South Shields kickboxer hopes to clinch world title in home town

Nathan McCarthy has yet to be told who his opponent will be when he competes for the vacant IKF World Title belt in November in his home town of South Shields.

The 25-year-old, who had travelled to New York, in 2016, to take on 39-year-old American Amer Abdullah, had been hoping the date would have seen a re-match between the pair.

Nathan narrowly missed out on bringing home the WKA World Champion belt and since then he and his coach, Steve East, had been trying to bring the fighter to the UK so Nathan could have another shot at the belt.

However, communication on the American’s part waned and Nathan was left no choice but to accept he wasn’t prepared to defend the title.

Now, Nathan, a student at the Kuei-Ling Kickboxing Club in Maxwell Street, South Shields, is setting his sights on winning the vacant IKF World Title belt when he competes against his unknown opponent at Temple Park Centre on November 10.

Nathan said: “We have been trying for the past two years to organise a re-match with Abdullah, but it’s obvious he doesn’t want it.

“He should have lost that fight, so obviously he doesn’t want to fight me again and take the chance of having the belt taken off him.

“We went through the proper channels but it just went silent. It has annoyed me and I’m a bit frustrated but what can you do?

“I can’ wait for this fight. This will be the first time fighting for a world title at a home show, so it is a massive deal.

“I’m hoping for a really good home crowd.”

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 sometimes twice a day to ensure he is in top form when he meets his opponents.

Nathan added: “I can’t wait. We haven’t had a show at Temple Park for a while and I love it. They are the best shows by a mile.”

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.

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