The hunt is on for Contender Promotions and their Dutch talent search
by Andreas Georgiou - @AGeorgiouMMA
With the continual success of Contender Promotions, President Garry Bell readies himself for their next skirmish; Holland's VOS Gym House of Legends, for the first tour of newly incepted Fight Star Hunt.
The Fight Star Hunt is being sponsored by Real Fighters, who will supply all finalists with a kit bag of combat gear.
Partnering with VOS Gym's Francois Lubbers, Bell brings the Fight Star Hunt to the Dutch in his effort to find more global talent for Contender Promotion.
“I first met Francois at a SuperKombat event when I was on business over there [Romania] and that's how we built our relationship. I've always had the idea of Fight Star Hunt, especially from Holland. I believe that's arguably the biggest and best place where fighters come from, the likes of Remy Bonjasky, Alistair Overeem, that's what made me want to do the first one in Holland.”
Lubbers is the owner and head coach at VOS Gym, and he has strong belief that British and Dutch fighters can bring out the best of each other.
“I am very happy Contender Promotions are making the step to Europe, especially to The Netherlands. The sport is growing in the UK, and that means Garry has great confidence in the level of his British fighters.”
“Britain has a great level of Muay-Thai fighters. Everywhere in Thailand you will find great British fighters in all those Muay-Thai camps. Their level is good enough but we should have more British fighters over in Europe and more European fighters in Britain.”
Lubbers has tipped VOS House of Legends' Tyjani Beztati and Tarik Khbabez as potential fight stars.
“We have enough talent in Holland we have many, many fighters and because of that a lot of good
fighters with talent don't get the chance to grow and become big stars.”
Judges on the Fight Star Hunt include Dutch legends Gago Drago, Hesdy Gerges and Ivan Hippolyte.
“We're looking for all different weights, both amateur and professional. Amateurs who we can build under Contender Promotions, but they have to be the sort of fighter I believe I can help grow. It's everything about them that has to make them a fight star, we are looking for the whole package.
An example of this is Paul 'Semtex' Daley the way he presents himself and brands himself, even the way he fights, he's exciting.
I'm looking for personality and brand, I believe that there's lots of good fighters out there, but we have to market and sell a fighter, it makes a big difference.”
An example of this is Paul 'Semtex' Daley the way he presents himself and brands himself, even the way he fights, he's exciting.
I'm looking for personality and brand, I believe that there's lots of good fighters out there, but we have to market and sell a fighter, it makes a big difference.”
Garry used the analogy of popularised talent competition X Factor, there are lot's of talented acts, however, very few succeed in their efforts to stardom.
It was recently announced that new Contenders signing, GLORY and SuperKombat fighter, Daniel Sam, will be competing for the Super Heavyweight title on the November 8thshow in Middlesbrough.
“We are looking for an opponent for Daniel Sam in Holland, we need to find someone who hasn't had that lucky break yet. I believe there are guys out there in gyms who are better than some of these big stars.
It's big for Contender Promotions but it's also big for whoever we get to fight him, we're sort of marketing new fight stars around the stars we already have.
These cards where they have all these top stars, everybody has already seen that.”
With opportunities such as Fight Star Hunt, the Nathan Cuthbertson memorial tournament, and a rumoured World Grand Prix, Bell is looking to move away from the traditional methods of fight promoting.
“It's definitely growing, it's something different that I'm bringing, I think there are a lot of promoters out there who just follow suit and that's why none of them are growing, and we are growing faster.
“It's definitely growing, it's something different that I'm bringing, I think there are a lot of promoters out there who just follow suit and that's why none of them are growing, and we are growing faster.
The difference to the bigger promotions is they have more financial backing than us.
I believe the way we do things is different, we do a lot more looking after fighters. Whether you are an amateur or professional you get treated the same.“
In closing, Bell stated his high aspirations for Contender Promotions, and making them one of the best kickboxing organisations on the planet.
“We're taking it globally, different countries and in the UK, the same with the Fight Star Hunt. We aren't the top at the moment, but I believe we're on the right path to do that.”
“We're taking it globally, different countries and in the UK, the same with the Fight Star Hunt. We aren't the top at the moment, but I believe we're on the right path to do that.”
You can keep up to date with Contender Promotions Dutch adventure at www.contenderpromotions.co.uk
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