Soren Mongkontong hails from Brisbane where he represents NTG Gym. The Queenslander is the World Muay Thai Council Super 8 Champion World Series Champion as well as the WMC Intercontinental Champion. One of the most promising fighters to emerge from Australia, 25-year-old Monkontong trains with Eminent Air Boxing Gym in Thailand and possesses a formidable fight record of 35 wins from 48 fights, with 20 KOs a draw and 12 losses. Soren’s youth is his greatest asset as he continues to mature as a fighter. A calm personality belies as explosive style in the ring and makes him one to watch.
Alain Sylvestre is the current holder of Canada’s Middleweight Muay Thai Championship title. Quebec-born Sylvestre lives in Ottawa and trains at Ronin MMA before heading to Thailand to polish his Muay Thai skills. A hard worker, Sylvestre puts a lot of heart into his fights and will be a tough opponent to wear down. Alain has fought at many international events around the world.
Joakim Karlsson from Sweden is one of trh most unconventional fighters in the series. His professional fight record lists 13 wins, 6 losses and one draw from 20 fights, including 5 KOs. Karlson is no stranger to knockout competition as he come second in the IFMA World Muaythai Championship in 2006 in which boxers from 82 countries participated. He is no stranger of fighting at big events as he won WMC hi Swedish Title in front of 12000 spectators at the WMC Rumble of the Kings event in Stockholm. This is one fighter that deserves respect for having the courage to put his troubled past behind him by embracing the strict discipline of Muay Thai, and he has the full backing of his manager and the owner of the Vallentuna Boxing Camp which he represents.
Rafik Bakkouri is no stranger to fans of Muay Thai. The 29-year-old is the French Muay Thai Champion as well as a three-time Class A Champion. He doubles up as a fighter and trainer at Franthai Full gym in Paris, and is known r\to be a cold and clinical customer in the ring. In life, he is a cocky, confident and chatty character – with a love for dinning, partying and sports, as well as reggae music. During fights, he may look impassive but ask anyone who have lost him professionally and they will beg to differ. Born under the sign of Scorpio, Bakkouri certainly comes with a deadly sting in the tail with 27 wins from 33 fights(10 by KO), with 2 draws and only 4 losses. One of the losses was in January 2007 when he was badly beaten by Yodsanklai. This time around, he will be better prepared.
Briton David Pacquette is ine of the better-known fighters vying to be The Contender Asia. At the KO Gym in London, Pacquette is a qualified martial arts instructor in Muay Thai, boxing, and kickboxing. He is also a gym instructor with qualifications first aid, circuit training and in nutrition and weight management, skills that make him a scientific fighter in the ring. An all-rounded athlete, Pacquette’s other interests include running and swimming. Pacquette has represented England in Europe Muay Thai events and appeared on Channel Five Television’s Night Of Fight Programmes. He is variously the ICF British Champion and IMTF, WMTO and WKPL English Champion. His experience will be his greatest asset.
Russian-born Dzhabar Askerov is the youngest of the 16 fighters in The Contender Asia. Now residing in the United Arab Emirates, Askerov is a thinking man’s fighter, fighting intelligently with swift moves, turning his lack of height into strength. Training and fighting alongside Arslan Magomedov and Ramazan has made Askerov a better fighter and the man nicknamed Genghis Khan boast a creditable fight record, winning two out of every three fights [33 fights, 22 wins, 11 losses, 8 KOs]. Dzhabar won the WMC Muaythai against Drug title and also the WMC Asian challenge. The psychology student is reluctant to discuss his life in Russia and prefers to do his talking in the ring.
Naruepol Fairtex is one of the most exciting Muay Thai fighters from Thailand’s famed Fairtex stable. Naruepol is currently regarded as one of the top contenders for the WMC Muaythai Welterweight title. A Lumpinee and Thai Champion, 22-year-old Naruepol is one of the most popular fighters with his handsome boyish good looks, enabling him to also work as a model, and he also inspire to become an action star. At 5’11”(1.80m), and weighing 147lbs(66.7kg), he is a lean, mean fighting machine. Training twice a day has helped to hone his skills and the Bangkok-born fighter is well-known for his superb knee and elbow moves. As with most Thai-born fighters, Naruepol began fighting after watching his elder brother in action and continues to fight for his family. He counts his recent fight in Europe in April among his most memorable experiences, and with a 110 win 40 loss record, he is one Contender to look out for.
Jose Pitu Sans brings a Catalan flavor to The Contender Asia. At 72kg, he is also the heaviest of the fighters and he intends to use this to his advantage. A chef by trade, Pitu now lives in Thailand with his wife, while his son is growing up in Spain. A hardcore fighter, Pitu’s tough style comes from his grounding as a mixed martial arts fighter. He will have the desire to go all the way in order to bring glory to his family back home in Catalunya.
Kim Khan Zaki ‘Zig Zach’ enters the competition as the third competitor after triumphing at the WMC Superfights World Muay Thai Heavyweight Grand Prix in Singapore. Growing up in Singapore there were no Muay Thai gyms and after seeing Muay Thai live for the first time in Thailand he immersed himself in as many books, websites and videos as he could until he came across a new Muay Thai gym in Singapore. After dislocating his shoulder at the age of 18 at the Amateur World Tournament, injury gave Zach the determination to train at the World Muay Thai Council in Thailand for six months. On his return to Singapore, Zach set up his own personal training center, training others in the art of Muay Thai and fought in other competitions, making it to the quarter finals of the IFMA Amateur World Tournament in Kazakhstan and winning the World Muay Thai Council Muay Thai Against Drugs Challenge. Zach has 16 fights under his belt, 11 of which he has won. He is also Singapore’s only entrant into the competition.
Trevor Smandych is one of the most outstanding fighters to emerge form Canada, with a raft of international titles under his belt. Entering the world of martial arts at 11 and training in traditional karate under renowned coach Mike Miles, Trevor switched to Muay Thai and Kickboxing at 13, preferring the full contact allowed for these disciplines. After winning his first fight at 16 against a bigger opponent, coach Miles gave Trevor the nickname ‘TNT’ for his sudden and often lethal explosions in the ring. Trevor chalked up 36 amateur wins and including the IFMA Canadian Superlightweight Muay Thai Champion title the IKF North American Superlightweight Full Contact and kickboxing Champion titles in 1998, and the WKA World and International Superlightweight Muay Thai Champion titles in 1999. Trevor has represented Canada at the IFMA World Champions Turning pro soon after. Trevor continued his winning ways, capturing three WMC titles and two C-MAX titles from 2000-2004. Trevor also won the Muaythai against Drug Title in Thailand held in honor of his Royal Highness the Prince of Thailand. Outside the ring, Trevor is an instructor whose technical accuracy and genuine nature makes him an excellent coach. His armory includes superb elbow and knee skills, and a deadly roundhouse kick. His professional fight record stands at 24 wins (11KOs), 24 losses and 1 draw from 29 bouts. Trevor’s ambition is to be a Professional World Muay Thai Champion
Soren Mongkontong hails from Brisbane where he represents NTG Gym. The Queenslander is the World Muay Thai Council Super 8 Champion World Series Champion as well as the WMC Intercontinental Champion. One of the most promising fighters to emerge from Australia, 25-year-old Monkontong trains with Eminent Air Boxing Gym in Thailand and possesses a formidable fight record of 35 wins from 48 fights, with 20 KOs a draw and 12 losses. Soren’s youth is his greatest asset as he continues to mature as a fighter. A calm personality belies as explosive style in the ring and makes him one to watch.
