Local youngster Hanif Sen recently travelled to Thailand to further his training in Muay Thai boxing, bouting with some of the world’s best in the discipline – and securing his first Thai victory.
17-year-old Hanif took up the sport just 2 years ago and had been training at Conflict Muay Thai off Beaper Shute near Ryde. But in November, he took the bold step to travel alone to the Thai Island of Phuket where he is now training 3 times a day in a specialist gym with some of the world’s best Muay Thai boxers.
He has had a great start to his boxing career winning 4 of his 5 UK fights.
Now, a month into his time in Thailand, he is fighting competitively at the Bangla Boxing Stadium – one of the biggest Muay Thai boxing Stadiums in the region that attracts large crowds from all over the world.
On 20th December, Hanif took to the ring in his first Class A fight against veteran French opponent, Nass. The bout was a masterclass of kicks, punches, pushes and elbows with a display of agility unexpected from these 2 heavyweight contenders.
With a particularly well-placed elbow, Hanif secured victory, winning his first professional fight in the home of Muay Thai.
Sen is staying in Thailand to train for 4 months. For those lucky enough to be in the area in early January, Hanif will be back to face off against his next opponent in a few weeks time and back fighting on home turf later in 2025.