John Wayne Parr says vs Yodsanklai

On the 10th of December I had my chance fighting Yodsanklai for the first ever WBC Muay Thai world title but unfortunately was beaten by the better man on the day.

I had the Preacher fight on the 19th and wasn't happy with my fitness so after three days off got back into the gym and picked my training up another two notches.

After the Preacher fight we tried our best to bring out my Thai pad holder from Thailand but had a few problems with his visa's, he only arrived ten days prior to the fight and only got to hold pads for me 6 days, it was still great having him though and in a short time had my attacks nice and solid again.

Over the weeks I slowly got my weight down at a manageable weight, after training I was sitting 74kg and walking around about 77kg, the last few fights I have had been walking around 79kg and was taking too much out of me getting to 70kg, I also wasn't keen to lose that much weight again after only losing it three weeks prior.

After cutting my food right back and two runs with the suit on and I was down to 69.5kg, the lightest I had been in many years. The cut off weight for the title was 69.85kg and I didn't want to have to weigh-in twice.

Night of the fight and the place was pumping, the Gold Coast convention center was almost full with about 4000 people. Wasn't on till 2nd last fight so just chilled in the room with my Thai trainers and Paul Briggs who came up from Sydney just for my fight.

I had a lot going through my head with everyone telling me different things, I was worried he was going to go for my shin and it was going to split again, after Preacher fight I had to get 6 stitiches and it was still very raw. I also heard around the traps he wanted to take my head off with elbows and boxing so had plenty to think about.

Once I was up I couldn't wait to get in there, this is the moment I had been fighting for and was ready to make history being the first ever WBC Muay Thai world title.

After our Ram Muay's the fight started and Yodsanklai wasted no time throwing a big inside leg kick putting me off balance a little bit. Yod also threw some sneaky punches getting past my guard landing.

Every time I tried to attack Yod would just be that little bit out of range making me hit nothing but air, I didn't lose focus though and knew my shots would catch up with him sooner or later.

2nd round and I tried to pick it up and put the pressure on, once again I would loaded up with 6 to 8 punch combo's, and I must give it to Yod as he has great eyes and great defense and would slip with all without my glove even hitting him.

Just near the end of the round (after watching Dalia's handy cam) Yod faked with his right lead leg for a front kick then came up over the top with a left head kick landing flush on my jaw, I remember my body falling backwards and hitting the canvas hard, was like being thrown down on the ground by ten men.

I got up and fought on and luckily it wasn't too long before the bell went.

Round 3 and from here on in a really can't remember, I watched the tape Yesterday and wasn't happy with my self, I think I just did what I had to to survive and running on automatic.

Yod was landing with his left leg and I was just blocking with no returns, other times I would try to return but the impact of the kicks would push me off balance.

Round 4, See round 3, not much difference.

Round five and finally starting to come clear. This was the last round and only had three minutes if I wanted that belt. This was my best round landing with a few nice punches and kicks and put the pressure right on.

End of the round Yod landed another nice head kick and when I went to counter slipped on the canvas making it look worse then it was, Cameron Quinn the Referee seen it as a slip though let the fight continue, wasn't long then the fight was over.

End of the fight I knew I had lost but I really did give it everything I had, I lost to a twenty year old who is a current Thailand and Lumpinee champion with 220 fights and happy I gave him a hard fight. After the announcements Yodsanklai's hand was raised in victory and the belt went around the waist. Yod Gave a speech in little English he knew and the crowd gave him a big applause.

Half way through my speech the penny must have dropped that I just lost hold of my dream then the bottom lip started going on me without me being able to do anything about it, after trying to hold myself together and trying again but with no success.

Angie my wife, Richard Vell my sponsor, Paul briggs and many of my friends have never seen me cry and it sucked, not only that but in front of 4000 people and on TV but that's how much it ment to me I guess.

Looking forward to having a bit of a break over Christmas, I am also moving Boonchu gym to a new location early in the new year and looking forward to a new beginning.

At this stage my first fight for 2006 will be against Steve Wakeling, Wembly, London on March the 12 for the WBC world Middle weight title. This is a chance to redeem myself and 2nd time around there will be no mistakes.