MANDURAH Muay Thai boxer Chantel Jones will have her first crack at a title on September 20 when she comes up against Michelle Seivers at the Origins Fight Show at the Craigie Leisure Centre.
Jones, 38, said a change of trainers was the catalyst for the title fight opportunity.
“I changed trainer and after two weeks I was offered the title fight,” she said.
“It’s something I’ve been waiting for since I started.”
Jones switched to trainer Jay Gray from Onyx Fit, Bibra Lake after her former trainer, world Muay Thai champion Caley Reece, had become too busy with her own fight commitments.
“She is travelling the world but still offers to help where she can,” Jones said.
“I’ve known Jay for a couple of years, he was the former strength and conditioning coach for Peel Thunder.”
Jones, the owner of Mandurah’s True Grit Thai Boxing Club and single mother of two said it wasn’t getting any easier as she got older and commitments were increasing, so she needed to the make the most of it now.
“I needed someone who could put the time into me; I wanted to get more fights and take my fighting to another level,” she said.
“It’s the hardest training I’ve ever done.
“I feel really good, I’m probably the fittest and strongest I’ve ever been.”
Jones’ opponent has had more than double the amount of fights with Seivers’ 15 career fights to the Mandurah fighter’s seven.
Seivers has also recently swapped trainers and is now fighting as a south paw.
“She’s never fought south paw before so it will be interesting,” Jones said.
Jones said she was sure the nerves would kick in as the fight edged closer but was looking forward to the challenge.
“I’ve got nothing to lose, if I lose I’ve gained a lot of experience, but of course you always want to win,” Jones said.
Jones said the event was bound to be a “cracker of a fight”.
“There’s going to be two girls who want to see blood,” she said.
No matter the outcome Jones will have a shot at another title on November 15, the WTF Title at the Nemesis Fight Show.
Tickets to the Origins Fight Show at the Craigie Leisure Centre can be purchased at originsfightpromotions.com
For those interested in taking up Muay Thai, Mandurah’s True Grit Thai Boxing Club offers Muay Thai training as well as boxing, strength and core training, fitness training and Little Gritters for children aged four and up.
Call the club located on Rouse Road, Mandurah on 9584 2515.
