FIGHTERS from Bury’s GFC Muay Thai delighted a home crowd as they ended the year with a big show.

Venue issues meant the gym ended up using the Masonic Hall in Ashton-under-Lyne but a packed card consisted of 16 bouts, 10 featuring fighters from the home club with five also making the trip from Cyprus.

The show was headlined by a European title defence and a challenge for a World title with the packed-out arena treated to a great night.

Alfie Speake, aged seven, opened the night for GFC and won what was his second bout on points.

His sister Amelia, 10-years-old, then made a very impressive debut and was also a points winner.

Another first-timer, 15-year-old Myles Riley was also victorious before Harry Oldham, aged nine, kept the winning streak going.

Daniel Oxley, 16, was next through the ropes on debut and won a one-sided contest on points before a setback for GFC saw Kyle Jones come out on the wrong side of a points decision.

After the interval, it was time for the big fights on the card with Ella Thompstone, a student at St Gabriel’s RC High School in Bury, defending her European title against the well-seasoned Myria Mattaiou from Cyprus.

The 14-year-old’s firepower was soon evident though as she coasted to a third-round stoppage victory, meaning Thompstone has now won all 18 of her fights.

Next up in a full Thai rules match, Myk Estlick made his return to the ring after a 14-month absence, facing the highly-rated Rob McNee from Liverpool.

After a close, tentative start, Estlick started to pull away and in round three he dropped the visitor for three eight counts with knees to the body and the fight was stopped.

In the main event Lewis Bentley, another student of St Gabriel’s and a four-time British and twice European champion, challenged Andrea Lounano from Cyprus for the WTKA World title.

The defending champion is a decorated junior but it was the 15-year-old home favourite who came out on top with the crowd electric during the hard-fought bout.

Last up for the gym, rising talent Kieran Lee featured in another England against Cyprus bout against Chrisoforos Kesidis.

The first three rounds swung back and forth, then in the fourth the unbeaten Lee burst into life with a relentless knee attack forcing a stoppage.

GFC are planning another show at the same venue on June 6.