MUAY THAI: FOUR local Muay Thai warriors will step into the ring for the first time this weekend when the Novice Bouts Fight Night in boxing and mixed martial arts is brought to the Highway Hotel.
OMAC Fight Promotions trainer and promoter Gary O’Dine said the night would be the first of two this year as he begins to take the sport to the next level in the South West.
O’Dine said first timers Vinnie Harley, Denton Bishop, Aido Wilkins and Scott Bowie would join Scott Mapley and Jason Healy, who was nominated for South West Sports Star of the year, in battle against Perth opponents on the 11 fight card.
“We expect them just to go in and do their best, it’s easy for us to say how to fight and train but once they get in there it’s a different story,” O’Dine said.
The main card will be between Kane Henderson and Kris Krainwight, both from Perth.
Muay Thai is Thailand’s ancient art of self defence that uses knees and elbows, as well as hands and feet, and has grown into a popular sport around the world in recent years.
Aido Wilkins has been training at least five days a week since taking up the sport overnight three months ago and said he can’t wait for his first three round bout.
“I’m a little bit nervous – I’ve thought about it every day but looking forward to it,” Wilkins said.
“I think I’ve just got to be calm about the whole situation, not rush it and outsmart my opponent.”
Wilkins said just getting in the ring was a goal achieved in itself after the demanding hours in the gym.
Scott Mapley is entering the ring for the third time, his first in front of a home crowd, for his mixed martial arts bout with Aaron Spurge from Perth.
The 42-year-old has dropped down a weight division and said he is looking to redeem his last effort in the ring and take his record to two wins and one loss.
“I’m looking forward to it, I’m fit, dropped a lot of weight and been training hard and I’ve got a good coach in Jason Carton,” Mapley said.
Mapley has been the current State middleweight veterans boxing champion since he won it in 2005 and is yet to be challenged for the title.
O’Dine, who has been involved in martial arts for the past 28 years, said bringing at least two fights nights to Bunbury was just the beginning to his plans to increase the sport’s profile and fan base. He also hopes to improve local resources, including buying his own boxing ring, and build upon the current Thailand training camps.