Muay Thai world champion Mike Egan prepares for huge title fight in USA

Mike Egan is a world Muay Thai boxing champion from Llandudno.

Next month he will venture to America for another world title bout.

We had a chat with the North Wales combat great about the past. present and future.

Huge thanks to Caroline Griffiths for her help with this interview.

I BELIEVE YOU HAVE A FIGHT COMING UP IN AMERICA NEXT MONTH. CAN YOU GIVE US MORE DETAILS?

I am going to America on November 16th to fight in Tampa Bay, Florida. This will be my first fight in the USA.

WHAT OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE YOU FOUGHT IN? I BELIEVE YOU’VE HAD BIG FIGHTS IN THAILAND AND SPAIN IN THE PAST

I have fought in Pataya, Spain, Bilboa, Tenerife and Benidorm, I have also worked as a sparring partner abroad.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT FIGHT RECORD? HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN MARTIAL ARTS COMBAT?

I did karate for 4 years from the age of 7 to 11 and Thai boxing from the age of 15. I took a break due to illness. I have been fighting now for 20 years and have had 76 Thai and boxing fights.

YOU COMPETE IN KARATE, BOXING, MMA AND MUAY THAI – DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE DISCIPLINE OUT OF THE FOUR?

Thai is my favourite martial art. I am all for a challenge so enjoy competing in all martial arts.

TELL US ABOUT THE WELSH COMBAT LEAGUE. HOW SUCCESSFUL HAS IT BEEN?

Welsh Combat League has been running for 5 years. We have built it up from Eirias Park, Broadway Boulevard and now we fill Venue Cymru, It gives local fighters a chance to fight on the ig stage in all standard disciplines.

I BELIEVE YOU WON YOUR FIRST TITLE – THE EUROPEAN WUMA – IN 2010? HOW FAR DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE COME ALONG SINCE THEN?

I think I have got better with time, with the experience I have gained through fighting and training. Since then I have won close to 20 title fights. I believe when you fight you believe you are good enough and have the confidence.

YOU WON THE INTERNATIONAL MUAY THAI KICKBOXING ASSOCIATION (IMTKA) WORLD TITLE FIGHT AGAINST ITALIAN DAVIDE PIETROLLINI LAST YEAR – WAS THAT THE GREATEST MOMENT OF YOUR COMBAT CAREER TO DATE?

Yes, it led me to doing this job full time, it was nice to share with my family and friends.

WAS IT HARDER TO DEFEND THE WORLD TITLE – AS YOU DID AGAINST DAVIDE LUPI – EARLIER THIS YEAR THAN IT WAS TO WIN IT?

They were both challenging in different ways.

WHAT IS YOUR NEXT PLAN FOR THE WORLD TITLE? ANOTHER DEFENCE, OR DO YOU HAVE OTHER BELTS IN YOUR SIGHTS?

America is a world title fight at a different weight, from light middleweight to middleweight.

HOW LONG DO YOU PLAN TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR? ARE THERE ANY AMBITIONS YOU HAVE REMAINING?

As I am getting older, I am taking each fight one at a time.

HOW IS LIFE AT THE IMMORTALS GYM-THAIBOXING-WALES? IS THE AMOUNT OF PARTICIPANTS INCREASING? DO YOU HAVE A LOT OF POTENTIAL CHAMPIONS IN THE WINGS?

Immortals is growing all the time, the kids class is becoming very popular, I enjoy doing PT’s for people, helping them to meet their goals. We also have a few potential fighters coming up through the gym. Erik Zilka, junior Welsh Champion, George Herbert, Welsh BBU Champion, hoping to go professional. Dean Byfield has his sights on UBKB.

Stay tuned to Grassroots North Wales for more future news on Mike Egan and his co-fighters