Hammerhead in Thailand.... a year on the ropes.

DeVore

A good mate of mine who posts here occasionally under the name Hammerheadgym took the plunge, quit everything here and went to Thailand to spend a year training in some kind of martial arts monestary.
He's keeping a weekly diary which is well worth a read!

His story starts here

DeV.

Dave!

Just had a read, very good!

HammerHeadGym

Hey Damage,
Thanks for the PR mate. Actually it's not a monastery so much as a camp. But we are next to a temple. Gotta run, class starting soon.

buck65

Is this guy Strutter?
(From MTV)

dlofnep

Good job man

Roper

Ha! Dave's a funny guy. I'll be watching this with interest!

Millionaire

excellent move! go for your dream! I am here in Thailand over 1 year now, and living a brilliant dream too!

dlofnep

Stop making us jealous Gerry!

TwoKingMick

You can add me to the list of people living it up in thailand. Albeit with food poisoning, and only for a month.

dlofnep

hey mick!

Millionaire

Do not eat chicken from street sellers! we all learned that the hard way! LOL! ;-)

HammerHeadGym

buck65 wrote:

Is this guy Strutter?
(From MTV)

Ha ha ha. No that's Paul Kaye but thanks for the comparison.

Thanks roper. I'll try and be funny.

Im training with these guys by the way, if anyone's intrested.

muaythaicamps.com

Millionaire

Hows the training Dave?

Whats your routine like so far?

Are you sick of people calling you "farang farang farang!" LOL!!!

When I was up in Burriram in Nong Kee Payuth camp.. I was about the only white person there, and all the kids would follow me about "farang farang farang"... felt same as Phil Lynott must have felt when he was first black man in Dublin. :-)

TwoKingMick

I was just at a fight night in the Kawila boxing stadium in Chaing Mai last night. Was a pretty good night. Very regional. Nine fights were over in under two hours. As soon as one fight ended the next guys were in the ring. The standard varied but it seemed very good to me. A few big elbow knockouts.

The crowd was alost completly foreigners though, most of whom seemed to be there to see human cockfighting rather than skills. And the main event was a farce, a probably 75kg american versus what looked like a 65 kg thai.

Good night though. Got talking to an irish guy there and never asked his name. Wasn't you was it?

HammerHeadGym

Hey,

Gerry. I long to be called Farang. For now it's pom poui (sp?) Means fat belly. Not really an insult in Thailand. Or so they say between fits of laughter.

Mick. Nope. Not me. Pretty sure it was my flatmate though. Big tall skinny guy? probably had a bit of a limp and a shaved head? The American in question was only 71kg on his way out of the gym. I think they gave him an edge going into the fight though, as it was only his second. I understand the thai had six fights before this one. But who knows. They are not very strict on the weigh in, up north. Not for 'beginner' bouts anyway.

Anyway, gerry. Training is insane. Doing twice a day now. Good going but I am living for Sunday.

Millionaire

Pom Pui. lol!!! Gerry no pom pui anymore, why gerry what you do????? ( go short time... who me.... never!!! ;-)

Got rid of me Pom Pui since I stopped the gargle! :-)

Yeah..you never know what or how to take what the Thais say!!??!! Best thing is not to read into it too much!

Yeah Mick...its not unusal to see about 10 kg or more in weigh difference...

There is this massive fat european guy... I think he lives in pattaya....when I say fat... I mean Eric Butterbean Esk fat... and he fights MT monthly...usually a thai about 20 kg smaller. the amusing thing is the dude takes himself so serious.... is a fooking joke. He trains in camp I am in sometimes. and struts about with a grimmace on him like the reincarnation of bruce lee.

Theres another english guy who is 40 and built like brick ****e house, over 90kg..same weight as me... called Mickey The Hammer... he is western boxing, and looks like a former soccer thug. again he boxes tiny thai guys, and he thinks he is gods gift, and when he KOs them...which is often due to his sheer size, he roars and grows and beats his chest like king kong. the little thai guys have a million times bigger balls than him. My neighbour from the UK is a former boxing trainer, and he trains The Hammer, and asked me to be his sparring partner. I refused, however when I do see him fight, I sometimes think of taking him up on the offer, and hammer the dung out of him for being such an ejit. serious fighters think he is a joke, but for some reason the Thai audience love him, and he is famous in pattaya. even the guy who fills my bike with gas, be's boasting he fills The Hammers tuck with gas too!!!???!! like what the fook is all that about!!! am I missing something????

