Kickboxer Kade claims Commonwealth title

Kade Hardy (third from right) celebrates his Commonwealth title success after beating Luke Kennedy in Alfreton.

Hardy, 15, who lives in Hucknall and is a pupil at Ashfield School, overcame Lincoln’s Luke Kennedy in the -54kg category at the Genesis Centre to add the title to the British, English and Midland area belts he has already won.

It capped what had been a gruelling ten-week training programme for Hardy, who had to abstain from such treats as sweets, chocolate and fizzy drinks in order to stay in good shape.

Dad Brendan said: “For a young lad to dedicate himself to it in such a way is impressive as he sacrifices a great deal to succeed, everything from certain foods to socialising with his mates.

“He has also received fantastic support from sponsors Ashfield Tyres who have been helping him financially and have said they will back him all the way, so we’re really grateful to them.”

Kade, who has been kickboxing since the age of five, trains in Matlock alongside former world champion Scott Taylor and now has his sights set on a world championship bout of his own next year.

Brendan added: “We’ve a date set (March 28) and are now in talks to get an opponent sorted out.

“Kade has been asked to join the Team GB set-up as well but has so far had to decline due to the big fights he’s been preparing for, but that door remains open.

“If he gets the world title it’ll then be a case of deciding whether to go professional, either as a boxer or in mixed martial arts. He’s already been signed up to an MMA school in Kirkby so he can start learning that discipline.