Six months of cancelled events and a COVID-19 nightmare, but on Sunday Kyabram Muay Thai fighter Jack Matthews will get the chance to finally participate in the first professional fight of his career — and he can’t wait.
“I am excited more than nervous and I just can’t wait to get in the ring,” the Echuca-trained fighter said.
Jack turned professional at the start of the year after turning 18.
His first fight will be held at the Melbourne Pavilion under a COVID-safe plan, in a closed venue with no spectators. However, the event will be livestreamed.
He will be fighting in the 63-64kg category.
Jack said it was watching his current coach Kiw Eikkasit fight about four years ago that ignited his passion for Muay Thai.
“I watched Kiw fight Rebellion and I loved everything about it including the intense energy you get from being in the ring,” Jack said.
From that moment Jack discarded his boxing training and moved into Muay Thai.
“If I didn’t see Kiw fight I wouldn’t be doing what I am today, I would probably be at uni instead of focusing on a fighting career,” he said.
Jack has firm goals to one day be good enough to fight some championship fights, including the ‘One Championship’ in Singapore.
Muay Thai or Thai boxing is a martial art and combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with clinching techniques characterised by the use of fists, elbows, knees and shins.
Jack trains alongside his brother Daniel, who will turn professional next year.
They have both pushed each other along to get where they are today.
“We do spar each other but we never fight,” Daniel said with a laugh.
The brothers’ training changes in intensity depending on what is happening in their schedule and when their next fight is, but a typical day is one to two hours of training starting with a 4-5km run followed by pad and clinching work. Training can ramp up to three to four hours a day.
“Keeping up with training is taxing and we have to rest and fuel our bodies well, but it is part of our life and it’s like a habit now,” Jack said.
The brothers paid tribute to their mum Helen and sister Chrissy who have supported them along the way, driving them to Echuca for training, sometimes twice a day.
“I am very grateful to them both for helping me out," Jack said.
"Mum is a bit all over the shop with my first professional fight. She is nervous about the next step but she is always supportive."
Jack said it had been great to have Daniel to help with his training, especially with a fight looming and lockdown laws preventing them from travelling to Echuca to train with Kiw.
Daniel has held a lot of pads so Jack can focus on his technique, but thankfully a change in rules for professional athletes has allowed them both to start training back with Kiw.
They are currently staying with Kiw’s family until after the fight.
Kiw’s wife Tracey said the boys had shown dedication and commitment and had made a real name for themselves in the Muay Thai ring.
“There are not too many young people around who have the dedication of Jack and Daniel," Tracey said.
"We are very proud of their commitment and attitude, and they have been perfect students developing their skills and their attitude.”
The fight will be livestreamed on Sunday and tickets can be purchased from rebellionmuaythai.com.au/tickets
“If there is anyone out there wanting to watch the fight, if they download a ticket and chose Jack as the fighter they want to support, he will also get paid a small commission,” Tracey said.
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