Like how can you take yourself serious when all your doing to knocking the crap out of some guy 20kg lighter???

Again sometimes I am offered fights, and I do think about it, but it would be the same thing...me a fit 90kg against some thai guy. the thais fight hard, don't get me wrong but when you 20kg heavier...its like a circus freak show.
Is it worth it just to get your ego rocks off??? I am not so sure these days???

damo

Sounds cool, chiang mai was easily the nicest part of thailand that i visited.

HammerHeadGym

Me too, Damo. Cheapest too

Millionaire

HammerHeadGym wrote:

Me too, Damo. Cheapest too

No Issan is by far the cheapest(as it so poor)... I would take 5000 bhat (about 120 euro) out of the ATM...and 3 weeks later still have most of it in my pocket!!!!

I literally could not spend money! it was amazing!

HammerHeadGym

Story Gerry, I meant that, id visited.

buck65

Gerry, you say you have turned down fights, just wondering why you are out there training so hard if not to fight? Is it to develop your skills?
No disrespect intended.

Millionaire

buck65 wrote:

Gerry, you say you have turned down fights, just wondering why you are out there training so hard if not to fight? Is it to develop your skills?
No disrespect intended.

Yes, to develop my skills. and very much ). because i really enjoy and totally love this sort of training...its such a buzz.

to push myself to new limits in MA (give my own ability. and as my main interest in MA is Self Defence...to keep my skills fine tuned...just incase! and of course to stay in shape too!

MA training is my life! my passion...simple as that.

I only have time to train once a day...if I was going to fight, I would probably have to train 2 times a day, as that is the standard out here, and sleep between training sessions. I got business to run...so just cannot devote the time.

anyway as I said already... at 35...is there really any point in me fighting some clapped out thai guy who is 20 kg lighter that me...just to be another bit of entertainment for the tourists between their vists to Go Go Bars.

to be brutally honest...I am too old to go anywhere serious with fighting at this stage (hard pill to swallow...but thats the truth), and I ain't going to do it for entertainment of tourists... (and to line the pockets of the promoters either).

So yeah,.. I just enjoy hard training, and I love it!

If I was in Ireland it would be no different. I d train the same.

HammerHeadGym

Speaking of fights, I realised I would be a bit of a kunt if i turned one down after telling Gerry to get stuck in. So on that note, I accepted a fight today for the 8th of March, in (i think) Tha phae stadium. Anyone who's in the area, feel free to drop in. I beleive the expression is in there like swimwear.

P.m. me for a ticket. SHould be around a fiver, plus 800 bucks for the plane.

Millionaire

HammerHeadGym wrote:

Speaking of fights, I realised I would be a bit of a kunt if i turned one down after telling Gerry to get stuck in. So on that note, I accepted a fight today for the 8th of March, in (i think) Tha phae stadium. .

Yee Haaa! Well done Dave! fair play to ya, and good luck. thats just 4 weeks, so get the wind/endurance up!

F Ya anyway...now your putting the spotlight on me to do one! LOL!

U lucky...you can train all the sessions and sleep in between. me got to work up to 12 hours a day!

HammerHeadGym

Hey gerry,
No pressure man. It's just what I came to thailand to do. Found out today that i'll have about a ten kilo advantage over him, but that he's a few fight already. so that shold balnce out. I told the promoter that I didn't just want to be fed the scrubs from another gym for the sake of the spectacle but don't think he understood.
Either way, it'll be good to get my first pro fight out of the way.

Roper

Good man Dave! If I could fly over to Thailand, and then be dragged out of the strip clubs, I would go and see you fight.

Millionaire

HammerHeadGym wrote:

Hey gerry,
No pressure man. It's just what I came to thailand to do. Found out today that i'll have about a ten kilo advantage over him, but that he's a few fight already. so that shold balnce out. I told the promoter that I didn't just want to be fed the scrubs from another gym for the sake of the spectacle but don't think he understood.
Either way, it'll be good to get my first pro fight out of the way.

LOL! You got me inspired....after all me bitching about being old! so I told my trainer this morning I want to fight in a few months. So I am just going to have to spend less time sitting out side starbucks on the beach, looking at chicks for a few months.

