A Muay Thai boxer from Knaresborough made a successful return to the ring in London on Saturday in his first fight for two years.
Nathaniel Kalogiannidis trains at Kao Loi Gym on Skipton Road in Harrogate under head coach Pierre Mahon. Fists, elbows, knees and shins can all be used during Muay Thai bouts.
The 23-year-old fighter competed in front of almost 2,000 fans at Fairfield Halls in Croydon against local fighter Luke Thompson in the Combat Fight Series promotion. Covid had halted his appearances in the ring.
Speaking after the fight, Mr Kalogiannidis said:
“I was really pleased but I’m my biggest critic so coming away from it I know there’s lots I need to work on.
“We’ve spent a lot of time on skills-based training and working on my mindset over the pandemic. It’s important for me to stay switched on. I’m excited to get back out there again.”
The Harrogate fighter was ahead by the third round and upped his pace in rounds four and five to achieve a points victory.
Kalogiannidis (right) in action during Saturday’s fight against Luke Thompson. Photo: Dean John Films
Kalogiannidis fell in love with Muay Thai when he was at King James’s School in Knaresborough. He said he knew from the beginning he’d found his passion.
He trains six days a week, twice a day in the Harrogate gym under the watchful eye of his coach.
He started at Kao Loi aged 13 but then trained full-time in Greece, where his dad lives, for two years before returning to Kao Loi in 2018.
He added:
“I want to mix with the top guys in the world. It’s not about the big titles for me. I just want to keep working hard. It’s what I love to do and I want to keep going.”
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Kalogiannidis is already back in the gym training for his next fight in October.
Pierre Mahon, head coach at Kao Loi, said:
“I am very pleased with this performance after such a long time out of the ring. We have been working on lots of new things in the gym and he has implemented them all in a terrific fight against a tough and more experienced opponent.
“We have another three bouts this year and I can only see him going from strength to strength.”
