Pears fit and ready for British title tilt

CROWBOROUGH kickboxer Lewis Pears is looking to begin his 2012 season with a bang by capturing the International Combat Organisation light middle-weight British area title.

The 29-year-old takes on Elliot Gohari, from USKA Birmingham, on March 11 in Kidderminster and if Pears can capture the title, bigger fights could be on the cards in the future.

Pears, who trains at Sussex-based Frontier School of Karate Kickboxing, is stepping up from light welterweight for the fight, but isn't phased by this and is looking forward to the bout.

"It's an honour to be offered the chance to fight for this title and I'm buzzing with the thought of it," he said.

"It will mean a hell of a lot of training and road work running, sparring, conditioning, sweat and blood.

"But that's what is so good about it (competing) – when you have something to gain at the end of it.

"The title fight is at such a big event with such big names, so you never know what will be offered to you after, depending on how you perform, so fingers crossed a lot more offers for big title fights will come our way.

"It will be a great fight and title belt to win – along with my previous title achievements.

"After my bronze medal in Frankfurt at the ICO World Championships last year, I was going to fight in November's British Open, but picked up a slight injury.

"Unfortunately, I had to miss the event, but I am now fit and looking forward to competing at the ICO British and English Championships.

"Having won both titles previously, I am fairly confident of success."

Later on in the year, Pears will be representing England at the ICO World Championships in November and will be competing in September's British Open.

Victory against Gohari would be the perfect start to Pears' year.

Pears is running full contact kickboxing classes for Frontier School of Karate and Kickboxing in Crowborough on Thursday evenings.

They will be held at the Crowborough Community Centre between 7.30pm and 9pm.

For more information, call 01273 702662.