Cain Brunton
International Kickboxer Magazine, Nov/Dec 2014
Victoria doesn’t have a reputation as a hot-bed of Thai Boxing culture; rather, it is traditionally held as the stomping-ground of kickboxing. Cain ‘Insane’ Brunton is working to change that, one fight at a time. He tells JARROD BOYLE about his recent WMC State Title win and the possibilities it has opened up for him, including a spot on JWP’s Caged Muay Thai, a promotion as Queensland-crazy as anyone could hope to get.
How old are you, Cain?
Twenty.
What do you weigh in at?
Fifty-seven kilograms.
What’s your fight record?
Sixteen fights for ten wins, four losses and two draws.
How did you get started in kickboxing?
My brother, A.J. Brunton, he was always into fighting. He was into boxing, but then found a passion for Thai boxing. We would train in his little shed on our nights off (when we weren’t training with Chris Bradford,) back 5 years ago. I would often finish school or sometimes skip school just so I could go hit the bag.
When I was about 10 years old, A.J. would get his mates around and they would watch him beat me up and knock me down. They thought it was funny ‘cause I would always get up and go harder.
Have you fought under kickboxing rules, in addition to fighting under Thai? How do you find the comparison?
No, I’ve always fought full Thai rules.
Have you been cut before?
Yes, I’ve had two stitches in my right cheek and also four stitches in my head from [being cut with] elbows.
Who are the fighters you most admire?
Dane “Daddy Cool” and Soren [Mongkontong]. I’ve met them a few times; great people and awesome fighters. Very technical – on another level.
Have you fought in Queensland? How was that?
I haven’t fought in Queensland yet but in December, if all goes to plan, I’ll be fighting on JWP’s show, CMT.
CMT sounds hardcore. How do you intend on preparing for that?
I love a good challenge and I’ll be training hard as always. I’ll have to adjust my guard a little bit with the small gloves. I can already tell the adrenaline will be pumping!
What’s Chris Bradford like as a trainer?
Me and Chris have been together before he even thought about starting his own gym. He’s like a father figure to me; he’s a great trainer and knows a lot about Thai boxing and fighting in general.
Who do you do your sparring with?
I’ve been doing a lot of sparring with Steve Moxon of late, who hits very hard. Also Pat Richards, Chris Bradford, my brother A.J. and also Max Thomason. Max is one to watch out for in the future.
Tell us about Steve Moxon. What’s he like? How have you found training with him?
Steve Moxon is a very down to earth person; he’s become a good mate. He knows his stuff about fighting. I often work with him doing boxing, working on angles. He’s a very good asset [to have] down at Top Tier.
Had you played any sports beforehand?
I’ve always played sport, ranging from cricket, footy, basketball, soccer, to karate. I’d always been a pretty active kid, but once I found Thai boxing, that’s all I did.
What do your parents think about fighting?
My parents are extremely supportive of my fighting – they are always at my fights.
Who is your trainer?
Michael Archer is my pad holder and good friend. “Always behind the Insanity,” he says. Chris Bradford is also my pad holder and supportive of my training.
Have you trained or fought in Thailand? If not, what are your plans where it’s concerned?
I recently just got back from Thailand, training twice a day at Sinbi Muay Thai in Rawai, Phuket. I had one fight, winning by TKO via Leg kicks in the second round. I plan to go back the start of next year and stay for around three to six months, just for training and fighting.
Where do you want your kickboxing career to take you?
I wanna be the best I can be. The plan is to travel the world and fight the best.
What are your memories of you first fight?
I’d just turned eighteen; I was fighting on Joe Demicoli’s show at the West-End Market Hotel in 2011. The adrenaline was pumping, everyone was watching, all I wanted to do was go out there and win. I wore my brother’s shorts from Thailand for good luck. I fought Phivo Costodoulou for three rounds. The fight was awarded a draw. My shins got a bit of a shock, actually. Then I found he was probably even worse!
Toughest opponent to date?
Michael Gelsi. We fought twice and both times agreed that when we fight, it hurts!
Do you have a ‘day job’ to supplement your income?
I’m a plumber. As my trainer Archie likes to say, ‘on the tools,’ which I think makes a difference, having [to do] a hard labouring job all day.
Sixteen fights is a lot of fights in two years. How do you manage to fight so often? How is your body holding up?
I like to think about it as more a lifestyle and enjoying being fit. Having such a good crew at Top Tier Muay Thai in Geelong makes it easy to keep walking in that door with a smile. I love the sport and the culture. My body is fine; I like to swim down at the beach early the morning after training for recovery. I’m trying to stay as active as I can, fighting at a young age.
How was the experience of fighting for a WMC state title? Who was your opponent? How did it all go?
I fought Tom Murray. He’d been the top 55-57 kg fighter for a long time in Victoria. I remember seeing him fight before I even started fighting. When I got the call to fight such a good fighter, I was more then honoured to fight him.
He wanted to take my head off in the first couple of rounds! With the experience of my last few fights, I held my composure and kept kicking high. I got the win after five hard rounds. It was a very exhausting fight.
Theme Park at its Darkest 
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