So I happened to open up and read my DJ buddy,Keishi's blog the other day and I was thinking to myself..."Damn this guy has had one hell of a year!!!!!" You gotta read it!!
http://djkeishi.blogspot.com/2008/12/counting-my-blessings-for-2008.html
So I was wondering if my 2008 was anywhere close to being as good as his????? Here's a quick and fairly detailed recap of my 2008!!
Jan 16th - Press Conference,Party and Debut of The Contender Asia on AXN!! Met loads of press and media...did interviews and then had a quick preview of Episode 1 where I got to see me FALLING at the challenge...D'OH!!!!!! Disastrous start to my TV debut!!! But this night was still definitely gonna change my life!!!
The man behind so many hit Reality TV shows.....Mark Burnett
March 3rd - My first time in Rawai Muay Thai and training with my favourite and long time trainer Bangman!! My first comeback fight after having had surgery on both my shoulders in Oct & Nov 2007. Won with a first round Techincal Knockout. Was a weird fight....but happy that my shoulders felt alright as I knew I had a more important score to settle.April 12th- I had flown in my long time trainer from Thailand to live with me for 2 weeks and he trained me hard for my Rematch against Zidov at the Indoor Stadium. It worked a treat!! I fought one of my best fights and won with a 5th Round TKO. Was AWESOME to be fighting and winning the rematch infront of a home crowd of 6000 over people!!! Unbelieveable feeling when the crowd roared!! Will never forget that experience!!!
One of my favourite shot of the stadium that night and a picture of me Jabbing Zidov after I elbowed his nose!!!ooowwww!!
May - I was Mens Health Cover!! Cmon I gotta be proud of that!!!! Now just gotta get on the cover or Forbes 50 Richest People!!!
Gone are those abs....I know I shouldn't have had that last piece of Turkey!!!!
May 16th til June 10th - My trip back to London,Stockholm and Amsterdam!!!!! Seriously awesome times!! London for Becky's brothers wedding and also getting to see one of the guys who has taught me alot in life and made me who I am today,Darren Wardle. Sweden was a place I've always wanted to vist for some reason??? I really love Stockholm!! Was there for K-1 Scandinavia and met loads of famous fighters,Ray Sefo,Jurgen Kruts,Jordan Tai,Marco Pique, but most importantly I was there to help corner for Jabba. Most of the time was spent hanging out with Yukay and his family,I really hope to make it soon!! Then it was off to Holland to see my family....it's was 7 years ago that I was last in Europe...hopefully wont take me another 7 years to get there again!!! Got to hang out with my buddy and K-1 European Champ 2007 Paul Slowinski!
London,Stockholm and Amsterdam!!!
July 5th - International Super Fights K.L....What a nightmareeeeeeeeee this proved to be!!!! Had slighlty more than 3 weeks to prepare for my fight after a long break in Europe. 1st week I was still abit jetlagged....2nd week I was really ill....3rd week I got a decent week of training....and off it was to the fights. I got cut in the 1st Round with an Elbow....!!! Then in Round 2,decided to throw a hook (stupidest idea ever!!!) and my shoulder popped out.......Was in shock as I stood in the ring....I tried to shrug it off....and I take a punch on the inside of my arm and it throws my shoulder out again...!!! Freak accident!! The fight was called off. I was reaaaaaaaaaaally upset......and I remember sitting at the hospital in tears and not knowing what to do,and thinking why the injury reoccured......I guess it was coz I was so busy working on my stamina and also busy trying to get in as many personal trainings and get as much padwork/bagwork in as often as I could that I neglected my shoulder conditining excersices? All I know was that I felt rubbish as I sat in that hospital waiting to get stitched up. To make things worse,I had to get 14 fucking stitches for the cut!!! PAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Learnt a VALUBLE lesson that night....Never forget/neglect to do my shoulder conditioning excersices before a fight!!! Surgery doesn't mean Im 100% safe!!
A constant reminder that I shouldn't take my shoulder surgery and injury for granted.
Aug 28th til Sept 2nd - Holiday in Bali!!! For Becky's birthday and also just coz everyone was bored of Singapore.....We all chipped in to rent out the amazing Villa Raja in Bali!! I have to say that this trip to Bali was probably THE MOST relaxing holiday I've ever had!!...Although I had to still do big runs everyday....as I had a fight coming up. Just lazing around the villa and going down the water slide!! The helpers were soooooo nice too and they cooked up a feast on Becky's birthday!! Took us 3 days to finish it!!! Can't wait to get back there again!!! Also thanks to Jaymee Ong, I discovered "DIGESTIVE ENZYMES" For when you're feeling ridiculously full and bloated!!! hahaha
Villa Raja. The name says it all Villa for a King!!
