Kickboxer Jamie Petch beats AJ ‘Rocky’ Welsh to win ISKA Four Nations Pro K1 title

A kickboxer who runs his own club in Bishop’s Stortford has set his sights on a world crown after winning his ninth title belt at the weekend.

Jamie Petch, 30, beat Irishman AJ ‘Rocky’ Welsh in the headline bout at the Combat Kings 5 Fight Night which took place at Herts and Essex Sports Centre on Saturday evening.

The triumph secured him the ISKA Four Nations Pro K1 title and preserved his five-year unbeaten record.

And Petch, who set up his Switch Kick Mafia Kickboxing and Muay Thai club in Stortford last year, is targeting a world belt next year after being forced out of a world title fight this summer due to injury.

Petch is originally from Little Hadham and went to Little Hadham Primary School before attending The Bishop’s Stortford High School.

He started martial arts training at the age of five and was part of the Kyokujitsu Kyokushin Karate Club run by his mum, Senpai Catherine Petch.

He transferred his skills from full contact karate to kickboxing when at university in Bristol and has since won national and international titles, including British and European championship belts.

Petch went into the weekend’s bout against unbeaten 21-year-old fighter Welsh having just returned from Thailand where he participated in an intensive four-week Muay Thai training camp. During his time there he had two stadium fights against experienced Thai boxers and won both by knockout to make it five consecutive KOs.

The showdown at the Beldams Lane complex comprised three three-minute rounds and Petch quickly asserted his authority, using expert head movement to avoid the Irishman’s punches and responding with a flurry of on-target punches and knee kicks.

He then executed an excellent roundhouse kick to the head in the second round and, within seconds, floored his opponent with a succession of punches and knees.

Welsh showed real determination to jump to his feet, but Petch knocked him down again with a hook to the head and the referee called it a day.

“I am so grateful for my students’ support and that of the local community for turning out in force on Saturday to cheer me on,” said Petch. “My victory was made all the sweeter for being my first fight on home territory.

“The club has grown tremendously over the past 18 months and we have fighters entering and winning competitions countrywide. The atmosphere and spirit here are amazing.”