KO1 Reviews
by Sensei Martin Blakeway

THE MAIN EVENT
The British MAAS - BKBU Criuserweight Full Contact Title

This was what the few hundred or so that came had been waiting for. The re-match of Paul Grieves from Sunderland and our very own Paul "The Terminator" Taylor from Bloxwich. Fighting for the first time on home ground Taylor had great support and as the MC announced the fighters the noise went up to MAX ! - As I walked down the middle of the seating area, with the title belt held above my head all I could hear were the chants for Taylor Taylor, Although the Sunderland group had brought a few supporters they were no match for the air horns and cheers from Paul's friends & Family and members of Chongshin Do.

Richie Barrett, Vince McKenzie and I had been revving Paul up in the changing rooms and I have to say he looked as sharp and focused as I have ever seen him, keen to do well in front of HIS crowd. Paul & I stood as we have before eye to eye "time to flick the switch" - I said - but it had already been on for a while!

Round 1 The two strong looking men touched gloves with respect knowing what each other is capable of - Taylor opens the account with a turning kick to the head of Grieves - it catches some of his guard and it takes the sting off it - a warning! A few fast punches all tidy and with fierce intent. Grieves replies with a kick to the body then is forced back with a loud turning kick hitting the guard - another warning - followed by a front kick and some super fast punches coming from all angles. These two looking the pro's they are exchange another barrage of punches, Grieves lands a turning kick to Taylor's arms - Taylor replies - harder! - Grieves tries a spinning back kick and misses and Taylor lets rip with a ferocious combination - right turning kick, punch, punch, left turning kick all landing hard - all within a second. Again Grieves replies with a turning kick to the body, more great moving by both men and superb show of martial art action. In the middle of some weaving they clash heads, Taylor acknowledges this and they touch gloves in respect. Taylor lands a massive turning kick to the body and Grieves strikes back with one to the head landing without the stinging sound you hear from Taylor's. Taylor unleashes another couple to both sides of Grieves and again punch, duck & move like pro's. The bell goes and they touch gloves - the pace set for a very classy and entertaining fight. Taylor's round.

Round 2 Taylor's out first and scoring again with superb combinations, Grieves is giving some back but the balance of power and scored hits are swinging Taylor's way. Turning kick, front kicks and punches follow up - all landing beautifully. Rallies of punches too quick to see are exchanged every time they are within reach. Grieves attempts another back kick and misses - more great exchanges, Taylor dummies a punch then lands a thundering roundhouse to the head & shoulders of Grieves. And another and It stays on his shoulder for a while, they move around the ring, Taylor is in the corner and Grieves goes forward swinging in some massive strikes - all miss with the superb evasive action of Taylor. With the crowd loving this show of supreme skill he lifts his spirit and delivers a front kick and two punches all hit the target! They come together again. The bell goes - Another round to Taylor.

Round 3 This round Grieves seemed to come back and caught Taylor with a couple of shots. Taylor lands a front kick that sends Grieves stepping backwards, again the slick movement of Taylor saves him from being hit in the corners, and he delivers another massive turning kick. Followed by a superb 4 move combo hitting both side of Grieves body and driving him back. Grieves keeps coming forward - perhaps knowing the first two went against him - this must be his round. Grieves throws a front kick lands on Taylor - yet sends Grieves back - show of tiredness, Taylor jumps in with a roundhouse and the bell goes again - that was closer but Taylor's just the same.

Round 4 I'd told Taylor he must have the last three and he'd out pointed him so far - knowing this Taylor wanted to finish it with style and went in hard from the bell. Grieves needing the KO put up a massive counter attack and still Taylor manages to reach his head with a roundhouse kick carrying weight. Both seem a little tired and who can blame them - a few shots missed then again electrifying movement of Taylor lands Roundhouse kicks and punches in a blur of hands & feet. Grieves desperate to land the back kick tries again and fails - Taylor rushes forward to capitalise but skims the shoulder of Grieves and runs past him. A massive round - testing strength & will power. Draw.

Round 5 Grieves needs KO and knows it - he turned on some extreme power and his experience and staying power was needed more than ever. Holder of many titles Grieves was no pushover and was going to show us his best round yet. A war broke out - no-one giving in, Grieves eye was starting to bleed and Taylor was tasting victory. Grieves tries one last time to land the back kick - in vain and this time Taylor capitalises on the move landing kicks & punches on Grieves sending him backwards. Again the staying power and hard head of the Geordie kept him in it and he came forward landing a front kick then BANG a large over the top right spins Taylor's head round and he falls - goes into a roll and squats gaining his focus and stilling the brain. It was a huge hit and many would never recover from that. Soke gave him the count he was up and bouncing, shaken he held his guard as Grieves smelling the big KO came wading in. Grieves gave it everything in the next 30 seconds - some landed - getting past the now tired guard of Taylor - yet he stood up and still had the ability to come back at Grieves. The Crowd were now all on their feet this last round taking them to new heights - Taylor hanging in there - then bang - Taylor's coming back from an almost KO - Taylor still landing weighty roundhouse kicks to Grieves - now burned out Grieves cant believe Taylor's still coming at him and Taylor lands the last point of the night right on target - right on the bell. The two hugged each other in respect knowing they had taken each other to a new level of their own individual ability.

The scores came in and Sensei Chris whiting who timed and scored the fights was one of the first to know the result. As Soke held the arms of the two fighters the crowd were going wild knowing that Paul Taylor must have it.. the MC announcement that "the winner is ..and undefeated .".,the crowd went even crazier.. Paul was mobbed afterwards and as I looked back to see him crowded with well wishers and friends to congratulate him, it was a great site … they had witnessed first hand what only a select few had seen before - the "Terminator" in action.

WHAT A FIGHT !!! WHAT A NIGHT !! What can I say except well done to all who took part - you all came away with great memories and fantastic experience to draw from. A special well done from everyone at Chongshin Do to Sensei Paul Taylor - Undefeated Cruiserweight Champ. Copies of the video will go around soon - if you were not there .. WHY NOT ?? You missed out on something special. Soke was so impressed with the standard of professionalism from the promotional team - that he is going to make the Midlands THE Main Full - Contact venue for all the main fights next year. That night was a realisation of a dream I had a few years ago … Thanks again to those who helped in making this dream a reality. Martin Blakeway