Two cage fighters say they have been "stunned" at winning worldwide
acclaim after being caught on camera fighting back at a pair of thugs
while wearing dresses.
The exploits of Daniel "Lion Heart" Lerwell, 22, and James "Lights
Out" Lilley, 23, have become an internet sensation after the encounter
on a night out in Swansea, South Wales.
Dean Gardener, 19, and Jason Fender, 22, who had been drinking
heavily, started to abuse the pair because they were wearing dresses,
high heels and makeup.
As a finishing touch, Mr Lilley then leans over the pair to retrieve his handbag before walking off down the street.
They were heading off to a night out with other cage fighters who were also dressed in drag.
Mr Lerwell, who works as a plumber in his day job, said the reaction
from around the world had been "bonkers" with requests for interviews
and appearances flooding in.
"Transsexuals around the world have found my Facebook page and want to be my friend. I've never seen anything like it," he said.
"I am told that NBC, the American TV channel, are looking to interview us."
Mr Lilley, who works in a bank and who wore a pink wig on the night out, added that he was stunned by the publicity.
"All we wanted was a nice drink with friends, there were about 10 of us in total," he said.
"The punch itself didn't really have much impact. I get punched all the time in the ring and I didn't see this one coming."
"Lion Heart" and "Lights Out" pledged to enter the ring in their high heels and hot pants when they return to cage fighting.
But their new army of followers will have to wait until February next year to see them in action.
Mr Lerwell broke his wrist in the ring when he fought in Swansea last month, and his friend suffered tendon damage to an arm.
Gardener and Fender admitted using threatening words and behaviour
and were tagged and are under a night house curfew for the next four
months.
Subject: 'Drag queen' floors thugs in Swansea street fight 
Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:33 am
