MOUNT Isa fighter Michael New has been declared the next world champion in the making by one of the sport’s most successful trainers and competitors.
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New only has one more bout to conquer before being crowned state champion when he took about 40 seconds to knockout Tiaki Temiha.
It was New’s second straight knockout victory, but this time there was barely time for his opponent to get a touch on New.
A spinning back kick was followed by a right cross punch to seal a dominant victory on Saturday night.
The win prompted three-time world champion Ian Jacobs, who hosted the fight night at the Powerhouse Prodigy Gym in Brisbane, to label New as one of the sport’s most exciting fighters.
“[Ian] came out and said that I am one of the fighters to keep an eye on in the sport of muay thai,” New said.
“It’s a great honour for him to say that, as he is an absolute legend of the sport.”
New’s bout lasted only 40 seconds into the first round with his fight plan panning out perfectly.
“I had planned to attack him from the outset and he couldn’t handle it, with my strength proving too overwhelming for him,” new said.
“All the training had perfectly prepared me for the fight, which fell into place like clockwork.”
New’s next assignment will be fighting for the Queensland muay thai championship in November.
“The Queensland title has been my goal all year long and for it to be with my grasp is really exciting,” New said.
“If I can successfully win that belt, who knows what my next step might be.
“But I’m not getting ahead of myself, with this fight shaping up as the toughest of my career.”
When New isn’t working in Mount Isa, he trains tirelessly in Brisbane with Bruce “The Preacher’’ Macfie and and Aaron ‘‘Azzatron’’ Smith at the Corporate Box gym, working on game plans like the successful one he used on Saturday night.
His training includes two sessions a day, emphasising strength and technique – facets of his repertoire that have improved dramatically.
New also travels to Thailand for high-intensity training in camps where he prepares for his next fight.
“But none of this would be possible if it wasn’t for the excellent support of my family, and especially my wife Candice New,’’ he said.
“Candice puts up with my crazy lifestyle and training regimes, but in the back of my mind, I know she always has my back.”
