Melton Thai boxer Griffiths dethrones European champion

A big band of Muay Thai Assassins headed for Crewe to cheer on the Melton fighter in his bid to dethrone defending -58kg champion Korver.

Instructor Mark Barlow said: “We knew Roan is a very good boxer so we had to plan our strategy around this.”

Korver came out blasting punches in the opening round and connected several times, causing Griffiths to momentarily wobble, but he used his experience to ride out the storm.

Griffiths was told to front-kick his opponent as he punched, which stopped the Dutchman getting off his power punches, and the Assassin used his knees and kicks to start scoring.

As Korver tired in round three, Griffiths used the clench to good effect, scoring with powerful knees to the Dutchman’s midriff, and continue the tactic to great effect in the next.

Korver came out looking to stop the Melton fighter in the final round, and a spinning kick clearly hurt Griffiths, but he shook it off, got down to scoring again, and earned the judges’ decision.

* The following day, three Assassins travelled to Kettering for tough bouts on the Fight Kings show.

Shaydon Burt opened against an evenly-matched opponent from Bedford and used his greater strength, and demonstrated his improvement, to grind out a win.

Kammal Chamberlain also faced a Bedford fighter who showed his greater experience by catching the Assassin with good punches in a strong opening.

But this didn’t deter Chamberlain who went forward in round two and unsettled his rival with punches and kicks, and then dominated the third and final round to win the bout on points.

Nathan Donovan faced a Birmingham fighter in a heavyweight clash.

Following his fight plan against an opponent who was happiest punching, Donovan used front kicks and strong rib kicks to keep him at bay.

The Assassin picked up the power in round two, slamming body kicks into his opponent’s midriff, and then looked likely to stop the Birmingham fighter in the final round.

He hung on to finish the contest, but Donovan was a clear winner with all three judges.

* For information on training with the Assassins for fitness, visit their Facebook page at Assassins Muay Thai.