New Brighton’s Cellar Kickboxing Gym looked unstoppable Friday evening as owner/chief instructor Chris Cichon captured the International Kickboxing Federation’s Light Middleweight United States Title. Two of Cichon’s students, Megan Brody and Mitch Whiley were also victorious in very impressive performances.

Chris Cichon, who moved the kickboxing and martial arts school to New Brighton in 2006, won the IKF Amateur Light Middleweight U.S. Title by defeating Leroy Walters (14-2) in the 5 round main event. All three judges scored the bout 50-43 with Cichon wining all 5 rounds and scoring two knockdowns in the process. The promoter of the event was so impressed with Cichon’s performance and the number of students/fans that traveled to see him fight, that he’s already planning to promote a World Title challenge for Cichon, most likely later this fall.

In the preliminary fights of the event, University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Science student, Megan Brody and future champion Mitch Whiley both won their kickboxing matches. Both fighters train at the Cellar Kickboxing Gym in New Brighton.

Megan Brody defeated North Branch, MN native, Heather Evenson in a fight that had the fans going wild. Both ladies exchanged powerful shots, but Brody got the better of the exchanges landing several spinning back-fists that dazed her opponent and earned the unanimous judges decision. Brody improved her record to 2-0.

In just his third amateur fight, Mitch Whiley took on Dave Pekerek, a kickboxer out of North Branch, MN with over 16 fights on his record. Although he looked the less experienced fighter on paper, Whiley showed great poise and ring control as the two traded kicks and punches. Whiley won the fight by judge’s decision, two rounds to one and remains undefeated with a record of 3-0.

Next up for the Cellar Kickboxing Fight Team will be the IKF World Classic Kickboxing Tournament taking place at the World Marriott Center in Orlando, Florida in July.

If anyone has any pictures from the event, please email them to CellarKickboxing@gmail.com or bring them to the gym. More pictures coming soon.