10:15am Wednesday 13th January 2010
By Steve Carroll
YORK Thai boxer Oliver Hutchinson is becoming a stir-fry sensation in the sport’s homeland.
The 22-year-old fighter, who is based in Woodthorpe, is cooking up a storm in Thailand and his burgeoning reputation has landed him a top championship title.
Hutchinson moved to Chiang Mai in August to spend a year there as part of his Thai language and South East Asian studies at Leeds University – and to carry on his Thai boxing education in the sport’s spiritual realm.
After two wins, Hutchinson was scouted and invited to fight for the 70 kilogramme open weight championship belt at Chiang Mai City’s prestigious Garila Stadium.
After a gruelling five-round fight against the native Thai title holder, Hutchinson took a convincing points victory and the title of open weight champion of Garila Stadium.
The victory improved Hutchinson’s record to 18 wins, with only two losses, in 20 competitive fights – with both defeats suffered early in his career.
Hutchinson, who fights for Leeds-based Golden Team Thai Boxing Club, will continue to fight in Thailand until he returns to Britain in August.
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