By James Bovington
Thai boxer Isaac Hussain is delighted that teenage fighter Fergus Smith has qualified to fight on a prestigious event later this month in Bangkok – and has made it his ambition to emulate his fellow Horsfordian.
“I’m delighted for Fergus, obviously,” said year 11 Horsforth School pupil Isaac.
“Just getting selected is a tremendous achievement and it encourages everyone else to keep working to achieve our goals. I’m also motivated and encouraged by Ubaid ‘Bad’ Hussain at our gym who’s also a ONE championship fighter and a strong role model for younger people progressing in the sport.”
At 16, Isaac is already an experienced Muay Thai fighter having taken up the sport aged eight.
He said: “For the last four years I’ve been training with Jompop Kiatphontip at his gym in Sheepscar.
“I’ve won nine of my 12 bouts these last two years including one on a recent show in Bolton where I defeated Emil Majstrak. All of us young fighters want to get on the ONE championship to compete in Thailand.
“I spent two weeks there last Christmas. The training was intense as we were constantly pushed both mentally and physically. I enjoyed meeting other boys from western countries and making friends with Thai children our age who are already experienced fighters. I’m keen to go again.”
“We’re proud of our son, how committed he is to the demanding training required to make a success of the sport,” stated Isaac’s dad Mabs.
“Jompop and the other coaches offer high quality training both in terms of knowledge and experience and their ability to get the best out of their pupils as these develop skills. Most of all Isaac fits in well at a gym where there’s a lovely, nurturing family atmosphere.”
Anyone prepared to back Isaac as Horsforth’s next Thai boxing champion can contact Mabs Hussain by e-mail at mabs@empowernextgen.co.uk or Instagram @Mabs1935. Kiatphontip Leeds is on the top floor of Stamford House on Cross Stamford Street LS7 1BA. (E-mail info@muaythai-kiatphontip.co.uk or call 07547 000 091).
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