Pulling no punches

One of Glossop’s up-and-coming young champions is set to face his biggest challenge yet as he takes on the World Kickboxing Organisation Open World Championships this weekend. 

Jack Doyle, 18, is set to face off against Holland’s Jayden Kooijman on Saturday, just months after he beat South Shields’ Lucas Britton to first place in the English Open in February.  

“It’s a K1 World Championship, which a bit like Thai boxing, but they don’t allow elbows and things like that,” explained Dave Breed, owner of Dave Breed Black Belt Academy, who has trained Jack for 12 years. “It’s a hybrid system that has gained a lot of popularity worldwide. 

“Jack’s fighting a very strong opponent from Holland, but Jack’s very, very good. He’s one of my senior black belts. It’s his first attempt at the world stage, and Jack will be a handful for anybody.” 

This weekend’s match comes after Jack spent two weeks in Thailand training for the fight. Speaking to the Chronicle, Jack said: “[It was] hard training, five hours a day. But it was a good experience, I learned a lot. 

“It was a lot of traditional Thai boxing, so a lot of clinch, a lot of elbows, and then a lot of tricks and all that.” 

Jack began training officially at the age of six, though his experience pulling punches truly began from a much earlier age. “My dad was a boxer originally, and he taught me since I could walk how to throw a punch,” he said. 

“He got me into a club, and I’ve stayed there ever since. Obviously I drift between two clubs - my main one is Dave’s - and the other one is Evade Martial Arts in Mossley.” 

Dave Breed has been running training clubs for over thirty years. After his last academy closed during the Covid pandemic, the Black Belt Academy opened in April, offering training to both children and adults in martial arts and kickboxing.  

“There’s a real hotbed of juniors coming through our classes,” Dave said. “Well over 150 black belts have trained through my academy – we’ve got a proven, historical system producing national and world champions. 

“Jack’s a young lad, and it just shows what focus and discipline does.” 

Jack went through his feelings ahead of Saturday’s fight. “Obviously, I’m feeling a little bit nervous - but I feel confident,” he said. 

“I just hope to compete to my best ability, what I know I can do. As long as I perform to my best, hopefully I’ll get the job done and win the title.”