Heres the plan...

morning...training as usual MT session. pads rounds, bag, etc

7pm...I am taking 30 mins out of work to Run. I prefer threadmill due to sore knee, so goal is to run for 30 mins as fast as I can for a few weeks...build up the basic cardio...then I can do the interval stuff ala Ross Boxing book. Ross says a good standard is 1 mile in 7 mins...well I did 1 mile in 8mins 34 sec today..so I goto sharpen that up major.

Then in a few weeks, with super effecent time management I will get an hours training in at 230pm beofore I start my nights work.

Once that is trucking well for a few weeks, I will see is body holding together....put a date on it, and jump in the ring too! (i ll be shooting for an early KO LOL!!!)

Millionaire

what weight you at now Dave?

me I am 90 kg. give or take 2kg either way, depending on what day of week.

I lost all that flab I asked you about, about 6 months back. do not got a 6 pack...still got a little on the gut...but in general, I most turned hard to muscle which is kinda nice! the hard work paid off! however I am still same weight 90kg or 14 stone(good for power). Last time anyone on these boards whom I know or train with saw me, I was just 12 stone.

HammerHeadGym

I'm about about 95 now but planning to come in around 86-88. MOstly fat these days though, since I stopped lifting weights but forgot to stop eating. Still it's dropping off like sweat so, my second fight I should be around 80 or so. By may or June I should be at my ideal fighting weight again.
Though my six pack is starting to come thjrough again. I'll post the fight up here or youtube, providing i dsont make a total dick of myself.

And best of luck with your own fight mate.

Taiwan-Evo

Millionaire wrote:

LOL! You got me inspired....after all me bitching about being old! so I told my trainer this morning I want to fight in a few months. So I am just going to have to spend less time sitting out side starbucks on the beach, looking at chicks for a few months.

Heres the plan...

morning...training as usual MT session. pads rounds, bag, etc

7pm...I am taking 30 mins out of work to Run. I prefer threadmill due to sore knee, so goal is to run for 30 mins as fast as I can for a few weeks...build up the basic cardio...then I can do the interval stuff ala Ross Boxing book. Ross says a good standard is 1 mile in 7 mins...well I did 1 mile in 8mins 34 sec today..so I goto sharpen that up major.

Then in a few weeks, with super effecent time management I will get an hours training in at 230pm beofore I start my nights work.

Once that is trucking well for a few weeks, I will see is body holding together....put a date on it, and jump in the ring too! (i ll be shooting for an early KO LOL!!!)

Well done! you give us older guys inspiration.

Millionaire

yeah...stick up some stuff working the pads etc like I did on youtube. I orginally made vids to see was my technique ok or not...now they sort of document...my progress in my year in muay thai over here, and I ll do another vid soon, to see how I am coming on.

I was with a different trainer today who is 32 had 220 ish muay thai fights (was Lumpinee belt holder) and 28 pro boxing fights. this lad is more technical in teaching the techniques, while my other guy is better for getting me murdering the pads with less instruction. I learned a few new tips today...and lad said my basics came on real good, but I need to correct a few small mistakes I am making. which was nice to hear.

How are you coping with the heat? Up there is a bit cooler than down here in Pattaya I hear. It was about 95 degress baking sun today! :-) fooking class isn't it !!! who'd want to be stuck in Dublin ! and all them lovely gals smiling at ya! hee hee

HammerHeadGym

Don't know what you mean, mate. It's a chilly 82 up here

Actually, I'm having trouble sleeping. Might be up to the chemist for some melatonin. Don't know how that'll effect my training though. Had to have a can of red bull today, before the session. Worked a treat though. Still, don't want to be relying on that, every day. I'll get used to the heat in time, i know. I just hope it's a good bit before the fight.

Millionaire

I got Melatonin here, a thai version, and it grogs me right out the next morning. You can get pretty much anything in the chemist over here, especially the smaller private owner ones, for example a bodybuilder would be like a kid in a sweet shop if get my drift!

I think that is why the likes of Ricky Hatton (saw him on the street a few times) and other pro boxers come over here and train for long periods. as 1. they can rent the muay thai camps for cheapo between the thai training sessions 2. they can get all the gear they need over the counter. 3. nice weather to train in. 4. good nightlife...AHEM!!

I have been rock n rolling myself in training the last few mornings...its coming together real good. I am still sucking wind a bit...but the running will sort that out, as I build cardio. intevals and all the painful stuff.

