MARTIAL ARTS: Kidderminster full contact karate star Michael Clarke returned to action with a spectacular knockout victory at the Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre.

The 24-year-old Clarke, who won the British Middleweight Title two years ago before being forced into a temporary hiatus, made his comeback against Cannock’s Pete Hollywood.

Clarke floored his opponent three times before the referee called a halt to the contest in the opening round.

The martial artist, who lives on Tomkinson Drive, opened the bout with a spectacular spinning kick to the head that rocked his rival.

When Hollywood returned with a head kick of his own, however, it looked like a hard fight might be ahead for the local lad.

However, Clarke quickly quashed his opponent’s fight back and a hard left hook dropped Hollywood on to his front, where he barely beat the referee’s count.

To his credit, Hollywood tried gamely to take the fight to Clarke, but for his efforts managed only to walk onto more big punches.

A right hand knocked him onto the seat of his trousers, and when another right hand moments later dropped him again, the fight was waved off just two minutes into the bout.

At the time, Clarke led 15-5 and had looked extremely sharp considering he had been out of action for such a while. It was also his second knockout win in a row following his British title victory when he won by opening round TKO to become champion.

Clarke is due to be in action again at the same venue in June, where he may take one more bout before going for his old title again.

Also on the bill, Kidderminster's Kevin Beard made his debut by edging Birmingham's Rashid Saleen in a cruiserweight bout.

Bothtrain at Winspers Gym on New Road. Anyone wanting more information on the gym or martial arts in general can call 01562 865195.