Some of the action at the first-ever Full Force-Harley-Davidson Motorcycles sparring competition at Blacktown

More than 30 wannabe fighters lived their fantasies on Saturday, September, thanks to Filipino kickboxing champion and promoter Reinhard Badato of Full Force Gym and the Harley-Davidson Motorcycles shop in Blacktown.

In an Australian first, the promoting venture held a one-day sparring competition among novices at the shop’s complex. In fact, most wannabes had never put on boxing gloves and shin pads before.

”It was an exciting and remarkable day,” said Full Force liaison officer Michelle Badato.

Living their fighting fantasies

”This was an opportunity for any student to take their training to the next level and gain valuable experience in sparring.,” explained Reinhard. ”The competition was not about winning. It was about learning how to fight in a controlled environment.”

There were two Olympic-size boxing rings, and a two referees to control the bouts. Fighters were matched according to their weight, height, and level of skills.

”This was not a full-contact competition,” Reinhard said. ”And competitors were able to choose from the codes of boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, and mixed martial arts to compete.”

Each bout went three rounds of 1min 30sec. Every competitor received a trophy.

For spectators there was free barbecue, a motorcycle show, and kickboxing demonstrations. Admission was free.

Michael Badato, at right, starts his attack on Oliver Garas early in round one.

Blacktown’s Full Force Gym produced mixed results at the No Contest Academy full Muay Thai rules kickboxing main events at St Marys Band Club in Sydney’s outer-west recently.

In the most spectacular bout, super-middleweight Michael Badato pulverised Oliver Garas of Taipan Gym in one round. There was no place to hide for Garas as the Filipino-Australian went for the kill from the opening bell and dropped Garas for the count in less than a minute.

Junior-lightweight Joe Concha, another Fil-Aussie from Full force Gym, tore ”GI” Joe Arthur of Maroochidore apart and cut him to pieces so badly the referee stopped the contest in the fourth of a five-rounder.

So impressive and comprehensive was Concha’s all-around skills and punching power that he was named fighter of the night.

In another main event, Full force Gym’s Von Badato lost his WMC welterweight state title to another Fil-Aussie, Jeff Lanes of Liverpool, through a stoppage in the fourth round.

Lanes’ elbows over Badato’s shoulders effectively drained the champion, who surrendered on his knees after going down three times.

But elder brother Michael was all excited about his quick disposal of Garas earlier: “After a left jab, I just went in with overhand elbows to his head,” he said. “It cut the other guy’s head open and there was just blood everywhere. He tried to get up but just dropped back down.”

Two other Fil-Aussies, Chester Ferro of Full Force Gym and Epi Valenzuela of Bulldog Gym Parramatta, won their bouts in three-round curtain-raisers.

Full Force Gym public relations officer Michelle Badato announced that the fighters’ next major promotion will be held sometime in September.