Jorm here to fight, and see koala

Thai boxer Jorm Promteph has more than his eyes on the prize when he takes on Kurt Finlayson in Hervey Bay next weekend.

JORM Promteph’s agenda for his visit to the Fraser Coast includes a huge must – seeing a kangaroo and a koala.

Winning a kick-boxing fight comes naturally for the man from Thailand but he’s never had the chance to see a couple of Australia’s most famous residents.

The 29-year-old from Phuket is making his first trip to Australia and he’s coming to Hervey Bay on a mission.

To win his fight against Kurt “Killer” Finlayson next Saturday and see some marsupials.

Promteph, a stadium champion back home, will go blow-for-blow against the Sunshine Coast-based Finlayson in the main bout of Muaythai Mayhem at Urangan State High School.

He’s had more than 300 fights, a record that includes over 100 wins by knockout, while Finlayson has 89 to his name.

Craig Glover, from Hervey Bay’s Street Smart Thai Boxing Centre, organised Promteph’s visit and the Muaythai Mayhem.

He said it was a real coup for the region to get a quality fighter such as Promteph to fight here.

“That’s providing he survives the flight from Thailand – he’s never flown before and he wasn’t looking forward to it,” Glover, who drove down to Brisbane to pick Promteph up yesterday, said.

“But it won’t only be the plane trip that’s a new experience for him.

“He’s never experienced temperatures below 23 Celsius – I might have to get him some socks,” he laughed.

On a more serious note, Glover said fight fans or local fighters won’t have to wait a week to see Promteph in action.

He’ll be doing a skill and technique training session for those interested between 1pm and 4pm at Urangan State High School tomorrow.

Glover said it was must-do session for those interested in the sport.

“He’ll show just how to use all the weapons including hands, elbows, knees and shins/feet,” Glover said.

“It’s a fantastic chance to learn from one of the very best in the business.”

After the training session, it will be down to business for Promteph.

He’ll train twice a day at the Street Smart Thai Boxing Centre ahead of the fight with Finlayson.

It’s a fight Glover said was shaping up to be cracker.

“You can be sure that Finlayson won’t take a backward step,” he said.

“He’s had 75 wins in his career, 37 by knockout – he’ll be more than a handful.”