It had been four years since I last laced up the gloves but the 26th March saw my long awaited return to the ring.
A lot has happened to me in those four years with opening my own gym, buying my own home, welcoming my son into the world and teaching many seminars the world over. It’s crazy but I seemed to suddenly become more well known since I’d stopped fighting.
I don’t know if any of you have watched the movie Real Steal with Hugh Jackman in it? It’s about remote controlled fighting robots, it sounds crap but it’s actually quite a good film. Anyway, I remember watching it with Michelle a few years back and there’s a scene in it where Jackman’s son gets to see him box. He’s ultra proud of his dad and I remember thinking that i’ll never have that as we didn’t have kids at that point and I was already in the twilight of my career.
When I was offered to fight on Muay Thai Grandprix’s event back in October 2015 my first thought was of that scene.
I’ll be honest, after i’d agreed to the fight I questioned if I had done the right thing. I mean I’m 36 going on 37, what was I doing? I’d had a relatively easy four years, enjoying life, no stresses just constant enjoyment with my family and gym and now i’m going to have to put myself through hell to get in to fight shape.
My training actually started straight after Christmas, it may sound strange but when you’re over 30 you have to train to be able to train. If I had jumped straight in to fight training 8 weeks before the show I’d have probably fell apart so I had to go slowly and steadily at first.
Everyday was a battle when it came to training, I actually dreaded it. I’m not sure if it was because I had to train myself or if it was because I also had to hold pads for my fighter Dan Edwards. He was fighting a few weeks before me but he weighs 80 plus kilos and hits like a mule.
Once i’d trained I felt great and thought yeah I can do this…then the next day it would start all over again. But I’d made a promise and I’ve never pulled out of an agreed fight so the show had to go on.
The support I had from everyone, and I don’t just mean family and friends I mean the Muay Thai community worldwide, was immense. I was really taken back, I’d taken money off people before the tickets had even gone on sale. I had also had several offers from big people in the sport saying I’m welcome to come and train at their place in prep for my fight. It was insane and very much appreciated. Unfortunately due to family and business commitments it just wasn’t possible to take them up on their offers.
The night before my fight saw me away from my family for the first time since Cole had been born. All I could think of was once the fight was over we can all relax together and finally get excited for our forthcoming family holiday instead crapping it about the fight.
I was the main event for the show, something which really shocked me as there were so many top fighters on the bill and I had been inactive for four years. To headline such a strong card really was an honour. Many of the fighters came up to me and said it was an honour to fight on my undercard but I mean what say here, so many of you guys fought amazingly well, I am honoured to be on the same card as you.
The fight was getting nearer and nearer as each fight finished, I’d gotten in to that numb stage now where I felt no emotion at all, no nerves, no excitement, nothing.
My hands were wrapped, I was oiled down, gloved up and ready to go.
It was now 12.15am, it had been a long evening of fights. I really didn’t expect Cole to be awake for my fight at this time of night but as I stood ready to walk down to the ring I saw Michelle holding Cole almost directly in front of me at the bottom of the walk way. Cole was wide awake smile and waving as he kept saying “Hi Daddy”. This is a memory and a vision i’ll never forget and all the crap I felt in the build up to this fight was all made worthwhile for that moment.
Apparently the whole way through my fight Cole stood on the table saying “My Daddy, My Daddy” he probably didn’t understand that I had some guy trying to punch my face in but this is why I did what I did, so my son can see me fight.
The fight was tougher than I expected it to be. My power was still there and I’d hurt him a few times with punches but my timing was slightly off. I’m not sure what round it was but he came in to do a left knee and as he did I landed a left hook which put him down. He sprung back up to his feet instantly and in Muay Thai that means no standing 8 count. He tried it again almost straight away and again my left hook connected and he went down so clearly it was the hook that had an effect. Towards the end of the 3rd round I caught him again and he was out but clung on to me like a barnacle. 
I was trying to shake him off so I could whack him again and put him down. He slumped on to the floor as I managed to get him off and I shouted to the ref “he’s out” but then the bell had gone.
It was a very close fight with me taking the 5th round. I’ve seen a few comments expressing that they thought I’d lost and the Spanish guy was robbed. First thing, a fair few of my body kicks landed flush on his ribs compared to his landing on my arm, secondly my punches physically rocked him hence an effect and finally the judges were the IBMTO so they do know Muay Thai criteria.
It was a split decision in favour of me so one judge did see it differently and with any split decision from judges there will obviously be divided opinions from the spectators.
I’ll be truthful, if it had gone to Lopez I wouldn’t have felt hard done by. However, I don’t feel lucky to have been given the win either, it was that close.
I also saw a few comments saying my body language looked as though I thought i’d lost after the bell had went. It may have appeared that way but that wasn’t actually the case at all. Again i’ll be honest, I really didn’t care what was going to be announced, I don’t actually think I even gave that a thought. All I wanted was for my good friend and cornerman Adrian Maguire to get Cole and bring him to me so I could have a picture in the ring with him.
When he brought him into the ring I put my hands out to him and he started punching my gloves. Then he started waving at Lopez and saying “Hi” as we awaited the decision.
From the very beginning of my career my goal was to become a world champion. I thought that was the epitome of success within the sport and that the only way to go from there was to gain more world titles. Winning those belts seemed like the best thing in the world at the time but It is only since the build up to this fight that I realised I have achieved so much more, that there is something more valuable than a world title belt. I have gained worldwide admiration and respect, people who want to hear my stories of success and defeat, who look to me as a mentor and a role model. My aim now is to help those people to achieve their own goals and live their dreams the way I have. I have had my time in the limelight and still have a deep love for the sport, but will I ever fight again? who knows… for now i’m going to sit back, enjoy my time with my family and look forward to the future, whatever that may hold