Debut: Daniel Matthews, left, and his brother, Jack. Daniel will feature in his first professional Muay Thai fight on Saturday night. Photo: Steve Huntley
Daniel Matthews is ready to rumble.
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After years of training, hard work and dedication, the 18-year-old is set to make his professional Muay Thai debut on Saturday night when he steps into the ring at Rebellion Muay Thai’s Roots 19: One Drop event in Melbourne.
From Kyabram, Matthews trains with local Muay Thai legend Kiw Eikkasit alongside his brother, Jack, at Wickham’s Martial Arts Centre in Echuca, rising through the amateur ranks.
And now he will make the journey down to the Melbourne Pavilion in Kensington to take part in his first professional bout.
“I’ve been waiting for this for years,” Matthews said about his debut.
“The nerves are starting to kick in, but that’s normal for the first fight, I think.”
Matthews will be squaring off against Benedict Tivisini, a fighter who will also be making his professional debut.
“I’m expecting to win. I’m anticipating a good, hard fight,” he said.
“I’ve been pretty used to it because I’ve been training with Kiw and Jack for years. It’s pretty much been the same as normal training, just a little bit harder.
“It’s going to be more mental, I think. Physically, I’m fit and I’m strong, so it’s just more mental getting in the ring and performing in front of people.”
Having watched both Kiw and Jack compete at numerous events, Matthews said that experience would hopefully give him an edge on Saturday night.
“It definitely is a bonus. Knowing what is going on and knowing what is expected of you and how to perform is a big benefit,” he said.
Matthews started off in Muay Thai when he was 16 years old, making the 80km round trip from Kyabram to the Wickham’s gym six days a week.
“I always wanted to do boxing or something and I found Muay Thai and it was set from there, it was the best thing I think I have ever done,” he said.
“It was pretty much set from the start that I wanted to go pro, so it was an easy decision to take that step.”
Ready for action: Daniel Matthews has spent years training for his debut fight, and will finally get to step into the ring on Saturday night in Melbourne. Photo: Steve Huntley
Roots is the undercard for Rebellion’s feature fights, serving as a chance for new fighters to make their way into the sport before stepping up to the next level.
Daniel’s brother, Jack, said it would be awesome to see his younger brother make his pro debut, something he did himself in September last year.
“I’m very excited to see him open the card, he is opening the night like I opened last year,” Jack said.
“I push him more in training and he pushes me more as well, and it’s exciting to see. I’m sure he’ll be up there in Rebellion as well in no time.”
Jack himself will be in action as well on Saturday night, fighting as part of the main card at Rebellion 26.
“The preparations have been good, I’m feeling fit and strong,” he said.
“The body is good, technique is good, I’m just keen to get in there and fight.”
Saturday night will be Jack’s first fight on Rebellion’s main card, having earned his stripes in the Roots ring.
“Rebellion is a bigger step — it’s more promoted and it has a lot more of the higher-level professionals so I am looking to step in and make my mark,” he said
“The crowd should be bigger so I’m expecting a bit more energy in the ring when I’m fighting, I’m pretty excited to see what it is like.
“When I started, I first watched Kiw in Rebellion, so that has always been the event that introduced me to the sport. It is pretty big and I have always wanted to fight in Rebellion.”
The Roots undercards will commence from 5pm, with the Rebellion 26 fights kicking off about 7pm.
The pay-per-view event will be live streamed on Rebellion Muay Thai’s website rebellionmuaythai.com.au
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