HammerHeadGym

Yeah, I'm on my way to the druggery right now. Sleepers a plenty. I was drained this morning. Not physically, but mentally. I might be burning out, but it's more likely to be sleep deprivation. I'm cutting down on the number of laps ass well, I'd rather use my extra puff for the pad man. I'm off tomorrow, so the rest with the sleep should sort me right out.

You say the melatonin leaves you groggy the next day? How long do you sleep for? and how lang are you groggy for after you get up?

Millionaire

monday - friday I only sleep 5 - 6 hours. no choice...work to 1230 -1 am (to match dublin office hours), and then trying to switch off is hard, then up at 7am for training. it can be tough going, but I cannot miss morning training (unless I am really tired, I will not skip a session).

Saturdays evening I train in other camp on the QT for a bit of variety.

If I took melatonin, I think it leaves me groggy for a few hours, and I need to pump in coffees to wake up. it does the same to a buddy of mine.

I am still trying to work in my running which I aim to do 7pm every 2nd day, so I gradually build up.

If your feeling tired, go get oil thai massage and get them to go hard on you, its painful at the time, but the benefits kick in later. find a shop that knows their stuff...some just give tourists a rub and not a proper massage deep into muscle. I just had one, so I hopefully will be loosened out for training in 30 mins time.

DeVore

In Dave's blog I'm "Damage"... an old nickname some of my longtime mates use. Anyway, Ill be out there for a few days and hope to be video blogging my whole trip. Can't wait though a touch anxious about the complexity of the trip (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand)... its been a long time dream to hit S.E.A. but my last dream trip ended with me nearly killing myself on a snowboard. I'd like something a little more relaxing this time God. Ta.

DeV.

Millionaire

Singapore is cool, though sort of Americanized, but lots of yellow color people. Guayling (sp?)...sound like gay-ling, is worth check out, its like a Burce Lee movie with all the chinese signs and stuff and all sorts of chancers milling around , but it can be a bit dodgy, so be careful...don't be gargled.
The rest of singapore is very civilaized...but expensive.

Thailand rocks in every way possible IMO!

Had a good sparring session tonight...building that up again as I am a bit rusty. accidentially elbowed a dude in the eye... bit drama queen scene then. OPS! LOL! (french...what can you expect?)

Going for 2 hour Thai massage tomorrow on training day off. get muscles all worked!

HammerHeadGym

Hey gerry,
that's cool, i aim for 8 but could easily take nine, so I shouldn't be too groggy the next day. Wierdly enough, we have a french nutcase in our place now too. Must be the season.

Millionaire

HammerHeadGym wrote:

Wierdly enough, we have a french nutcase in our place now too. Must be the season.

yeah defo alot of nutcases come to Thailand.

one english dude in the camp, he has been here quite a while has "gone native"... he refuse to speak to any of us other farang, does not acknolegde any of us, and spends all this time sucking up to the thais.

He.s actually a good fighter and small in size so he gets good fights, though I do not think "going native" is going to improve his fight game any.

Weird fooker! :rolleyes:

HammerHeadGym

No point starting a new thread.

Had my first fight last night.

I kicked his ass.

Ding!

Your turn, Gerry.

Millionaire

Well done Dave!

Me in Bangkok for 2 weeks doing some full on Krav Maga training. (in bits today... this is full contact, my faith in REAL KM has been restored!!)

ex YAMAM (now theres one to google).

so back to Muay Thai when finished...

Nothingcompares

Well done Hammerhead, any photographic/video evidence to support your claim?

Roper

Good man Dave.:D

HammerHeadGym

Nothingcompares wrote:

Well done Hammerhead, any photographic/video evidence to support your claim?

Yep. Devore will be sticking them up on youtube. Pics will be here in a day or two.

Thanks Barry.

Nothingcompares

coolaboola just read your blog all sounds very interesting.

Killme00

Hammerhead,

Enjoyed reading your blog, congrats on the fight..out of interest how old are you and how long do you plan on spening over in thailand

HammerHeadGym

Hey Killme,
I'm 29 and a half. Been Thai boxing for about nine or ten months before I came out, and I'll be here until new years eve.


Pictures tomorrow, for those who care

johnnysmurfman

Well done man. The blog is cool and really funny, I love reading it. Good luck.