Title fight honours in kick boxing

AJN STAFF

AFTER only seven fights as a kick boxer, Alan Gocs won his first Victorian championship in an International Kick Boxing Federation bout late last month.

Gocs, 22, of Glenhuntly, took up competitive kick boxing a year ago after colleagues at the Martial Mix gym in Glenhuntly encouraged him to take up the sport.

Gocs is the inaugural winner in the 62-kilogram division for Full Muay Thai kick boxing, which allows competitors to use their feet, knees and elbows.

The title bout was held in Hoppers Crossing, west of Melbourne, on November 27 before a crowd of about 1500 people and Gocs was introduced by the MC as the Hebrew Hammer.

“I had fought my opponent earlier this year, but lost to a split decision, so I was confident going into this fight that I could go one better,” said Gocs.

“This match went for four rounds before I was declared the winner. Each round goes for two minutes, but when someone is kicking you in the leg it seems a lot longer.”

Gocs has now won five of his seven fights, but until the title bout he fought most of his events in a higher weight division.

He has to defend his title within a year, but whatever the outcome he will always keep the championship belt.

Gocs is studying for his Bachelor of Education at Victoria University and is an assistant instructor in street defence at the Martial Mix gym.

Among the kids attending his classes are students from the King David School.

At secondary school Gocs was a champion springboard diver, but it was while teaching body combat classes that he tried out kick boxing.

“I fell in love with the sport and as I progressed my trainer at the gym said I was good enough to start fighting,” he said.

“The sport is very popular in Thailand and is growing in popularity in Australia.”