By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
MUAY Thai boxer Erik Miskle has had to kick 10 kilos — in a hurry.
Since January 9, he hasn’t had a day off training in order to trim to a 62-kilogram limit for an eight-man knockout tournament in Melbourne this Friday.
It is only 1.5 kilos below his regular fighting weight but, as he puts it, he “had a great Christmas”.
Training at MTC Young Bulls Gym in Dandenong, Miskle has lots of legitimate weapons to use in his fights: his fists, elbows, knees and feet. Unlike a boxer, a Muay Thai fighter can legally aim below the belt.
In these fights, shins can be broken by feet, and faces cut open by elbows.
Miskle’s confidence is rising. He has won 14 of his 19 competition fights, including seven knockouts, and matched accomplished fighters in Thailand.
He’s put down previously undefeated Brazilian champ Manuel Dias and pushed two-time former world champion Kampan Santaweesook to the brink.
He is set to fight for a national junior welterweight title in April. “I’ve learnt I can go the distance with fighters of their calibre,” he says. “But after the [Kampan] fight, I couldn’t walk the next day.”
Miskle said he’s been lucky with injuries, but he’s still had to “push past the pain barrier”.
He’s fought with a chipped bone in his right foot, not wanting to let people down by cancelling. “One thing I have is determination,” he says. “I believe I push harder than others. I go past the pain barrier.”
Miskle says he puts aside fear of injury. “The bills have to be paid,” he said. “And there’s not a lot of money for the sport.”
Friday’s tournament, the Rebellion Muay Thai 5, holds an alluring $10,000 prize. Miskle must beat three rivals and each match is three rounds of three minutes. It is on at Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 6pm.
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