KIDDERMINSTER'S John Wyatt has been made captain for Sunday's K-1 heavyweight kickboxing battle against the formidable Japanese at Aston Villa Leisure Centre, Birmingham.

Wyatt's cool head and experience will lead team-mates Mark Russell and Chester's Ricky Nicholson, while he takes on Nobu Hayashi in his own clash.

He said: "Being captain has given me an extra edge for the night. I'm banking on the crowd getting behind us to give us a great advantage."