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. Continue reading
International Kickboxer Magazine, Jan/Feb 2013
Kickboxing, as a sport, as been evolving since the early eighties. Its roots in Muay Thai have remained constant, however; Muay Thai continues to exist despite fashion and rule changes and springs up like a hardy flower in the most unlikely of places, taking root amongst passionate practitioners and audiences alike. JARROD BOYLE takes you on a whirlwind tour of the best fighters defining and promoting the art worldwide. Continue reading
Mark Castagnini is one of the key players in Australian Thai boxing. Beginning his career as a fighter, he went through traditional martial arts before taking up Thai boxing almost by accident and discovering that it bought him to the ultimate test of his training. From there, he has been involved with developing and disseminating the sport at every level, editing International Kickboxer Magazine, working as a commentator alongside Michael Schiavello on Foxsports, promoting events and running his own martial arts academy, Hammer’s Gym. Mark spends a little time telling us about his passion for the sport, what its Australian roots are and the directions the branches are moving in. Continue reading
Mel at work – doing what she does
Mel Walsh recently competed at the IFMA (International Federation of Muay Thai) games in Russia, bringing home a silver medal. She talks about family and fitness as the ‘headmistress’ of one of Australia’s premier Muay Thai gyms, Urban Fight Gym. Continue reading
International Kickboxer Magazine, Nov/Dec 2012
Buakaw, known to his parents as Sombat Banchamek, is arguably one of the greatest fighters of the modern era. Over a career which spans a staggering 238 fights, he has established his career with a style and a slew of performances which have thrilled millions. Now, in the ultimate triumph of business over sport, it appears his career has been stolen from him – and us – in a legal quagmire. On the back of sixteen straight wins, he has been forced into retirement. JARROD BOYLE looks back over the reign of a great champion and wonders where to from here. Continue reading
International Kickboxer Magazine, Nov/Dec 2012
Michael ‘Tomahawk Thompson has had 41 fights in the brief period he has been Thai boxing. This is all the more remarkable when you take in to account he is only 22 years old. He tells the story of a remarkable career-in-the-making to JARROD BOYLE. Continue reading
International Kickboxer Magazine, July/August 2012
‘John’ Wayne Parr has supplied international Muay Thai with some of its greatest moments over the course of his twenty-one year career. His skills as a promoter have allowed him to hatch a novel idea – Muay Thai in the cage – for his last fight. He talks to JARROD BOYLE about events in the lead-up to one of the most significant dates in this country’s history of the sport. Continue reading
Steve Vick was one of the true pioneers of Australian kickboxing. He is best remembered for a fight that took place on the undercard of the infamous Dennis Alexio / Stan ‘The Man’ Longinidis undercard at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Center in 1992. Vick fought Hector Pena for a world title over twelve rounds. Many believe it to have been the best kickboxing fight this country has ever seen. Continue reading
International Kickboxer Magazine, Vol. 19, no.3
“When I fight, I don’t look at it as a sport – I fight with intent and anger. Like a streetfight.” Watching footage of Giorgi on the internet is about as much convincing as any Australian fight fan needs. Continue reading
International Kickboxer Magazine, Vol. 19, No.2
Everyone that does something exceptional does it their own way. This series of ‘Training with…’ articles seeks to find out the individual details that make Australia’s best fighters tick. Wayne Parr lets JARROD BOYLE in on a few of his secrets. Continue reading
Theme Park at its Darkest 