A mother and son kickboxing duo are celebrating after both won their respective fights in front of a packed crowd recently.The Stowmarket Kickboxing Fight Night proved to be a nerve-racking evening for experienced fighter Trisha Hill who, in addition to fighting herself, was preparing to see her eleven year-old son Jon-Jay compete in his first ever ring bout.

By Stuart Watson

A mother and son kickboxing duo are celebrating after both won their respective fights in front of a packed crowd recently.

The Stowmarket Kickboxing Fight Night proved to be a nerve-racking evening for experienced fighter Trisha Hill who, in addition to fighting herself, was preparing to see her eleven year-old son Jon-Jay compete in his first ever ring bout.

Jon-Jay, who attends Westbourne High School, opened the show in front of a crowd approaching 200, beating his opponent in a close contest.

Mother Trisha said: “It was a very proud moment for me watching Jon-Jay step into the ring, but I got all the butterflies in my belly that I remember getting for my first fight.

“As far as I was concerned, he was a winner for just getting in the ring. It's really nerve-wracking, especially in front of a big audience with the spotlights on you.

“When you are in the ring yourself you don't worry so much about getting hurt, but when you see one of your own you do get slightly nervous.”

Having watched her son win, Trisha then stepped into the ring herself to display a performance of fast kicking and punching combinations to also seal victory.

IFKKA Area Title holder Trisha started kickboxing six and a half years ago, and now trains alongside her two sons, including ten-year-old Charlie, at Ipswich's Mick Blackwell Martial Arts Academy.

Mick Blackwell said: “It's amazing how many families train together now. When we first opened we never had family classes, but we had so many mums, dads and children join asking whether they could train together.”

Trisha said: “It's a great form of fitness for us all and it's nice for us to be able to do it together as a family. I will train up to six times a week, while the boys are training three or four days a week.

“They know they have to be disciplined to do the kickboxing and are very good children at home because of it.

“It's also reassuring because, with all the talk of bullying across schools, it's nice to know they can protect themselves.

“I'm now hoping to get some more titles in the sport and Jon-Jay is hoping he can follow in my footsteps.”