For those who have fought in Thailand

[Screamtruth]

Gents, and Ladies,
I am curious if the fights you have attended in Thailand differ, in respect to pace and aggression, from those here in the US. I know that the striking rules differ with the advent of the elbows in Thai bouts, but in the general nature of the fight, would you consider the pace and aggressivness to be different. Also, I have trained in Muay Thai for 2 years; learning the basic strikes, conditioning, developing power. Now I am at the crossraods, in the fact that I have started to spar. I have limited time to train at the school, but I have an abundancy of time to hit the bag and run at home. So, now my perfect technique and power seem futile in the fact I feel overwhelmed in the ring; I can't seem to put together the combo's like I do on the bag, and I can't seem to find my range and see other strikes comming at me. Please tell me this will improve in time. I have also not found my tolerance for my chin yet. The knees and kicks hurt, but I have conditioned my midsection and legs, so they do not end me. Last thought, where can I get news on Thailand bouts on the internet. I see boxing here on TV, but I am dying to watch some Thai matches on TV.

[suksun]

http://www.tv5.co.th/live

Saturday 22.10(Thai time) muaythai from lumpini stadium

[Python]

Screamtruth,

Man, don't sweat it. Your sparring WILL get better, but only by doing it! If you have trained for 2 years and are just now sparring, I personally think you waited too long to begin sparring. You have probably gotten your body mechanics and techniques looking awesome on the bags and pads, but the sparring partner is going to move, always move, so you won't pull off the same sweet combos right off the get go, like you do on the bags. AND the chin needs to build up tolerance. Getting "hit" the first time in sparring is probably one of the best learning tools our sport has to offer. You will develop your timing, reflexes, defense, and combos more and more with each sparring session you do. You will also begin to guage your distance alot better too. As your sparring improves, your body mechanics will indeed improve more on the bags and pads too. PUt on a headgear, and get a partner and do alot of "shoot, cover, shoot", and after you are comfortable with it, take the headgear off and do it. It will better prepare you for the impact from your sparring partner and will improve you defense(covers).

Hope this helps. I am sure others will have more to add to this.

Good luck!

[Screamtruth]

Thanks Python,
I have little time here in town to spar, and I know that is not very helpful. I work offshore and time is something I do not have an abundance of; nevertheless, I do not plan on competing, but I love the sport, and in that respect I wan't to improve. I have friends at my school who fight regularly, and I have made arrangements to get with them and spar when I can. Thanks for your input!
Nathan