I agree with the people saying he should stay retired...we all know what can happen (what WILL happen)...
Why? :huh In MT if you've been trained correctly in an authentic manner for much of your career you have much more longevity than many other combat sports. JWP is only 37 and as far as non Thais go is right up their technically, he has way more in the arsenal offensively as well as defensively than most of the younger non Thai bucks in the game. He could probably go on for quite some time and not get hurt dishing out harsh realities to the next generation. Contrary to popular western belief MT is a very technical form of fighting with more than enough spoiling & survival techniques to keep even the most ardent coffin dodger safe for decades to come. Just look at last weeks MT ATG rematch of Somluck Kamsing vs Jomhod Kiatadisak in Rajadamnern Stadium BKK. Jomhod in his mid 40s and Somluck at I think 39 still technically right up there filling the stadium like I haven't seen it for over a decade as a co main event. Infact it's proved so popular here a whole slew of ATGs are gonna come out of the wood work to do battle again. The only slight downer on the fight was their cardio petered out a bit in the 4th and 5th, (but remember Thai Muay Thai builds in intensity into the 4th and 5th being the most active and contested rounds). JWPs cardio is spot on as he's never really taken much of a break except for the few months since his retirement, so he'll be ready to go unlike Somluck who has a rep for partying and not training going back to the 90s! As I've said before JWP knows where he's at, he learnt his MT the right way, the Thai way so who's in a better position to assess his capabilities than the veteran himself who knows the game inside out!
That fight was never going to happen. JCVD talking to much crap, talking himself into a beating. Nothing more than a midlife crisis where he regretted being a movie star and not a fighter, he fantasised for something deeper,but then lucky for him he woke up. Somrak is now signed up to a 5 fight deal with the Petchyindee Petch Viset promotions in BKK as well as an appearance in the States in April. Lucky for JCVD really, I guess when he was in Somrak's corner last December for the first Jomhod fight hre realised he'd bitten off way more than he can chew, he realised wouldn't have made it out the first round. :deal Interms of old guys fighting GOAT Deiselnoi and ATG Putpatnoi had a tourist show bout 3 weeks ago in thier 60s!!!!! :admin [yt]f1anYARYasA[/yt]
GSP is more in the foreground of the picture, but he does look huge. Great pic. Have already stolen a copy :good
Great posts Boran. Those blokes were ancient, gave it a good go (it was as good as it gets for blokes that battle-worn and old) and the atmosphere was unreal. JWP will be fine I'm interested to see more 4oz/cage MT bouts. Interesting concept.
Will be awesome first of three showcase fights. Other fights being looked at will excite all fight fans.:thumbsup
I was only thinking the State Hockey/Netball Centre because that's where the last JWP vs Zambidis fight was held back in 2011.
It's all changed a little since JWP signed a 3 fight contract with Powerplay. There was a promotional poster with Toby Smith fighting on the next PP show at Moonee Valley. State netball and hockey center is a massive venue compared to MV and you might need a greek superstar to put bums on seats. I saw JWP vs Yod at MV for a world title in between the 2 Zambo fights. I was also at their first fight at the hockey center and think its one of the best ringside venues Melbourne has to offer.