himself, the ref waived off the fight giving Ra Jonathon the TKO victory.
In the evenings other main card attractions, Gary Williams out-pointed the fast starting Queenslander Emilio Schmidt by taking the final three rounds with a range of continually effective jab & kick combinations. Steve Behan defeated Michael Altamura for the WMC light heavyweight state title, utilising strong and effective boxing combinations to keep his opponent from using his strong clinch game. Kieran Walsh edged out Charlie Chau in the closest of split decisions. Kieran likely took home the victory thanks to a high work rate and scoring leg kicks in the final two rounds, as even though Chau looked the dominant fighter, he just couldn’t find range & pull the trigger when it counted. Jye Demmrich won a split decision against Tom Boyle, in what was an eliminator bout to fight for a state title at the next Knees of Fury show in 2011. In a fight that I didn’t think Demmrich would escape the first round in, after being dropped with a viscous head kick, somehow Jye fought his way back in to the bout & then punctuated the victory with a 5th round knockdown of his own via nasty crossing elbow. The comeback victory from Demmrich had to be one of the best I’ve seen in a very long time.
In the evenings undercard action, Anthony Cox defeated Eddie Baldacchino by unanimous decision, Con Masmallis had a lucky break in defeating Nathan Geppert via cut stoppage while behind in the scoring & Josiah Schutz defeated Yanni Vlachoulis with a round 1 KO, while himself on chicken legs from a huge cross. Ashley Schwindt defeated Matt Johnson by decision, Theo Giannopoulis knocked Tom Vullings completely unconscious in the third round for almost 10 minutes, Lex Hanegraff decisioned Heath Lawrence and Zac Axon defeated Timmy Tse via unanimous decision.
Full Event Results
Main Card:
Paul Slowinski (SA) def Andre Meunier (VIC) via R1 KO (Brutal Head Kick).
Ra Jonathon (NZ) def Charles August (SA) via R2 TKO (Hook)
Gary Williams (SA) def Emilio Schmidt (QLD) via Unan Dec
Steve Beham def Micheal Altimura (WMC 80kg State Title) via Unan Dec
Kieran Walsh (ACT) def Charlie Chau (SA) via Split Dec
Jye Demmrich def Tom Boyle (WMC 72.5kg State Title Eliminator) via Split Dec
Anthony Cox (SA) def Eddie Baldicino (VIC) via Unan Dec
Undercard:
Josiah Schutz (SA) def Yanni Vlachoulis (SA) via R1 KO (Right Cross)
Con Masmallis (SA) def Nathan Geppert (ACT) via R3 TKO (Cut Stoppage)
Ashley Schwindt (SA) def Matthew Johnson (SA) via Unan Dec
Theo Giannopoulis (SA) def Tom Vullings (ACT) via R3 KO (Right Cross)
Lex Hanagraaf (SA) def Heath Lawrence (SA) via Unan Dec
Zac Axon (SA) def Timmy Te (VIC) via Unan Dec
