Thai boxers take world titles within fortnight (From The Northern Echo)
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Michael Dicks and Craig Jose earn world titles
12:20pm Saturday 6th November 2010 in News
WORLD CHAMPS: Michael Dicks, left, and Craig Jose with their title belts
TWO training partners have become the region’s first world champions in their sport – since their coach.
Michael Dicks and Craig Jose spurred each other on to land world Thai boxing titles within a fortnight.
Mr Jose was first to land the world title after he defeated Croatian Dominik Zidov in the 71kg category.
Two weeks later, Mr Dicks, from Darlington, landed the 66kg world title after he fought Dee Teerapong, from Thailand.
It came two weeks after Mr Dicks won a silver medal at the Sportaccord Combat Games, in Beijing.
Both fighters train together at Darlington Boxing and Martial Arts Academy under former world champion Paul Hamilton.
Mr Dicks said: “It is unbelievable.
We both train together and bring each other on so much.
“When Craig won his world title, it spurred me on to think ‘in two weeks’ time, I want to do the same’.”
Mr Jose said: “It is one thing to win one title, but for us both to win is fantastic. We both bounce off each other.
By Paul Cook paul.cook@nne.co.uk “Michael winning the silver medal in Beijing got me going to win the world title.”
Mr Jose, from Newcastle, where he runs a gym, held his weigh-in at St James’ Park before a Newcastle United home game.
The pair will display their belts at half-time during Newcastle’s home game against Chelsea on November 27.
Mr Hamilton said: “The only other world champion we have had from the North-East is me, which is many moons ago.
“Michael has been fighting for ten years, but he has really shone this year. He has had nine fights this year, knocking seven out, winning the world title on points and losing only one, also on points.
“They have all been worldclass fights.”
Fighters from Mr Hamilton’s gym have lost only eight fights of the 212 they have competed in this year.
The record has helped the gym reach the final three of the Combat Zone Gym of the Year competition. The winner will be announced at the end of this month.
