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We take a closer look at the furry friends that accompany some of our favourite fighters on a daily basis.
Tribute to Yakuza
International Kickboxer thought we would use this column as an opportunity to pay a special tribute to a very important friend, Yakuza! This special dog touched Jason Suttie's life, as well as everyone at Elite Thai Kickboxing. Yakuza was renowned as Jason's sidekick as he escorted Jason into the ring before every fight in New Zealand. Sadly, he passed away the day before a K-1 Oceania event that Jason was competing in. The fights that night were dedicated to Yakuza and Jason wore a black armband when he fought and KO'd his opponent that night. Out of respect for his missing ring entrance partner, Jason had no ring entrance music for a year following Yakuza's death. Yakuza has been with Elite Thai Kickboxing since it opened and there is a huge mural of him in the gym. So, Yakuza we dedicate this column to you and the wonderful role you played in Jason and ETK's life!
Jason Suttie & Narak
Pet Profile
Name: Narak (Thai for ‘cute') Age: 4 Breed: American Staffordshire Terrier x Pitbull Number of Street Fights: 0 Record: 0 Battle Wounds: 0...she's a lover, not a fighter, which is a different side to how this breed is usually portrayed! She is a permanent fixture at Elite Thai Kickboxing.
Nicole Brolan & Molly
Pet Profile
Name: Molly Age: 10 months Breed: Golden Retriever Number of Street Fights: 10 Record: 8 wins, 2 losses, 5 via KO Battle Wounds: 10 stitches to date, but the way she fights, there will be more to come!
Stuart McKInnon, Ollie & Lindy
Pet Profile
Name: Ollie or Wolly to her friends! Age:13 months Breed: Grey American Staffy Number of Street Fights: She's a lover not a fighter Record: N/A Battle Wounds: Bite marks from annoying my sparring partner Lindy!
Pet Profile
Name: Lindy or Winky Age: 9 Breed: Short-haired, tri-colour Border Collie. Number of Street Fights: Too many to count. Record: 8 fights 6 wins Battle Wounds: One blind eye (took on a horse and lost)
Nick Stone & Geezer The Cat
Pet Profile
Name: Geezer Age: 3 Breed: Russian Blue Number of Street Fights: 2 fights Record: 2 losses Battle Wounds: Hole in the ear
Daniel Piccolotto, Gounta & Peanut
Pet Profile
Name: Gounta Age: 3 years Breed: Rotti Number of Street Fights: Like a Thai, who knows, maybe 350+ Record: Undefeated Battle Wounds: None...too big, too strong! He is a clinch and knee fighter.
Pet Profile
Name: Peanut Age: 6 months Breed: Chihuahua x Foxy Number of Street Fights: Only interclub sparring. Record: N/A Battle Wounds: None, only padded fights! IK |