A capacity crowd at The Macron in Bolton witnessed a surreal night of Muay Thai action, as Yokkao 14 and 15 yet again delivered on a scale of supremacy.
Despite a few injuries which had blighted what was considered as the best ever Thai card to be held on British soil, the revamped Yokkao 14 and 15 line-ups were still sprinkled with absolute world class fighters. From the UK, Liam Harrison, Jordan Watson and Reece McAllister, without question three of the best this country has to offer on the world scene.
If we’re comparing as well, the Thai counterparts were just as emphatic. One of the greatest living Thais, Saenchai Pk SaenchaiMuayThaiGym; who was matched with Mike Gym’s Massaro Glunder, and multiple time Lumpinee champion Sindam Kiatmoo9.
The fights themselves delivered on the level many anticipated. Early on at Yokkao 14, Joe McGovan was great against George Davies, winning through a daggering elbow, which caused one of the most vicious cuts of the night. Also, Myk Estlick showed precision to defeat Mike Bateman, when a leg kick seemed to dislocate the arm of Bateman.
The co-main event saw an almost effortless and perfect showing from McAllister who seemed to beat Josh Turbill with benevolent ease. Pheonix Muay Thai’s McAllister dropped Turbill three consecutive times with body shots. It was a tough ask for Turbill to step up for this fight, especially with McAllister’s recent experience on TOP KING, but he showed great resolve in the fight where he was just simply outclassed.
Saenchai made his way out for the Yokkao 14 main event and it felt almost like a dream seeing one of the greatest walk so confidently down the aisle to such an electric atmosphere. A lot of credit has to be given to Glunder, who took the fight on short notice after Greg Wootton was forced out with an injury. The Dutch kickboxer never shied from the fight with Saenchai and went toe-to-toe; as well as he could at least, for the entirety of the fight.
It may not have been the most impressive Saenchai ever, but he was definitely never in any danger throughout the fight. The term, ‘Eat, Sleep, Sweep, Repeat’ was perfect description of Saenchai’s performance on Saturday night, with the Thai sweeping and throwing Glunder at absolute will. Saenchai even brought out the jumping cartwheel kick and jumping switch kick, in a dominating performance over a resilient Glunder.
On to Yokkao 15, another infectiously brilliant card. Tommi McCormick had a tough ask against The Griphouse’s Brian Totty, however he showed extreme cool to finish Totty with a flurry of body shots and knees in the very first round.
‘Don’t Call It A Comeback’, but that it was for Jordan Watson who answered the critics of his last loss to Sanny Dahlbeck. ‘Quadzilla’ looked much better this time out at Yokkao, landing his patinant leg kicks at will over Jordann Pikeur. Leg Kick City was in full swing in Bolton, and Watson never looked in doubt, even dropping Pikeur with some big knees in the clinch. Onwards now for the Bad Company Gym man for a colossal rematch against Dahlbeck.
The event culminated in a huge international showdown between Harrison and Singdam, which didn’t disappoint. It was an evenly contested bout, with Harrison controlling the first few rounds before Singdam used his experience to mount a comeback later on in the fight.
Early on, Harrison did well to land some big body shots on Singdam; which caused the Thai to acknowledge the Brit’s immense power. Harrison showed great head movement, but as the fight progressed, and the canvas became more slippy, Singdam seemed to emerge from his shell.
The Kiatmoo9 fighter started to land sweeps in volume towards the end, and outstruck a tiring Harrison. It certainly was a close fight though, and despite the judge’s giving Singdam the nod, It would not have come as a shock should the scores have been reversed.
Overall, it was a tremendous night of Muay Thai at The Macron, and a testimony to the growing scene in the UK, which will continue to go from strength to strength from here on out.
