Our Story

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KO Combat Academy was founded by Bill Judd in 1976. It was started in church halls as a group of friends who got together to train Muay Thai/Kickboxing. It grew alongside Bill into the legacy that it has today.

K.O grew in the 70s, from church halls to a sports hall at Covent Garden, to a full time gym in Grays Essex, then to the Lonsdale gym in Carnaby Street. Moving to Walthamstow in the 80’s K.O then moving to Tottenham sports centre shortly after; working in an annexed area. It became one of the first martial arts centre to provide comprehensive Muay Thai/kickboxing training in the UK.

K.O opened up a gym in Pundersons Gardens in Bethnal Green in the 90’s, moving to Wadeson Street (just briefly) and eventually in the early 2000’s the famous arches in Bancroft Road, Bethnal Green that we know today.

Bill comes from a sporting background. Having spent his entire life training, starting at a very young age, his father put him into judo classes, Kung Fu and boxing; instilling discipline and physical activity into his daily schedule. Bill is an accomplished fighter highly respected by his peers; holding the highest level of qualifications in multiple disciplines and a BASC degree in sports science. .

His experiences in Thailand during the 1970s was where he encountered Mauy Thai, being impressed not just with the physical nature of the art but also the mental attributes. Being a martial art with great spiritual roots, grounded in respect towards one’s opponent and ones teachers, it made deep resonance with Bill.

When asked about his influences as a coach Bill cites gratitude and influence on his development to Sensei Matsuro Otani, Sensei Frank Skingsley his tutor at a young age, Grand master C.K Chang, Master Kam, Master Bun Riang for his teachings on Muay Thai and Chee Soo for his philosophical teachings on Tauism and Buddhism.

A degree in sports science alongside extensive knowledge of striking, grappling and fitness enrich his pedigree not just as a world champion fighter but also as a world class coach. Whilst busy with coaching world champions and running K.O, Bill was also one of the biggest promoters in the U.K for decades putting on major shows at locations like York Hall, Ilford Palais and The Hippodrome televised by Sky, Eurosport and Trans World Sport. 

Coaching Philosophy

With over 4 decades of coaching experience and having coached over 35 world champions his accolades require no explanation. 

The history, the influences, the journey all boils down to one simple philosophy. The philosophy of purpose: “Purpose is to make a difference, to overcome obstacles” he says. Overcoming obstacles to “Be the best you can be as martial artist and as a person” - no matter your age, background, external circumstance you should always strive to be “more”. 

For Bill true accomplishment comes from seeing someone enter K.O and grow into a well-balanced, rounded human being in all aspects, the physical and the spiritual. Clearly stating that yes, he was an excellent fighter but his real accomplishment came from “making my fighters better than me” – abandoning the “self” and giving everything to his athletes. 

Bill says that as a coach ‘I feel my job is to open the door and the student has to step through. I just guide the way’ referring to the teachings of Chee Soo he states that there are two paths in life. There is the path of the individual as a martial artist and the spiritual path and both these paths need to be walked hand in hand. His teachings have made K.O is the vessel for this; through creating the space he has touched generations of people’s lives in a way that is far greater than just martial arts through building confidence and creating better people. He reflects “the stone I have cast into the pond has caused many ripples”. 

He wants to remain “touchable” - someone who can still be easily approached. ‘Coach’ or ‘Kru’ as a chosen name of address. Because of his humility his role in the local community, as the founder of K.O, is far vaster than most realise, getting young people involved in martial arts irrespective off their prospect or background. Offering free lessons for youth in Tower Hamlets; being involved in many projects with the interest of societal wellbeing; earning huge respect from families and neighbours. 

As Bill says “You earn respect, it’s not given” and rightly his has been earned. 

Bill Judd

Kru Bill pictured with friend, Ajarn Tony Moore, whilst studying Krabi Krabong - the sword martial art of Thailand. Quote from Kru: “Tony Dedicated his life to Muay Thai and the Thai fighting arts. I am blessed to share my journey in Martial Arts with him.”

Willie Bassaga

Willie Bassaga, trained and fought out of KO back when it was located in Tottenham. Bill spoke of this guy highly and said he was an absolute beast. Willie is a world class Muay Thai fighter originally from France. He had a notable win over the very formidable and talented Winston Fraser.

Sak Nayagam

Sak Nayagam, one of KO’s most formidable World Champions, a true warrior with many attributes - mental toughness, discipline, high ring IQ, dedication, loyalty and the list could go in. Quote from Kru: “One of the nicest well balanced human beings I have ever trained. A humble, kind, family man who proved to me you can be a true Nak Muay warrior in the ring, courageous and ruthless, and a warm compassionate husband, father, son and friend outside the ring. He combined a highly successful career, brought up an amazing family, and became World Champion, a true Role model. I am proud to have had the privilege to help Sak on his journey in the ring, and call him a friend.”

Poster

A poster for KO in the 80s where Kru Bill taught out of the Lonsdale Boxing Gym in Carnaby Street. Many world famous boxers have trained and sparred there. Including Lloyd Honeygan, Tim Witherspoon, Kirkland Lang (‘The Gifted One’), Sot Chitalada (training to fight and then win the WBC title from UK’s Charlie Magri). Quote from Kru: “Sunday’s session would last many hours. I used to lock the door so they couldn’t escape lol”. Oh to be a fly on the wall in those days. KO has a rich history that we will share more of in the near future.

Book

The first ever Muay Thai book Kru Bill studied. Given to him by friend, pictured, and author Ajarn Panya Kraitus.

Kelly Berry

1980s, Kelly Berry, KO’s very first female champion - British Thaiboxing Champion (BMTA), British Kickboxing Champion, and also accomplished TKD practitioner (black belt national champion).

Lucia Rijker

Top female Dutch fighter Lucia Rijker holding pads for previously mentioned KO’s own Kelly Berry, at Vos Gym in Amsterdam. Bill said Lucia is to this day his favourite female fighter to exist, and that she was the first female to earn his respect as a fighter. Quote from Kru: “I was at Vos Gym watching Dutch Olympic boxers spar when I saw Lucia drop someone, it wasn’t until she took her headguard off that I realised she was a woman, the only female amongst males”.