South Shields kickboxer to compete for world title in home town show

Up until recently the 25-year-old from South Shields had no idea who he was facing for the chance to claim the vacant IKF World Title Belt.

He had hoped to be taking on 39-year-old American Amer Abdullah in a re-match after he narrowly missed out on bringing the WKA World Champion belt home in 2016.

But the title holder refused to defend the belt.

Now, the kickboxer, a student at the Kuei-Ling Kickboxing Club in Maxwell Street, South Shields, will instead be competing for the vacant IKF World Title Belt when he heads into the ring against Ari Quitusisa, in the headline bout on November 10 at Temple Park Centre after the Frenchman was recently named as his opponent.

Between them they have had over 80 bouts and both hold a number of international and domestic titles.

Coach Steve East said: “Nathan has been working really hard, as he always does, but this is going to be a massive bout.

“Aris trains out of Paris and is the same weight as Nathan which is going to make it even more interesting.

“This is a chance for one of our own to win a world title belt right here in their home town of South Shields.

“The atmosphere down at the club is already electric and it would be amazing to see as many people get behind Nathan on the night.”

It will be the first time Nathan has fought for a world title belt at a show in his home town when he takes to the ring in November and already a number of businesses have got behind him to show him their support including North East Refurbishments Ltd.

Mr East added: “We have had so much support to be able to put this night on. Temple Park has a capacity for 1,200 people and it would be amazing to see it filled.”

Nathan, has been training in kickboxing since the age of seven and has a number of titles to his name including the WKA European, ICO British and WKU World Champion.

He trains six-days-a-week and sometimes twice a day to ensure he is in top form when he meets his opponents.

Tickets for the fight which will feature a number of other bouts will be on sale soon from any of the fighters taking part or from Kuei-Ling Kickboxing Club.

Sponsorship packages for the night are also available for any businesses.

To register interest for tickets ahead of the night or information on sponsorship packages call into the gym in Maxwell Street or call 07946 389 945.