Beckham At Fairtex
There’s a new Beckham at the gym. It’s not the famous footballer. This athlete is famed though. It’s Beckham Champion Gym. The fighter is on the international circuit. He’s fought on RWS and ONE Championship. He’s moved around gyms but found Fairtex.
Usually, new fighters try the gym out for a fight or two. If things go well, Mr. Wong makes an offer to buy the contract.
But they must adhere to the strict training program. That means running, padwork, sparring, clinching and power, power power.
Not everyone can make the grind. We’ll see if Beckham is able to kick it through the goalposts.
More Wins For BJJ Team
The Fairtex MMA and BJJ team is developing. It’s growing stronger and stronger with each week.
“We competed at Rangsit University,” head instructor Vova said. “I won 3 matches. Liisi Vaht won 1 match. Our students both won one match and lost the second.”
The team is planning on competing again. Rangsit University in Northern Bangkok holds competitions regularly. The BJJ team goes there to test their skills.
Kongsuek Cut
Lamnamoonlek sliced him on the eyelid.
“It was eight stitches,” the former Lumpinee champion said.
Kongsuek battled Lamnamoonlek at ONE Lumpinee. It was the main event. Lamnamoonlek was a feared opponent. Known for his technical skills, Konsuek was an underdog.
“He walked forward a lot,” Kongsuek said.
But it was the southpaw fighter from Fairtex who won. And in exchange, he got a scar.
Learning After The Fight
(In this Photo: BS1923 Racer White Shorts, AS1 Red/Black Ankle Guard, Fairtex HB10 Bowling Bag, HW2 Pink Handwraps)
When the boxer steps out of the ring they get another lesson. In the old days, it was the sixth round. The trainer would hit them if they didn’t do well.
Nowadays there is less corporal punishment but the lessons are hard and heavy anyway.
Maria from Las Vegas lost at Fairtex Fight. She was in the Thaiwasadu Tournament. Her opponent used her long teeps and body kicks to outpoint the American.
After the fight, Nongamm helped Maria. The fighter from Chiangmai is very skilled. She’s boxed and fought Muay Thai for years. Nongamm is also a personal trainer in her free time. Before she came to Fairtex she worked as a fitness coach at a gym in Hua Hin.
So Nongamm tries to beat some sense into Maria. She teaches her the simple things of distance management.
Because there is always something to learn after the fight.
Otopp at Omnoi
(In this Photo: HW2 Olive Green Handwraps)
Otopp Sor Sommai is making his second fight out of Fairtex. His last bout was a win at Lumpinee. This time he goes to Omnoi.
The stadium is notorious for its difficult weigh in process. The fighters weigh in at 7 am. The bouts start at 12 pm. Boxers can’t cut that much and recover. The fights are also 5 rounds long. The scoring is geared towards gambling. It is a cerebral game of scoring. It requires more of the fighter than the usual brawling three round fights.
Otopp spent the last three weeks at Fairtex in preparation for this fight. We’ll see how he does.
Work On Technique
(In this photo: BGV1 Nation Blue Gloves, BS1926 Magma Slimcut Shorts, BGV11 F-Day Gloves, SP9 Red Shin Guards)
After the fight is the time to work on technique. It’s the time between fights that athletes can slow down and perfect their form. When the fight date comes closer they must sharpen their weapons.
Celest Hansen is looking to improve her technique. In her last fight she bulldozed her way forward but lost on points.
She wants to change her form. So she’s slowing down and restarting. Learning again. Working on her technique.
Kongsuek The Monk
After his fight, Kongsuek went to the temple. In Thai culture, men have a duty to their family and their country.
To their family, they must honor them. One of the ways of doing that is by becoming a monk.
“My grandad died,” Kongsuek said. So he ordained. He shaved his eyebrows and his head.
“There’s a lot of rules,” the fighter said. He stayed at the temple for several days. Then he left. He’d made his merit.
The other duty of Thai men is to their country. There is an obligatory draft. When men reach 21 they become eligible for conscription. If they don’t volunteer they must participate in a lottery. It takes place in April. The men draw balls. They are red or black. Red is mandatory duty in the army.
“I’m up for the army this year,” Kongsuek said.
He’s done his duty to his family. Time will tell if he must do his duty for his country.
Petchwarin 90%
(In This Photo: VS3 Vinyl Sweat Suit, FMV15 Red Focus Mitts, BGV14R Minimalist Art)
It was just days before her fight. Petchwarin was ready… well almost.
“I’m 90%,” she said.
The Thais will talk in percentages. They are 50% ready. They are 80% ready. Similarly they will give a percentage for how likely they are to win.
“I think I will win 100%,” they will say. “Win sure.”
Because fighting is always about probabilities. Nothing is certain in the fight game.
For Petchwarin she tried to up her chances.
“I lifted more weights this time,” she said.
The homegrown athlete is coming off a points win and is looking to take another win home. She fights at Fairtex Fight at Lumpinee.
Author: Matt Lucas
Let us know What you think!
