Aviv will grapple with a tough test at River Park

AVIV Mayaan will be tackling a major challenge in the wrestling ring in Winchester tomorrow night (Saturday 17th).

The 18-year-old Israeli is taking on FWA British heavyweight champion Doug Williams in an exhibition bout at the River Park Leisure Centre.

Aviv works at the Centre as a leisure assistant and has been learning the skills of wrestling during the past year or so at the FWA Academy in Portsmouth.

He does not fit the image of a stereotypical wrestler, standing at five foot nine inches and weighing in at a little over ten stone. His opponent, meanwhile, is exactly what many people consider a wrestler should be, weighing in at almost 17 stone.

But event promoter Mark Sloane says it won't necessarily be a one-sided contest.

"It's not the size of the fighter, but the size of the fight he brings that matters," he said.

"The different styles that the two men have is what will make it interesting. Aviv is a more daring risktaker, while Doug, a former national judo champion, is a more skilled mat based technician."

Aged 30, Williams has been wrestling for a number of years and is preparing for a forthcoming tour of Japan.

Said Sloane: "The fact that Aviv is massively outweighed doesn't really matter in a contest like this.

"This is purely an exhibition and will give him some valuable experience."

Aviv has been in training for around 18 months, following his dream to become a real player in the British professional wrestling scene. He trains four days a week, and works out tirelessly to achieve his goal.

The contest between the two is one of many on the bill in the main hall at River Park. It's the first of a series of monthly exhibition wrestling evenings at the Centre featuring some of the country's top performers.

The show includes an FWA Academy title match and a four-team tag contest. Future shows will also feature top wrestlers facing the Academy's rising stars.

The doors at River Park open at 6.30pm tomorrow; tickets (£6) can be bought on the door or by pre-booking on 02392 717945.