Kirkwood "Fire" Walker

“A lot of people here hear that I’m a kick-boxer and assume I must be a thug. The truth is I’ve got a degree and I’m in a caring profession. I see sports as art forms”.

[quote taken from Express & Star 13 December 1996]

Kirkwood was one of ten children. He became one of the icons of world Thai Boxing. Kirkwood is the greatest kick boxer to come from Wolverhampton.

Sport

Until he turned professional Kirkwood worked as a child protection officer.

Throughout his career Kirkwood accumulated a number of national and world titles. In his heyday Kirkwood dominated the sport in his weight category. In 1987 Kirkwood won the British Light Heavyweight title in a contest held at the Hammersmith Palais, London.

1996 – At 29 he retained his Thai Super Cruiser weight Boxing title with a 7th round knock out of his opponent, Grant Barker in front of a 12,000 strong crowd in Sydney, Australia.

1996 – Beat Japan’s Tekaru with a 4th round KO at Nagoya in front of a 15,000 strong crowd and 20 million television viewers to win a World Thai Boxing title.

1997 – Lost WKA World Thai Boxing title.

He held the World Kick-Boxing Association title and the World Thai Boxing title.

By 1998 Kirkwood held four world championship titles; two in Thai boxing and two in kickboxing. He also set a world record for the most kicks in 1 minute, with 101 kicks.

His career has taken him to places such as Australia, China (Hong Kong), France, Holland, Japan (Tokyo), Russia (Moscow) and Thailand.

Although retired from competition, Kirkwood continues to inspire and train a new generation of kick boxers from the Fire walker Health & Fitness Centre. They include Michelle Newell who became the first Black woman from Wolverhampton to win a world kick boxing title.

“I’m not all that bothered about being a star but I just want the recognition I deserve after more than 10 years at the top of my sport”[quoted in Express & Star, 11 April 1996]

List of achievements

• In 1987 Kirkwood won the British Light Heavyweight title in a contest held at the Hammersmith Palais, London.
• 1996 – At 29 he retained his Thai Super Cruiserweight Boxing title with a 7th round knock out of his opponent, Grant Barker in front of a 12,000 strong crowd in Sydney, Australia.
• 1996 – Beat Japan’s Tekaru with a 4th round KO at Nagoya in front of a 15,000 strong crowd and 20 million television viewers to win a World Thai Boxing title.
• 1997 – Lost WKA World Thai Boxing title.
• He held the World Kick-Boxing Association title and the World Thai Boxing title.
• By 1998 Kirkwood held four world championship titles; two in Thai boxing and two in kickboxing. He also set a world record for the most kicks in 1 minute, with 101 kicks.
• His career has taken him to places such as Australia, China (Hong Kong), France, Holland, Japan (Tokyo), Russia (Moscow) and Thailand.