A MAN from Malton is preparing to fight his nephew, a professional cage fighter, to raise funds for a bench honouring his late twin sister despite having no experience in mixed martial arts (MMA).
Saul Davidson, 52, who lives in Malton, is planning the fight to raise funds for a new bench in Bridlington for his late sister, Philippa, from Leeds, who died aged 51 on August 11, one month before her 52nd birthday.
Philippa died after a battle with deep vein thrombosis and kidney failure. She was wife to Steve, and mother to Cassie, Kelly, Ryan and Sheridan.
Her death came a month before her and Saul’s 52nd birthday.
“It felt weird not being able to phone her,” said Saul.
“It feels like a piece of me is missing.”
The family are originally from Leeds, with Saul moving to Malton last year (2021) for his work with Coastliner.
Saul explained that Bridlington was Phillipa’s ‘happy place’ and having a bench in the town would offer the family a place to go and reminisce.
He described his sister as a ‘beautiful soul’ and ‘completely selfless’ with an ‘infectious laugh’.
When the siblings were aged six or seven years old, they found 20p and decided to go the shops.
Saul’s favourites were Mojos, and Philippa’s were Curly Wurlys.
On the way to the shop Saul lost his 10p share.
“I was gutted and sat on the wall outside the shop waiting for her to return,” he said.
Saul then got a shock to see his sister return with 20 Mojos, giving him 10. “She always had others first, even at that age,” he said.
“If she had one penny to her life and I needed it to make up a pound she’d give me that penny.”
Now Saul, is planning a cage fight with his nephew, Ryan, to fund the Bridlington bench in Philippa’s memory.
Ryan, 32, from Leeds, is a mixed martial arts fighter, who has been fighting professionally for the past two years.
Cage fighting is when a mixed martial arts fight takes place in a cage, or similar enclosed arena.
In MMA, fighters incorporate a variety of fighting styles and can strike with elbows, knees, kicks, as well as punches.
The pair aim to hold the fight in the Malton area. Despite Saul having no experience with cage fighting and admitting to knowing very little about the sport, he is keen to take on the challenge for Philippa.
“We want to do this for her,” he said. Saul described himself as being fit and healthy, often attending Derwent Swim and Fitness Centre, in Norton, with his personal trainer, Ollie Verney.
He is now looking for someone to train him up for the fight with Ryan – teaching him how to fight in mixed martial arts.
If you, or someone you know can help Saul prepare for the fight get in touch with him on sauldavidson1970@gmail.com
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