Dryden wins fight night national bout

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
HEALESVILLE fighter Jack Dryden fought a close contest to win against Lilydale’s Kris Gavric in the National Fight Competition circuit.
Fighters packed the Lilydale Youth Club with more than 14 clubs competing from as far as Bairnsdale and Geelong.
The competition is for fighters of any level, in particular fighters just starting out, with a mix of boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts fights.
The Lilydale club put up 17 fighters with a result of nine wins and a draw, which trainer Nick Lundh said was a fantastic result.
“We’re trying to get much needed experience for Australian fighters so they can take on the world,” he said.
Fight ‘N’ Fitness trainer, and current world middle weight kickboxing champion, Lundh said competitors were given much-needed ring experience without the required preparation for full contact competitions or the risk of injuries.
Five boys from Healesville entered the competition, trained in boxing by Lee Dryden. Jack Dryden and Jake Rosser, 12, both won their bouts. Lundh said the other Healesville boys put up great close contests against opponents with much more experience.
He said the day’s events saw 19 boxing, nine Muay Thai, two kickboxing and seven MMA bouts. “This is the only event that offers all these fighting disciplines in the one place,” he said. “These events are seen as a pathway to the professional fight nights with some events also held at Lilydale.”
A professional boxing bout will be held on 24 March including pro fighters from Australia, USA and Thailand, while the next Fight Night will take place on 31 March. Both events will be held at the Lilydale Youth Club on Market Street.