Basildon Freestyle Kickboxing Club set the scene for Saturday's big night at Pitsea's Eversely Centre with a spectacular display at Epping Forrest Country Club.

This coming weekend sees Eurosport's TV cameras and Combat magazine covering one of the biggest local kickboxing events of the year and the club have certainly been warming-up in style for the action-packed evening.

Basildon entered ten fighters of varying age and ability at Epping, including top international prospects Ricky Judd and Dave Jenkins.

Sixteen-year-old Judd took a step up in class to take on double British pro champion Anthony Durham.

Judd relished the underdog role as he outclassed his 20-year-old opponent to claim a majority decision and the intermediate age group WKMA world title.

However, it was Dave Jenkins that got the Epping crowd on their feet with an electric performance over seven rounds.

Jenkins floored Wiltshire opponent Chris Long three times on the way to defending his super lightweight commonwealth title, leaving cornermen Chris Day, Andy Brown and Rob Judd thrilled with the evening's events.

Judd said: "We are delighted with all the fighters and would like to thank the many fans that travelled and gave their fantastic support.

"The Epping success has really whetted everyone's appetite for this Saturday - an event which represents a major step for Basildon.

"To have Eurosport and Combat magazine covering the evening shows just how far the club has come in recent years."

A small amount of tickets for Saturday's event will be available on the door, but seats are going fast and a sell-out is already being predicted.

For more information on the evening, or to book a ticket, contact Chris Day on 0411 907083 or Rob Judd on 07712 588701.

Ready to rumble - some of Basildon's winning kickboxers who will be in action at Pitsea's Eversley Centre this Saturday

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.