User:Steve taberner

Steve Taberner 'The Wigan Hammer' Born on the 24th August 1958 from England, is a six times British Cruiserweight and Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion who hailed from the glory days of the C.K.O., P.K.A., W.A.C.O. and the W.K.A. kickboxing organizations. He became the only self taught martial artist to win Major Championships whilst competing as a professional kickboxer.

Also to date the only fighter to win the British Heavyweight Title in only his second fight.

Earned the nickname 'The Wigan Hammer' from Fighters magazine following his second Kickboxing title win over the Legendary Steve Babbs in 1980.

Came back from retirement in 1991 after three years out of the ring to win the last of his Titles, the W.A.K.O. British Heavyweight Championship after defeating the hot favourite knockout specialist European Champion Gary Sandland.

Removed himself from the sport at the peak of his career to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses following his last title win in 1991.

'Fight History'

Steve entered the ring for the first time in November of 1979, following an unprepared encounter with local fight promoter Danny Connor, who he had visited at his Martial Arts shop in Swan Street, Manchester to purchase training equipment to develop his self taught skills.

Whilst engaging in an conversation with Danny, Steve was encouraged to fight as a kickboxer.

When Steve entered the ring for the first time, the crowd were instantly drawn to his flamboyant style, as he completely overwhelmed his opponent 'Junior Fox' taking a first round stoppage win.

Danny the promoter of the event, had found a new contender in Steve, and as strange as it seems wasted no time in offering him a shot at the British Heavyweight kickboxing title against the undefeated hard hitting 'Mohamed Iqbal'.

Following cautious deliberation, In March of 1980 Steve took the fight and won by a unanimous points decision becoming the first and only fighter to take a major title in only his second fight.

Taking a second round knockout win over his next opponent 'Jim Roscoe' in defense of his newly acquired title, Steve was now poised to take on his first International fight against the Dutch Champion 'Rob Shrandt' from the famous Samurai Gym, later in the year promoted by Thai boxing master, 'Master Sken'.

Coming back from a shaky start, Steve wasted no time in disposing of his Dutch opponent, taking another first round knockout win, prompting promoter 'Danny Conner' to contend a title fight with the legendary 'Steve Babbs' at Cruiser Weight for a chance to earn himself a second kickboxing title, a fight many critics thought too early in Steve's career to take on.

To a sell out crowd Steve once again, like those who had previously fallen against him, took the win over 'Steve Babbs' with a compelling unanimous points decision victory.

Everything at this point was going well, until he suffered his first loss at the hands of European champion 'Bert de Frel' from the Maeng Ho gym in Rotterdam at the Enk stadium in Holland. This was a serious knock back for Steve suffering a vicious beating at the hands of de Frel, until he recovered enough to take on his next challenger 'Tony Rothwell' in Warrington, promoted by up and coming entrepreneur 'Paul Finn'.

Following the big set back in Holland, Steve took the win against Rothwell with a first round knockout adding the C.K.O. British Heavyweight title to his collection.

Steve's momentum was briefly halted when he lost the opportunity to add the P.K.A. title to his collection when he suffered a point decision loss against his next opponent 'Winston Greenwood' in London under the watchful eye of 'George Sfetas' European P.K.A. coordinator.

Moving forward following the knock back, Steve went on to take a momentous win against the powerful French Champion 'Tiaolien' in Belle-vue, Manchester as part of the England vs France international, promoted by 'Master Toddy'.

The return fight with the newly crowned P.K.A. European champion 'Winston Greenwood' failed to see Steve re-capture the British P.K.A. crown he was looking for when once again he lost the fight on an arguable split decision.

Not to be out done, Steve recovered enough to take wins against 'Vernon Dore' and 'Lawrence Emans' fighting under the P.K.A. before going into Europe to take on in two weeks 'Uhbert Larnsen' The Belgium Champion and the formidable European Champion 'Frank Lobman' of Holland.

The fight against Larnsen went well in Steve's favour when he scored a devastating knockout in round three of the fight. Unfortunately Steve could not raise the bar high enough to take a win over knockout specialist Lobman, losing on a points decision, but nevertheless had done enough to satisfy the Europeans that he was a force to be reckoned with.

Steve's next victory was against the mighty 'Tyrone' when he captured the P.K.A. title, something he had failed to win during his previous attempts. Unfortunately Steve lost his next fight on a points decision at the hands of the talented 'Steve Babbs' before being given the opportunity of fighting in the W.A.C.O. World championships at Wembley in 1983.

The fights didn't go as everyone was expecting with Steve only taking one win and two draws out of the contest which was not enough to win him the World Championship.

Steve's next two fights saw him recover well enough to take good knockout wins against 'Dave Parrington' up in Newton Aycliffe and 'Jim Woods', fighting under the W.K.A. banner in an England vs Ireland International.

Steve was once again on a great run of victories, taking wins over 'Tony Sykes' in defense of his C.K.O. Heavyweight title and against 'Carlos Furlan' during an England vs Italy international.

Steve sadly lost his next fight and the P.K.A. title on a controversial points decision against 'Lawrence White' before moving forward and taking a worthy win under W.K.A. rules against the heavy hitting 'Branco Pavlavitch' in London.

The loss against 'Lawrence White' was avenged when Steve took the prestigious W.K.A. heavyweight title with a worthy and vengeful win against Lawrence six months later.

Steve was to take his final loss against the mighty hands of 'Matt Skelton' when he lost on a points decision in 1988 before he announced his retirement from the sport.

Three and a half years later to the astonishment of those around him came back from retirement and unexpectedly took the W.A.C.O Heavyweight title when he defeated the three fighters placed in front of him. 'Tyrone Houston', 'Nick Evans' and 'Gary Sandland', in what has been described as the most dramatic and eventful heavyweight fight to date, before prematurely and to the disappointment of many, permanently hanging up his gloves.

Twenty one years later, following Steve's last fight and retirement, he released his autobiography in June of 2012, aptly named 'The Wigan Hammer'

The official book signing event was staged in Wigan during the summer of 2012. Witnessed and attended by huge crowds who had traveled all over the world to be part of the event. Guests included, (International Kickboxing referee) 'John Blackledge', (World Featherweight kickboxing Champion) 'Howard Brown', 'David Atkinson', (British Kickboxing Champion) 'John Atkinson', (European Featherweight Kickboxing Champion) 'Phil Glover', (British Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion) 'Mohammed Iqbal' (British Middleweight Kickboxing Champion) 'Alby Bimbson' and (World Lightweight Kickboxing Champion) 'Ronnie Green'.

Later in the year 2012 Steve was inducted into the 'Martial Arts Illustrated' hall of fame.