Auckland, New Zealand – April 17
An exciting night of amateur MuayThai action unfolded at The Y in Auckland, as two New Zealand titles were contested under the promotion of Art of War, led by Tony Angelov.
In the headline welterweight contest, reigning champion Kyrie Choudhury (Team Hardcore Thaiboxing, Auckland) successfully defended his title in impressive fashion against Andrew Fraenkel (MTI Wellington).
The bout opened with a competitive and back-and-forth first round, with both fighters showing composure and technical skill. However, Choudhury raised the intensity in round two, unleashing a series of heavy punches that overwhelmed Fraenkel. Unable to recover from the sustained attack, the referee stepped in to stop the contest, awarding Choudhury a decisive victory and a successful title defense.
In the co-main event, history was made as the inaugural amateur middleweight title was contested between Thomas Lewis (MTI Wellington) and Lukas Taia (Ghostfist Lee Gar).
Over five rounds, the fight showcased a classic stylistic clash. Taia displayed sharp striking and distance control, while Lewis imposed relentless pressure in the clinch. Lewis’ consistency and control in close range proved to be the difference, earning him a unanimous decision victory and crowning him the first amateur middleweight champion.
The event highlighted the growing strength and depth of amateur MuayThai in New Zealand, with high-level performances and competitive matchups across the card. Promoter Tony Angelov and the Art of War team delivered a well-organized and entertaining night, further cementing Auckland as a key hub for the sport in the region.