07.12.05 – By Tony Nobbs: Australia’s leading Muay Thai world champion ‘John’ Wayne Parr faces the fight of his life on Saturday night December 10 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre at Broadbeach in Queensland. Parr battles in the semi main event for the first ever Muay Thai championship sanctioned by the World Boxing Council in any weight division when he clashes with Thai sensation Yodsaenklai Fairtex for the 70 kg title. There will be two other WBC Muay Thai bouts on the massive card promoted by Ray Matsamura’s Rising Promotions.
JWP spoke to Eastside on Monday. He has won 58 (30 by knockout) from 78 Muay Thai/kickboxing contests and is a four time world title holder. He also compiled a 10-3, 10 KO’s boxing record, winning the Australian middleweight title in 2001. Here is what the 29 year old ‘Gunslinger’ had to say:
TN: Firstly Wayne, in your own words, how important is this fight?
JWP: It is a golden opportunity. Like with Sharon Anyos who became the first WBC world women’s champion it is a chance to create history. The whole world will be watching and everyone will remember the fight.
TN: Tell us about your opponent.
JWP: He is nineteen years old and he has already had over 200 fights. He is the current Lumpinee champion and the Thai number one. He trains out of the Fairtex Gym who brought his contract for an incredible amount of money. He intends to go to the K1 if he beats me…He is a ridgey didge opponent.
TN: Tell us about your fight with Bruce ‘The Preacher’ Mc Phee in Brisbane on Nov 19?
JWP: I won on points (Parr scored 2 knockdowns in round 3). We really went at each other in the fifth and it was an exciting fight. He came through the ranks in the last couple of years beating everyone around. He is a good fighter on the Australian level, but not on the world stage yet.
TN: How has your preparation been for this fight?
JWP: Awesome. I had three days off after my fight with The Preacher then got back into the gym. I came out of that fight injury free so I’ve been able to train hard. In the last fight I wasn’t happy with my fitness level. I really pushed it in the last round trying to finish him. I looked at the tape and was pretty disgusted so I have knuckled down for this one. That last fight really helped me with my preparation.
TN: Who have you been sparring?
JWP: Les Sherrington and Nathan Corbett (The impressive Corbett contests the WBC cruiserweight title on Saturday night).
TN: Who will be in your corner?
JWP: Sake, another guy from Thailand by the name of It, and Paul Briggs will be flying up from Sydney.
TN: What gym have you been training at?
JWP: Boonchu at Miami (on the Gold Coast).
TN: When did you start kickboxing?
JWP: I began Tae Kwon Do at 11, kickboxing at 13 and had my first fight at 14. I turned pro at 17.
TN: What have been the highlights?
JWP: Fighting on the Kings Birthday in front of 100, 000 people. I beat a legend by the name of Orono (in 2000). He’d beat me prior to that, giving me 21 stitches. So beating him to win the world title on such a big occasion was awesome. Also fighting in the K1 in front of 30, 000 – fighting in the K1 gives you worldwide recognition.
TN: Who has been your toughest Muay Thai opponent?
JWP: A Thai guy by the name of Toyota, like the car. It was my first fight in Thailand in a small stadium out the back of nowhere (in ’96). He was very hard, I thought he had broken my arm but it was only badly bruised. It was a great experience and really toughened me up.
TN: How would you describe the difference between boxing and Muay Thai?
JWP: With boxing there is a lot more head punishment while Muay Thai is more all over the body. Even though Muay Thai is only over five rounds it is more physically demanding and of course in boxing you only have to concentrate on two weapons.
TN: What was your toughest boxing contest?
JWP: Me and Nader (Hamden) had a good war.
TN: Thanks Wayne and all the best.
JWP: Thanks mate. I hope to see everyone there.
For more information on Saturday’s event checkout: www.rising.net.au