By WALTER ALIBEY Thursday, November 5 2009

AFTER 18 years of kick-boxing Donald Snaggs is finally getting his chance at a world title fight.

He will take on Dave Faulkner, the world No 2 ranked kick-boxer from the United Kingdom for the Golden Belt Super Middleweight title at the Central Regional Indoor Sports Arena, Saith Park Chaguanas on November 21.

Snaggs admitted at a press conference at the Police Mess Hall, Long Circular Road, St James on Tuesday that he has waited 18 years for the opportunity.

In his illustrious career the 36-yea-old Snaggs has fought 21 fights; achieving seven knock-outs and losing just once. He has earned the rights to be called the National, Caribbean, Pan American and Intercontinental champion.

He explained that his training has intensified recently for the contest, as he now trains three times daily for seven days.

The contest will be the first time that a Trinidad and Tobago fighter will be competing for a world title in kick-boxing and Snaggs told the media that he is confident of a victory.

“I do not know much about him but I understand that his mind is a bit weak and I intend to capitalise on that,” Snaggs said.

Should Snaggs win the encounter it will push Trinidad and Tobago up on par with the top fighters in the world. But his reign could be short-lived as he explained that he is willing to call it a day in the sport soon.

From the encounter both fighters will walk away with $1,000, win loss or draw but trainer and manager Bharath Ramoutar said the value will be a lot more, in terms of development and setting the path for young kick-boxers.

According to Ramoutar, the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs has supported the event by providing 20 percent of the cost.

The fight will be the main bout on a five-bout card that will also feature a semi-main event between Trinidad and Tobago’s Prince Lee Isidore and Englishman Luke Smith for the Golden Belt Hardcore Lightweight title.

Ramoutar explained that “Hardcore” is a combination of five different fighting styles into one bout. They include boxing, low kick-boxing, full contact boxing, muay thai and mixed martial arts.

Isidore is a former amateur kick-boxing champion and yesterday he expressed confidence about winning the contest. Tickets are reasonably priced at $150-Ringside and $100 for general admission.

Also on the undercard will be battles by the country’s two better fighters Sherwin Collins and Stephan Mollineau among others.