A MAJOR kickboxing show will be staged at Chester Racecourse later this month.
The event - which will benefit the Chronicle -backed Miles of Smiles charity - will showcase some of the best local talent including two schoolboys from Chester who are just starting out in the sport.
Billed as Lords of the Ring, the main draw for Cestrians will be 'Dangerous' Dave Newbrook, a former world champion who used to attend Chester Roman Catholic High School in Handbridge.
Chester-born Dave, 28, has fought all over the world but is delighted to come back to his home city.
He said: 'I've had some good experiences fighting abroad but there is always a great atmosphere here.'
Dave returned to kickboxing 18 months ago after a four-year break and is building up to a possible world title fight at the end of the year.
While this may be his last year actively competing, in the future he aims to pass on his knowledge of the martial art to another generation.
John Henry MacNamara, 15, who attends Christleton High School, is one such hopeful aiming to follow in Dave's footsteps.
John has been in the sport for a year-and-a-half but admits he still gets nervous before a bout.
Danny 'Boy' Parker, 15, who attends Blacon High School is also fighting at the racecourse. He is in preparation to join the army when he leaves school.
Both boys have bouts against opponents from outside Chester. Also fighting will be 33-year-old Spencer Wilding from Rhyl who has appeared in Batman Begins and Harry Potter among other productions.
Lords of the Ring begins at 3pm on Sunday, February 12, at Chester Race-course and will run to about 6.30pm.
Tickets at £20, children £11, are available from the Racecourse on 01244 304607 or through the information and ticket line on 0871 989 9829.
Dave Newbrook runs classes at the Northgate Arena and West Cheshire College's campus in Handbridge. To get involved ring him on 07929 330954.
