Muay Thai, Kick Boxing and Martial Arts in Brisbane

Andrew Keogh - ‘The Homecoming’

Monday, September 1st, 2008« go back to the main news page

IT’S being billed as ‘The Homecoming’ - and the biggest fight show Mackay has ever seen.
Former Mackay man Andrew ‘K.O’ Keogh will return to his roots on September 27 in pursuit of a coveted Thai Boxing world title crown.
The highly-anticipated event is being held to help raise awareness for the S.A.F.E (Securing A Female’s Environment) Program, an initiative designed to help protect women, children and the elderly.
Keogh, who is ranked eighth in the world, will collide with Cambodian star Meas Chantha for the vacant ISKA Professional World Welterweight Title at the Mackay Indoor Sports Arena, Mackay Harbour.
“I feel really privileged to be able to fight for this title and even more privileged to do it in my home town,” the 30-year-old said.
But the former Mackay State High student will confront an indomitable foe.
Nicknamed ‘The Dragon’ for the full canvas tattoo on his back, Chantha is one of the globe’s leading kickboxers in his weight class.
The 23-year-old carries a record of 48 fights with 34 wins.

“He’s very popular in Cambodia because he has beaten some of the world’s best Thai fighters but I’m very confident,” Keogh said.
Keogh, who has had 48 bouts for 30 wins, is the current South Pacific champion and is riding high on confidence after defeating Australian champ Frank Giorgi in a much-hyped bout on the Gold Coast.
“I probably cruised a bit through the first couple of rounds but then picked it up and I dominated that fight,” he said.
Keogh trained for 10 years in Mackay but he’s now based in Brisbane where he has been working hard at PowerhouseNRG under the guidance of multiple world champion Ian Jacobs.
Jacobs, who is also a founder of S.A.F.E and a promoter for the night, said it was unusual for a highly-prestigious kickboxing event to be held in a city the size of Mackay.
“The bottom line is that this sort of event normally could not be held in a place like this. You would normally be looking at a minimum of 10,000 (spectators),” he said.
But Keogh was desperate to put on a show for the Mackay fans and Jacobs and his team helped answer the call.

The evening’s action is set to feature the main event and five under-card fights, all of which are for state, national or international titles but it will be Keogh’s bout which is sure to have the locals packed ring-side.
And Jacobs believed his man was in prime condition after stamping his authority on the national stage.
“He’s wiped out every one in this country...and since he’s been with me we’ve fought the best of the best,” he said.
But his young charge faces the ultimate test at Mackay in a month’s time.

Tickets for seats and corporate tables are available from the Mackay Entertainment Centre.

Courtesy of the Daily Mercury - Mackay.....Thanks Steele......