Sept 15th - I found out that I was in the running for WMC Asian Title and had to win this fight to get a shot at the belt. I spent two weeks at with my trainer Bangman at Rawai Muay Thai trainng hard for my fight against Takeshi an old friend and a Japanese champ. It was an important fight for me,but unfortunately...I only managed a DRAW....and in all honesty I thought I lost that fight. I remember being in the room before my fight telling my trainer to massage my legs harder and stretch them more as they just felt sooo heavy and sooo tired....on top of that the constant fear about dislocating my shoulder was lingering and it affected my fight................definetly wasn't how I wanted it to go......I was fed up and felt so demoralized....one loss in KL and one draw in Singapore.......I was not happy with my performance and myself!!
Sept 25th,26th & 27th - Singapore made history by holding the 1st ever night race. It was a really fun weekend as I got to train F-1 driver Mark Webber and I also got to actually go into the Pit area where they prepare for the race. I met the legendary Maxi Preist from the dance group Faithless. I also got to meet and party backstage with the band that pretty much got me hooked on dance music,Chicane!!! It was one hell of a weekend!!
After training Mark Webber,Meeting Maxi from Faithless,In the Pit area of the Redbull Racing Team and later backstage with Chicane!!!!
November 6th - Trained hard at the new Baan Nak Muay Gym at Havelock Road with Thai trainer Ton, who is Matsuer's brother. Matsuer is the S-1 Champion for 2007. I fought Dutch Champion,Roel Rink in HongKong on the "Hong Kong Contender" Event. It was almost 10 years ago that I was last in HongKong....barely remembered anything about the place!! Having Lost in July and only managing a Draw in Sept...I was really annoyed with myself and trained hard for this fight. I listened to some good advice from close friends,fighters and trainers. I reminded myself in the ring what they had said to me and in between rounds Petch who was in my corner did a great job keeping my spirits up. I won the fight on points and I was happy to be back in the winners circle!! While I was there I also managed to squeeze in abit of DJing at the famous club Volar!!!
Kicking it with Roel Rink. Then some good old DJing at Volar!!!!
My last look out Derrick and Sarah's apartment before I rushed out the door after my DJ set to catch my flight!!!
Dec 6th - It has always been my dream to fight in Australia...I think that Australia is probably the 2nd best country in Muay Thai around the world. I remember always reading up on fights from the Evolution series as they probably have the best line up and usually one of the best event worldwide!! So it was a real honour to have been invited to fight there.....However,my fight on Evolution 15 with Soren was probably the most awkward fight I've ever had to take. As much as we say "Business Is Business".....when you and your best friend go in the ring it's just awkward!!! As I mentioned if anyone who saw the fight and think that is how I normally fight....you are gonna be in for a treat!!! Hopefully I'll get another chance to fight out there. So after the fight it was Rest & Relax!! Spent the rest of my time in Brisbane hanging out with Soren meeting some of his cool friends and his lovely mom and sis. Then it was off to the very beautiful Goldcoast to hangout with JWP and family!!
The beautiful Surfers Paradise in Goldcoast!!
After being back from Australia...the days have just sped past me...the very fun night with friends at ZoukOut on the 13th,then Xmas day with Becky,Jaymee Ong and family eating a giant 11kg Turkey then playing board games and later getting on the Wii and realizing that I am a NATURAL at Guitar Hero!!
2008 is coming to an end and I can say that I've definetly done alot of cool things this year!!
Im really looking forward to 2009 and hopefully it'll be alot more interesting!!!!
Wanna say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has made 2008 so special for me. And also to all my awesome sponsors Tuffboxing,BXGFitness,Baan Nak Muay (BNM),Skyfitness,VandaBoxing,O.P.R.C,Toni & Guy and the lovely people at Nikon!!! You guys have really helped me out alot. THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH!!
So to all my readers have an amazing New Years Eve party and I'll see you in 2009!!!!
LaterZ
Me and my brother from another mother,Soren Eminent Air NTG!
The beautiful Surfers Paradise in Goldcoast!!
2008 is coming to an end and I can say that I've definetly done alot of cool things this year!!
Im really looking forward to 2009 and hopefully it'll be alot more interesting!!!!
Wanna say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has made 2008 so special for me. And also to all my awesome sponsors Tuffboxing,BXGFitness,Baan Nak Muay (BNM),Skyfitness,VandaBoxing,O.P.R.C,Toni & Guy and the lovely people at Nikon!!! You guys have really helped me out alot. THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH!!
So to all my readers have an amazing New Years Eve party and I'll see you in 2009!!!!
LaterZ
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