Amateur kickboxers will compete without shin guards in Windsor this Sunday, in what organizers say will be the first bouts of their kind in Windsor-Essex. King Striking Series returns to the WFCU Centre Banquet Hall on Sept. 20 for its sixth event, with 11 bouts scheduled. Four main-card matchups will be bare-shin contests, meaning fighters will compete without protective shin padding. The card features athletes from Windsor-Essex, elsewhere in Canada and the U.S. Beyond Sunday’s matchups, organizers say they want KINGSS to help amateur competitors work toward the professional ranks. “We really wanted to bring amateur athletes an opportunity to be onto the big stage here,” co-organizer Jesse Joseph told CTV News. “And that’s what we’re trying to do with KINGSS is give amateur athletes locally and internationally, a chance to come and compete and show their skills off and make their way to be professional athletes in the future.” Asked about feedback from fighters who have appeared on previous cards, Joseph pointed to the atmosphere. “The energy is amazing. The vibe is great,” he said. “We provide a great, entertaining event for everybody, families involved.” The main event will pit Windsor’s Jeffery Labutte-Seage against JC Szempias of Ann Arbor, Mich., in a 175-pound bout. The event is presented by the KINGSS Combat Sports Foundation and Windsor Thai Boxing and sanctioned by WAKO Canada. Doors open Sunday at 12:30 p.m., with the first fight scheduled for 1:30 p.m. All ages are welcome, parking is free and tickets are available online.
