Mark Matthews
( Ring name : The Diamond )

Pictured with his

British

and

Commonwealth

Championship Belts.

Welterweight, 66kgs,
( I.S.K.A. Muaythai Rules )





Mark is a very experienced Instructor. He started training when he was just 11 years old under Phil Nurse and Master Sken, and has been involved with the sport for over 17 years.


Mark excelled at competition, and first began competing at amateur level on the junior circuit.

He had over fourty bouts as a junior and had several championship contests, defeating Chris Macdonald for the area title, and James Mobbs for the British title.








Pict : Matthews ---vs-- Lee Cox.
Right High-Kick!




In 1993 Mark passed his Instructor grade under Master Sken, and began coaching with Neil Holden.

In 1995 he challenged for the British Featherweight championship ( B.M.T.A. ) against Damien Gregory.

At that time Gregeory was struggling to find opponents as he was unbeaten and was also competing in Amateur boxing.

This was a considerable step up in class for Mark, but he rose to the challenge. The contest went to the scorecards and with the judges awarding a draw.

Pict above : Matthews ---vs-- Warren Brown.
Knee-Kick!

Phil Nurse, Marks trainer, then relocated to the United States and Mark continued his training with Neil Holden.

As a professional Mark competed in two Grandprix's ( 8 man elimination tournaments K-1 style ) as well building an impressive record at International level.

In 2000 Mark won the Area and the English Light-Welterweight title ( WAKO-Pro.).



Pict above : Matthews ---vs-- Keiren Keddle.
Left High-Kick!




At the time the domestic scene was really exciting with many claiming the king at Welterweight to be Keiren Keddle. the Britsh Champion ( W.K.A. ).


Keddle was from the South of England, and there has always been (friendly) rivalry between the South and the North.







Pict above : Matthews ---vs-- Keiren Keddle.
Overhand Right!


Keddle to his credit agreed to face the all of the Northern fighters that were being touted, Warren Brown ( Altrincham, Pele's Gym - World Champion Wako-Pro.), Mark Matthews ( Warrington, English Champion Wako-Pro.) and Lee Chesters, ( Sheffield, Mick Mullaney, World Champion WMC )

In January 2001 Keddle defeated World Light-Welterweight Champion, and Britsh ranked # 1 Light-Welterweight, Warren Brown under Muaythai rules ( A-Class 5x3, inc. Elbows ) further asserting himself as the U.K.'s number #1 Welterweight.




Pict above : Matthews ---vs-- Keiren Keddle.
Shin-Kick!

Matthews, who at the time was British ranked #3 at Light-Welterweight challenged , Keddle for his number one ranking on a North vs South super show, and on the 29th October 2001 the two champions met for the
British & Commonwealth
Muaythai Welterweight Title
( A-Class 5x3, inc. Elbows ).





Pict : Matthews ---receiving his winning
Cheque for £ 1'000.00.

Far Left, Peter Crooke -
(European Super-Welterweight Champion.)
Right - Kirkwood Walker -
( World Heavyweight Champion) .
Paul Hennessey - International Promoter.




The contest was a great match and very techical with Matthews winning the Championship.


Keiren bounced back from this with a tremendous win, when in his next contest he fought for the World Title ( WAKO-Pro ) against the World Champion ( WMC ) Lee Chesters.



Pict above : Matthews ---vs-- Vincent Swaans.
Circular Elbow!


This further reflects how great an achievement Mark's win was. Keddle had taken beaten two of the countries biggest names, Warren Brown ( WAKO-Pro World Champion ) and Lee Chesters ( WMC World Champion ), and it was only Mark that could defeat him.



Some people were calling for Mark to challenge for a World title, however
Matthews career however then went in a different direction.

After capturing the #1 Welterweight ranking, and all the Championships available at national level ( Area, English, British, Commonwealth ) Mark began to compete at International level, which saw him represent his country on several occasions.

At International level Mark switched to competing under K-1 rules, and moved up yet another weight division to
" Super" -Welterweight, (69 Kg's).

