EWC 9 – The Return!

It has been more than 6 months since EWC last put on a fight event and what a return the chaps at EWC made in their first event back on the local Amateur circuit. The fight card was littered with a host of debutants among the 15 fights and promised to finish off with a BANG as both Bantamweight and Middleweight titles were on the line as the main-card headline fights.

Great Gym Support

The number of gyms electing to support the return of EWC was most encouraging and the performances by all the athletes was incredible to watch. The production of the entire event reminded me of a mini-professional event which is exactly what EWC President Dwain Meredith said would be as one of the major aims. Chatting to other gym owners after the event, all of them had committed to sending fighters due to the sheer quality of what they had witnessed.

Solid Amateur Performances

Looking at the fights on the night, the number of KO’s was amasing with me the writer scratching his head to remember when last an amateur MMA event had witnessed so many KO’s on one night – and that was just the Under Card. The Main Card was a great mix of styles and resulted in some very entertaining fights for the almost capacity crowd to enjoy. Numerous performance bonuses were issued on the night for Fight of the Night (FOTN), Submission of the Night and KO of the Night – all of which were more than well deserved.

Slight Confusion

Like all things new or newly returning, there were some issues that I am sure the team at EWC will be planning to fix for their next event. Firstly the confusion around the fight card and the order of the next fights although this only happened on 2 occasions, it let slip from what was an otherwise very slick event which I might add, started ON TIME – something most amateur events are not able to do. Adding to the confusion was the fact that despite not making weight, the co-main event – the Bantamweight bout between Delafield and Gcinumkhondo – was deemed an interim title fight over 3 rounds with the strap only being made available in its interim capacity if Gcinumkhondo proved victorious! The result dis go in the favour of Gcinumkhondo who, despite 2 illegal blows and a point deduction, won by submission late in the 3^rdround. Chatting to EWC President Dwain Meredith after the event, he was emphatic as he stated that “being a promotion that is run by fighters-for-fighters, it was unfair for Martin Gcinumkhondo not to fight for some form of title as it was not him that had missed weight.” 

At the end of it all, judging from the MASSIVE crowd that stayed until the very last fight, a great time was had by all as they watched the crowning on the new EWC Middleweight Champion – JT Botha.