Golden opportunities on horizon for Hunslet-based combat sports trio

The Seacroft-born coach and owner of the Golden Team gym in Hunslet has fighters in boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA) and kick-boxing all out in action from now until April.

Professional boxer Mick Learmonth looks to move his record to 10-0 in a few weeks time, MMA star Marc Diakiese competes at UFC London at the O2 Arena next month and kickboxer Nicola Barke is set for a world title fight in April.

Cruiserweight Learmonth his the first of the trio win action, stepping into his first six-round fight at the Elland Road Pavilion on March 6.

“Mick’s looking absolutely fantastic,” McDonagh said. “He’s coming into this fight on the back of two career-best performances and, hopefully, we’ll make it 10-0.

“We’ve really upped his training now that he’s moving up to six-round fights. We’re progressing him as a fighter.

“He’s spending more hours in the gym and we’re increasing his technical abilities. We’re doing more rounds in his sparring. And, we’re spending more time in the gym in general. We’re doing a bit more with his sprints to get him used to those rounds.

“Mick could have fought over six rounds six months ago, but with the way things have happened, y he hasn’t been able to.”

McDonagh added: “What we’re looking to do if for him to have a couple of six-round fights and then move him onto eight-rounders pretty quickly after that, because I believe that he’s better over the longer distances.”

Diakiese will be aiming for a third consecutive victory when he faces former British champion Jai Herbet on March 21.

The lightweight is currently in camp in Holland, but will be returning to work with ‘stand-up’ coach McDonagh at the end of the month for the final leg of the camp.

McDonagh added: “This is a big fight for Marc as, if he wins this, he’ll have had three wins on the bounce.

“He spent a lot of time from his last fight until January with me but, at the moment, he’s in Holland and he’ll come back to me at the end of February and I’ll finish off his stand-up skills up until his fight.

“It’s going to be a great show and Marc’s been looking strong, fit and sharp and I’m he’ll be ready to go.

“I’m his stand-up coach. So, there’s certain days that we do boxing, certain days we do Thai, depending on his rota.

“Since those defeats, he’s had two wins on the bounce. The training team around him has totally changed and now he’s a happier and healthier fighter.”

Barke, who works as a bank manager through the day, is set for a kickboxing world title shot on April 4 in Luton.

“Nicola’s in against a tough girl from Holland in a five-round fight,” added McDonagh.

“I think that if Nicola keeps training the way that she has been recently then she’ll be victorious and become a world champion.

“She trains very hard and she chins most of the lads in the gym!”