The increased strength at the higher weight and the K-1 style rules really suited Mark, with his last three International contests all being won by knockout.











Pict : Matthews ---Making his ring entrance.


In November 2004 Matthews was part of an England team that took on an Italian team. Marks compatriots were Altrinchams Johnny Roye ( Pele's Gym ) against Fabrizio Cavani, and Leed's Andy Howsen ( Bad Company gym ) against Simone Granzian.

Matthews faced Italian Champion Calgero Palmeri and the two contested the
Inter-Continental Championship ( W.P.K.L. ). Mark won this bout by 2nd round knockout.



Pict : Matthews ---vs-- Rucci.
Left Hook!

Mark is now head trainer in charge of preparing the Champions at Warrington Kickboxing for title defences.

His vast experience in the ring is a great asset to the Studio, as his qualifications speak for themselves.





Pict : Matthews ---vs-- Rucci.
Body Kick!



Some of the leading domestic opponents Mark has shared the ring with..

Wayne McCoy ( English Champion )

David Parkinson ( British Champion )

Lee Cox ( British Champion )

Tony Basnett ( European Champion )





Pict : Matthews ---vs-- Rucci.
Head Kick!

Morris Reilly ( World Champion ) -
twice, one win each.

Warren Brown ( World Champion ) -
twice, one win each.

Keiren Keddle ( World Champion ) -
twice, two wins.

Basha Valon ( Belgium )

Vincent Zwaans ( Holland )

Youcef Attrach ( France )

Bruno Rucci ( Belgium )

Calgero Palmeri ( Italy ) -

Pict : Matthews ---vs-- Rucci.
Right Punch!

Mark Matthews
( Ring name : The Diamond )

Pictured with his

Inter-Continental

Championship Belt.

Super-Welterweight, 69kgs,

( W.P.K.L. )

Regarded by many as one of Englands most exciting fighters.

( Click for more pics )

Martial Arts Resume:

Amateur Championship Titles Held:

Junior Area ( Counties ) Champion ( Knockdown Rules ).

Junior British Champion ( Knockdown Rules ).


Professional Championship Titles Held :

Area ( Counties ) Super-Lightweight Champion

Area ( Counties ) Light-Welterweight Champion

English Light-Welterweight Champion

British Welterweight Champion

Commonwealth Welterweight Champion

Inter-Continental Super-Welterweight Champion


Instructor Qualified ( Red Grade / Band ) to '5th' Degree.

Mark has a wealth of experience as an Intructor, gaining his 1st Degree Red Band certification from Grand Master Sken Kaewpadung of Thailand.

1st Degree, 15th June 1993 - Red Band, Certified by Grand Master Sken.
-( Several years training and + 1 years teaching experience ).


Two years later, Instructor promotion to :
2nd Degree, 15th June 1995 - Red with White Band
---------------------------------------------------------------- ( + 3 years teaching experience ).

Three years later, Instructor promotion to :
3rd Degree, 15th June 1998 - Red with Yellow Band
---------------------------------------------------------------- ( +6 years teaching experience ).

Four Years Later, Instructor promotion to :
4th Degree, 15th June 2002 - Red with Green Band
---------------------------------------------------------------- ( +10 years teaching experience ).

Five Years Later, Instructor promotion to :
'5th Degree' 15th June 2007 - 'Red with Silver Band
---------------------------------------------------------------- ( +15 years teaching experience ).
























In addition to his Muaythai - Kickboxing skills, Mark also posseses excellent ground fighting skills.

He holds a Blackbelt in KUDO, a Mixed-Martial-Arts ( M.M.A. ) system
from Japan that includes throws and groundwork techniques from Ju-Jitsu and Judo as well as striking techniques from Kickboxing and Kyokushin Karate.


Mark pictured ( far right ) after passing his Kudo Black Belt exam with Grand Master Azuma, Neil Holden and Lee Hasdell.

To see details of Kudo click the following link - KUDO

Click here to see Kickboxing Instructor Grades and official titles