KICK Boxer Jason Curtis faces the biggest fight of his career a week tomorrow in front of 12,000 people.
The 35-year-old British ISKA champion tops the bill for the European middleweight title clash against Irish champion Tommy McCafferty in Liverpool.
McCafferty, who has won all of his 15 kick boxing fights so far, is a late replacement as Jason was orginally due to meet Vinnie Dirusio, an Italian living in Ireland.
“It has all changed as the Irish wanted to put their own champion against me,” said father-of-six Jason.
“I don’t mind. It isn’t like boxing where you watch videos of opponents - at least I don’t.
“I think if I did that I would think about it all too much.
“I do have people who will find out my opponent’s height and physique and things like that but you train to come up against all sizes and types so I feel prepared.”
Jason has had to make the jump from the British to European title as the Commonwealth title holder, Chris McCarty from Middlesbrough - which would have been the logical next step - has broken his cheek bone.
“I wanted to challenge for the European title at some point so I don’t mind,” said Jason who only got into kick boxing six years ago and has had a rapid rise up the ladder, with 18 fights, 12 wins and six losses - including three to World Champions.
“I have fought three World Champions in the past and have always had to fight higher class opponents and the losses came earlier in my career.
“I never had amateur status as a kick boxer but went straight into the professional ranks so I have always had to battle hard.”
Unlike boxing, professional kick-boxing doesn’t quite bring the huge purses although Jason could still pick up around £500 for winning the European crown.
“It isn’t about the money - it is the prestige more than anything. It would be great to get more money as that would set me up financially with my business but the title means the most.”
Luckily Jason’s business is in kick boxing as he owns the Kokoro club which is part of the Northern Dragon Martial Arts Centre on Dale Street.
His wife Alison also teaches there and the pair have six children.
“It has been really hard these last six weeks as I have had to train the hardest I can,” said Jason.
“Kick boxing is my business but I have had to run for an hour every morning then two-and-a-half hours training in the afternoon and then teach at night.
“It is the first time I will go ten rounds, of two minutes each, and this fight has been my sole focus for the last six weeks.
“Three of my children are coming to watch me and about 100 of my family and friends have bought tickets. A lot of my students will also be supporting me.
“It will be very pressurised as it will be the biggest crowd I have ever fought in front of.
“The crowd should be about 12,000 as it is a huge event billed as a “Martial Arts Spectacular” with kick boxing, thai boxing, MMA and boxing.
“I top the bill so I will be a nervous but hopefully it will be a successful night.”
One of Jason’s students Davis Kamara, a former boxer, is also on the bill. The 28-year-old is taking part in his third kick boxing bout.
l THE “Annihilation” Martial Arts spectacular is at the University of Liverpool Sports Centre. Doors open at 6pm and the first fight is at 7pm. Tickets are £20 in advance, £25 on the night. For more information contact 0151 524 9168.
