“The Butcher” wins national title
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NOWRA’S Nick “The Butcher” Martin is the new Australian WKA Muay Thai middleweight champion after winning his fight for the vacant title in Castle Hill last month.
Martin normally fights as a light middleweight, but when the opportunity came up to compete for a national title in a higher middleweight division (72.5 kilograms and above), he was willing to give it a crack.
While his opponent Scott Wilson had a size advantage, it did not stop Martin from getting the job done.
“He was a little bigger than me, but when the chance came up after another fighter pulled out I just thought what the hell; I’ll give it a go,” he said.
“It was a tough fight, but I was really happy with my performance. Everything I’d done in training just sort of came together on the night and it worked well.”
A butcher by trade, Martin won a national title for butchery four years ago, but to achieve the same feat in the ring is something he has always strived for.
“It’s a dream come true,” he said.
“I’ve been trying to get one for a couple of years. I fought for an Aussie title last year, which I lost and the year before that I fought for a state title, which I lost.
“But I’ve kept pushing for it and now I’ve got one.”
While he has been working for years to get his hands on a national title, Martin said he does not really feel any pressure to try to keep it.
“No, I’m not too worried about it really,” he said.
“I’ve ticked that goal off and I’ll get to keep the belt forever, even if someone takes the title off me, so I’m not really too fussed,” he added.
Martin trains at Southern Fitness & Martial Arts in Bomaderry and has been kickboxing since the centre opened about eight years ago.
But it has only been in the past three or four years that he has started fighting competitively.
“I never really expected to [fight competitively], but I just picked it up because that’s where I was heading.
“My training was getting better and I just loved it and kept taking fights.”
Staying fit was one of the main things he liked about it, but the potential for self-improvement and continuing to push himself, is another thing Martin loves about the sport.
At 27, Martin is showing no signs of slowing down and wants to stay in the ring for as long as he can.
“I’d just like to keep doing what I’m doing while I’m still fit and young.
“Just keep pushing and see how far I can take it.”