Friday, November 27, 2009

Rumble in the concrete jungle

Friday, November 27, 2009

Rumble in the concrete jungle

  • Source: Global Times
  • [23:45 November 12 2009]


Taking a beating for a good cause. Photo: Guo Yingguang

By Matthew Jukes

More than one or two bruises were seen on Wednesday night as Battlefield X1 Supremacy drew to a close. The high profile Muay Thai event was held to raise money for the China Children and Teenagers Foundation.

Vince Soberano, previously featured in Metro Beijing's People section, defended his good name as World Lightweight Muay Thai Champion in a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) bout against Bryon Schnell.

"I don't want to fight my opponent on the ground," said the champ, referring to some of the nasty Brazilian jiu jitsu locks that Schnell had used throughout the fight. "I prepared for three months for this. If I'm not sure I'm going to win, I don't fight. I just take my time, hit and hurt him until finally I get him on the ground," Soberano added.

Outside the ring, signed photos of assorted Hollywood names, including Angelina Jolie and George Clooney, were on silent auction for thousands of yuan apiece. "I think it's good to see people like this coming together," said Yan Na, from the China Children and Teenagers foundation. "The people who are joining this event are, in a way, part of the charity as well," she added.

It was a surprising quiet night for China's male fighters with Yang Zhuo beating compatriot Kang Xin in the third fight. Black Tiger's Christian Macia took the charity cup over Li Qiankun, while Thailand's own Pongsak took home the Pacific Rim title and Filipino Jerson Estoro took home the Greater Asia title.

It was however a good night for China's women, with Xu Aihui beating Filipino Sonrex Patano in the only female fight of the evening.

matthewjukes@globaltimes.com.cn

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