For Muay Thai fans in the UK, 2 events are being held this weekend that should whet your appetite for action.

The first of these is the Lee Smith Memorial Show, which takes place at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, Co. Durham on Sunday 30^th September (doors open 1pm). Lee was a good friend and training colleague during my years studying in the northeast of England. He had trained in Muay Thai from the age of 16, and competed nationally and internationally—with 4 British titles among his achievements. However, in June 2007, he tragically lost his life after a motorcycle accident in his home town of Newton Aycliffe.

Since his death, Lee’s family and friends have organised annual events to raise proceeds for the “Lee Smith Trust”—established to provide Muay Thai students in the UK with funding for equipment and overseas training. Although the full line-up for Sunday’s show has yet to be revealed, it has been announced that Reece Mcallister (who made his debut in the K1 Rising tournament in Madrid earlier this year) will be headlining against a French opponent. Please visit http://www.leesmithtrust.co.uk to purchase tickets.

The second event is Dean White’s Championship Muay Thai: No Surrender in September—also taking place on Sunday 30^th September at Batley Frontier, West Yorkshire (doors open 12pm). Dean’s popular events are always well-organized and usually a sell-out. With a line-up that includes 14 Muay Thai fights (including 2 British title fights and 1 European title fight) and 2 boxing fights, this weekend’s show should be no exception. Please contact Dean on 07956 359129 for ticket enquiries.