YARRA Valley fighters took their skills to Thailand with Yarra Junction fighter Bentley Shefford and head trainer Nick Lundh stepping back in the ring.
They were fighting Muay Thai bouts at Bangla Stadium in Phuket.
Bentley Shefford fought a two times world champion from America, Malik Watson.
Lundh said Malik had knocked his last seven opponents out so it was quite daunting for Bentley who had only ever fought in mixed martial arts.
“His fight was very even and it was looking as though Bentley was getting on top and could have won in the later rounds but was knocked out from a head kick,” he said.
Jake Gathercole was the other fighter from the Lilydale gym who had got to Thailand two weeks earlier to prepare for the bout but Lundh said he was struck down with a severe illness in the week of his fight.
He said they only replaced his spot on the day of the fight.
“This meant that I myself, unprepared and hadn’t fought since 2007 had to step in and replace him,” Lundh said.
“Also a daunting task as I had put on 15kg from my fight weight and pushing 43 years and only fought in pro boxing and kickboxing.
Lundh said although he was fighting a Thai who had more than 100 fights in Muay Thai, he produced a spinning elbow to the head in the second round, knocking his opponent out with punches to win.
A large contingent of the Lilydale club had spent up to three weeks training at the Kiat Thanachot gym, a traditional Thai gym that usually only trains Thais, in Thailand.
The next fight night featuring Yarra Valley boxers will be held on Saturday 10 November at the Lilydale Community Youth Club on Market Street.
It will feature Bentley Shefford and Jake Gathercole amoung other great local fighters.
General admission tickets are $40. Doors open 6.30pm and fights start 7.30pm.
For tickets and further information contact Nick Lundh on 0417 516 045.
