Affiliates
Follow us on
Follow us on
"Lights, camera, action", a phrase most commonly yelled from a
director's chair, has just taken on a whole new meaning.
Excitement and anticipation filled the over 3000 people amphitheatre at Ratanga Junction last Saturday 8 November for the "Hands Up" Summer Festival Muaythai tournament as crowds waited on the edge of their seats to see who would be crowned the African Contender Qualifier.
Contender Asia, currently the biggest Muaythai reality show to
date, has been ranked the number one show in Asia with over
400million viewers worldwide, now including USA and the UK. "Hands
Up" was the biggest Muaythai tournament South Africa had ever seen
featuring SA title fights, MMA fights, and international
competitors, securing the winner a place in the Contender Asia 2
house in Malaysia. Dragon Power Promotions, in conjunction with
Grandslots, put on a show destined to be the talk of the town for a
long time to come.
The first of the 7 fights of the night was a girl fight which ended with a knee to the face in round 2. This set the tone for what was to come and following Cape Town's Madeleine Ross' victory, the first bout of the much anticipated African Contender Qualifier began. Jason "The Bull" Roberts, fighting in the red corner, faced off international Thai fighter Theerasek Sengseng in the opening Contender fight. It lasted all rounds and Roberts took it on points, allowing him one step closer to his dream.
Weighing in at 74,5kgs was Cape Town's born and bred Bakhulule "Sweet Poison" Baai, fighting against Austalian Shannon Minett. Baai won in round one with a T.K.O, securing his place in the finals against "The Bull" Roberts. "It was an honour to fight him," Baai later said about Roberts. "We both wanted it the same; we were hungry for it and I knew there were going to be fireworks when we got in that ring together and that was all the motivation I needed to fight even harder."
While these two finalists were in the back getting their face on, another 2 professional fights kept the crowd's focus, along with a MMA fight which ended brutally by K.O merely seconds into round one. Beatboxer and breakdancing group "Local is Lekker" took to the stage during interval and while the fighters were wrapping up, the crowd was drinking up!
"I am the African Contender. This is my turf. This is my fight" sounded over the 16x4 screen and across the amphitheatre. This bold statement was the last thing spoken by Baai before stepping into the ring, ready to claim his prize. Friends outside the ring and opponents in the ring, Roberts and Baai gave each other the fight of their lives. The fight went all the rounds and it was down to points, who was going to claim their place in the season 2 house? With hands clapping, voices screaming and confetti filling the air, Baai's hand was held up, declaring him the African Contender Qualifier. It was a moment of victory and defeat for both Baai and Roberts, but their true sportsmanship shone as they hugged one another and trying to bring to life this surreal journey they had both just experienced. The crowd was still going crazy while Sifu Kru Quentin Chong congratulated his fighters and handed over the Contender Asia Season Two African Qualifier title belt.
Many familiar faces filled the crowd such as Jeannie D, while trophies and medals were handed out by Colin Moss, Roland Schoeman and Top Billing's Aiden Bennetts. The evening closed with performances from The Dirty Skirts and Zebra & Giraffe, and with Cokey Falkow as MC it ensured the entertainment was not limited to the ring!
As Muhammad Ali once said, "I hated every minute of training. But I said "Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.""
By Lisa Burnell