Sapphire Mixed Martial Arts (SMMA) fighters travelled to Casino last Saturday, taking on Australia’s ranking fighters vying for the national title. Local Muay-Thai champion Darren Finn and fighters John Berger, Charles Boney and David Collins joined the NSW team, hauling home awards on all fronts.
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Super heavy weight Collins took out a bronze medal after a punch-for-punch bout with the current Australian Champ.
Berger made a spectacular show, stepping into the ring on two occasions returning crowd-pleasing performances. He made short work of the first of his two appearances, putting in a flawless performance to win in the second round.
In his second winning appearance, the local fighter took on a much taller opponent and in a spectacular show closed the distance to deliver a volley of power shots in a back-and-forth bout to the finish.
“John should’ve held this title years ago and I’ve rated him higher than most former champions I am so proud and happy for everyone its meant the world to me they reached them goals in this sport,” Finn said.
Young contender Boney also made his mark, taking on a tough opponent from the Roberts’ clan. Fighters were equally hungry for the win, but confidence from the corner brought forward Boney’s most impressive performance to date, cementing his status as a fighter to watch on the national circuit.
“Our family are so proud of him,” Finn said. “I’ve put in all my knowledge and experience in hopes he reaches the potential we could see and on the weekend he did it in style.”
Finn attended as both trainer and fighter and secured the Australian Lightweight Title by default after his Queensland opponent forfeited. Finn claimed a dual championship in two separate weight divisions.
“I am not happy with how I won the title,” he said.
“I will defend it at any given chance.”
SMMA fighters are currently in hard training preparing for the for Champions Fight Night to be held at the Inverell Race Course on Saturday, November 8.