Fighter Justin February is preparing to take on Durban’s Stavon Lewis for the World Muay Thai Organisation’s middleweight South African professional-amateur vacant title.
With the departure of the reigning champ, Isgshaack Ebrahim, there will be an air of anticipation for the bout at Sunningdale Sports Complex on Saturday May 11.
Reflecting on his path, the Maitland-born February spoke with humility and gratitude, acknowledging the support of his mentors, the sweat and toil shared with his training partners, as well as the vision of individuals like Nicholas Radley, whose passion for the sport provides a platform for aspiring athletes.
“I’m just grateful honestly, grateful for the position to be able to train, grateful for my coaches Mike, Tumelo and Ryan for putting the work in with me to get to where I am. I am grateful for my training partners who push me to be here. Nothing happens without them and lastly, I am grateful for Nic Radley. Nobody I’ve met loves the sport more and giving young athletes like us a platform like this to compete is really something to admire so we are very grateful for Nic and his team and all their efforts,” he said.
As the bout looms for the upcoming Thaiholics Fight Promotions’ Battle Royale (TFP8), the Pride Fighting Academy (PFA) warrior, February hinted at the tempest that awaits within the ring.
“My opponent is a good fighter, I’ve seen him compete and it’s going to be a pleasure to share the ring with such a great fighter. In order for either of us to win I think it’s going to take a lot of violence and I think that’s what people come to the fights to see in any case so I think it’ll be good for the spectators,” he said.
February has won two of his three professional-amateur fights. Yet, he remains anchored in the present, focused solely on the task at hand. To those who dare to tread the path he once walked, he offered sage counsel, born of his own trials and triumphs.
“When I moved to PFA, maybe a month in, one of my coaches were fighting for this same belt and I thought to myself, ‘how sick would it be to fight for a belt like that?’
“I just never stopped training. I never stopped getting beat up, never stopped going and trying. There will be ups and downs and days you really don’t know if it’s for you, I promise if you work hard at something you can do anything. I like to say everything is time, anybody can do anything if they put time in,” he said.
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