Christian Schembri and Brandon Borg both delivered knockout victories during a sell-out Rage Kombat event at the Pembroke Indoor Arena that was televised globally by Triller TV and Swerve Combat.
On Saturday, Rage Kombat launched their exciting new combat sports league in Malta – a promotion that promises to showcase various fighting disciplines and live music at every show.
Founder Mark Wilson Smith was delighted with the success of the debut event.
‘‘I was very happy to see a sell-out crowd on the night,” he said.
“It shows that fight fans are buying into the concept of Rage Kombat. We saw some very competitive bouts; new talent making their debut appearance; great knockouts; and the audience generated a fantastic atmosphere too.
“This event had boxing, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and Kudo, but our next event in the summer will have even more combat sports on display and live music again too!’’
Christian ‘Coqqos’ Schembri, who was one of the big names on the card, easily outclassed his British opponent, George Watson.
The big Brit was down multiple times before Schembri knocked him out after just one minute and 34 seconds of round one.
After the bout, Schembri said: ‘‘Quick win, but I wanted and expected a better challenge from my opponent, a good fight is always welcome. At least I got to slip and throw punches under the bright lights and I beat who they put in front of me.’’
Brandon ‘Bogon’ Borg faced eager Kaine Burns from the United Kingdom.
Burns was up for a fight and pressed forward throwing often, but Bogon was a level above and dropped his opponent early in the fight before stopping him for good at one minute and 53 seconds of round two.
An entertaining fight that had the crowd on their feet, as Borg now looks for a title fight in the near future.
The Fight of the Night Award went to Kudo practitioners Nichita Mazurchevici, representing Kudo Malta, and his Ukrainian opponent Danylo Kotliar.
The Japanese combat sport allows punches, kicks, throws, headbutts, and submissions – and both fighters made full use of the available options.
The crowd watched on in awe as the fight flowed from a standing position to the ground, and back to standing again.
Ultimately, it was Mazurchevici who was declared the winner on points after a very competitive contest.
In the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu bout, Belgian fighter Lucas Sidhu was able to overcome Maltese local Alec Grech. The bout went the scheduled five minutes in length, with Sidhu being declared the winner 11-5 on points.
Aside from the combat on display, fans were also treated to a Brazilian Samba band, Roma Rio, performing live during the half time show. The drum beats and rhythm certainly got the crowd up dancing and helped add to the party atmosphere on the night.
Celebrity friend
Elsewhere on the main card, popular home fighter ‘Prince’ Bray Pace knocked out England’s Callum Goodison after 47 seconds of round two, while Bray’s celebrity friend Samuel Ericcson cheered from ringside.
Moez Zinad continued his unbeaten run making it six wins in a row with a unanimous points decision over durable and game Italian Christian Danilo Guido, a fighter known as ‘El Ninja’.
After the bout Zinad took the microphone to thank the audience who had turned up to watch him and notified everyone that he would be back in action again in just two weeks’ time.
Promising young talent Fouad Wakil made his professional debut and easily outclassed his Albanian opponent Ronaldo Skorovoti. The bout ended in Fouad’s favour with a technical knockout in round one after two minutes and 54 seconds.
All in all, it was a great start and first show for Wilson Smith’s Rage Kombat and fans are already looking forward to their next event planned for June this year.
Main Card Results
Christian Schembri won by KO against George Watson (boxing)
Brandon Borg won by KO against Kaine Burns (boxing)
Bray Pace won by KO against Callum Goodison (boxing)
Nichita Mazurchevici beat by points against Danylo Kotliar (kudo)
Moez Zinad won by points against Christian Danilo Guido (boxing)
Lucas Sidhu won by points against Alec Grech (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)
Fouad Wakil won by TKO against Ronaldo Skorovoti (Boxing)
Jak Johnson won by points against Craig Saxton (boxing)
