Neil Holden was born in the historical city of Chester, Cheshire, England in 1972. As a school boy he was fairly talented at the various sports that any young man gets introduced to, Football, Cricket, Long Distance Running, Athletics. and at the age of eleven Martial Arts.

Since those days Neil has dedicated his adult life to the Martial Arts and has been training now for over 26 years!

Even after such a long time, his enthusiasm is still the same as it was the first day that he ever kicked a bag and as well as running a Full-time Studio, even now, Neil still trains alongside his Blackbelts & Champions 6 days a week on a regimented Split-System.

This consists of Martial arts training on Mondays, Tuesdays Thursdays and Fridays's, ( Mondays and Thursdays Thai-Kickboxing and Tuesday and Fridays Kudo-M.M.A. ), with Running, Weight training and Abbdominal work on Sundays and Wednesdays, maintaining a healthy diet and fitness programme 6 days a week, with just one day off.

Neil ( pictured between Grand Master Azuma and Sensei Lee Hasdell )

is currently a
5th Dan Kickboxing Instructor and also holds a black belt in the Japanese M.M.A. system, Kudo.

To see details of Kudo click the following link - KUDO

Neil gives his 100% attention to any, and all that he teaches, be it a nervous beginner on their very first training session, or preparing one of his Champions for an important International match. Neil's enthusiasm is the central driving force behind the School, and its Blackbelt Instructors which is why Warrington Kickboxing Studio is so successfull today.

It was 1983 when Neil first experienced the martial arts, when he started training with the highly respected instructor Dave Stretton ( who held a Head Master grade - 7th Dan, Red & White Belt ).

During this time Neil trained in Ju-Jitsu ( a system combining striking, grappling, throwing and ground work ), and also Japanese Kickboxing.

Shortly after passing his Orange Belt, Neil also started training in Thai-Kickboxing, learning Master Sken’s famous system, which is known as 'Sitnarong Muaythai'.

The Thai-Kickboxing class was held in a small function room of the Red Lion pub, in the town of Westhoughton, and the classes were conducted by Phil Nurse, ( a European Champion, and former Professional Boxer - now based in New York ).