Richelieu
21-07-2013, 20:30
“John” Wayne Parr is a combat sport legend. Whether it be boxing, kick boxing or Muay Thai, Parr is a respected and highly decorated veteran. A ten time world champion, Parr has pioneered the idea of Caged Muay Thai fighting, something that will surely draw a new audience to the sport. Incorporating the MMA-style cage rather than the traditional ring, and also using MMA style open finger gloves, caged Muay Thai is something that could be the next big thing in combat sports.
Parr began martial arts in the form of Taekwondo at the young age of 11. He has since competed in WELL over 100 professional fights. Parr has won 10 world titles across multiple disciplines and is known across the world, mainly thanks to his stint on the Contender: Asia and his successful record. Having successfully returned from what proved to be a premature retirement, Parr now splits his attention between fighting and promoting, even doing both on the same night as he did at Caged Muay Thai 3. Parr now also runs his own gym, the Boonchu Gym on the Gold Coast. Parr took time out of his busy schedule to talk to us about his innovation of Cage Muay Thai, his biggest fights, retirement and his impressive title haul:
http://monstasport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/JWP4.jpg
Monstasport: How did the development of Cage Muay Thai come about? Is that something you had thought about for a while?
John Wayne Parr: I have had a fascination with the cage for a long time and was thinking of having a MMA fight just to get a taste. My first MMA class we were learning locks and escapes for first 30 min, then we were told it was time to start rolling. 30 seconds in I put my hand wrong trying to change position and broke my finger. Lying in bed a week later I was thinking I didn’t want to do MMA, but I still wanted to fight in the cage. I was thinking we do promotions already, instead of hiring a ring, will hire a cage, and since I was going that far may as well use MMA gloves. Most exciting thing I have ever done in combat sports.
Monstasport: You’ve fought around the world, winning multiple World Championships in multiple disciplines. Are there any fights that stand out as highlights, or favourites per-say?
John Wayne Parr: Highlights would of been fighting Lumpinee/Rajadumdern stadium and kings Birthdays. It was always a dream to make my name in Thailand and walk in the footsteps of Ramon Dekkers. Another highlight was fighting for K-1 Max fighting on the world stage being famous around the world with everyone watching.
Monstasport: You competed on the Contender Asia, finishing runner up. How was the experience?
John Wayne Parr: That was such a fun show to be involved with. Met some great fighters and also got to see how television works behind the scenes. I still have people coming up saying they remember me from the show so it really helped cement my legacy in the sport.
http://monstasport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/JWP3.jpg
Monstasport: In 2012 you had a retirement fight. You made a return in early 2013. What lead to your return? Did you find extra motivation or just miss competing?
John Wayne Parr: I missed the excitement of competing in front of a live crowds and the rush of knocking people out. My last fight was on my CMT event and it was the best fun I ever had, after tasting the cage it was hard to walk away. Retiring was also a wake up call that no fights meant I was just holding pads and all the glory was gone. Even though I have just turned 37 I still feel I have plenty of fights left in me. I can still push myself hard in the gym and still holding my own in sparring. Most important part is I also missed the money of fighting.
Monstasport: You were into martial arts from a very young age. How important was the discipline in martial arts in your life? Would you recommend parents of children who are interested to pursue it early?
John Wayne Parr: When I was growing up I went to 11 different schools always changing states and being the new kid. Martial arts was a way for me to stay sane. I kept believing one day I was going to be a world champion and wouldn’t let anything distract me. I definitely believe having kids in martial arts is a positive thing to get kids into. Gives them a challenge to keep fit, eat healthy, but also teaches respect for elders.
Monstasport: After training in Thailand, how important is Muay Thai in the culture?
John Wayne Parr: I was lucky to live in Thailand in the golden era when so many fighters were superstars. It’s a different scene in Thailand now, a lot of the camps have westerners train there now to help pay the bills. Most of the Thai stars have retired and the westerners are winning more. It’s a shame Muay Thai is not the same as it was in the 90′s because that really was a special time.
http://monstasport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/JWP2.jpg
Monstasport: Seeing the photos of you with all the titles you’ve won over your career, you must have one hell of a pool room?
John Wayne Parr: Ha ha yes, I look at those pictures and can’t believe how lucky I have been winning so many titles. I keep them in the gym on display for everyone to see. Train so hard to win the titles with blood, sweat and tears, after you win the belt it goes on the shelf, then before you know it it’s covered in dust and cobwebs.
Monstasport: Any advice for anyone looking to get into martial arts? Are there any gyms you would recommend for kick boxing or Muay Thai? They unfortunately don’t seem to get the media attention of professional boxing and MMA.
John Wayne Parr: If you’re interested in martial arts go for it. Hardest part is stepping into the gym, after that its easy, you get to make friends and challenge yourself. Gyms I can recommend is Boonchu in Australia ha ha. If you’re in Thailand Sitmonchai with Pornsanae or 13 Coins with Saenchai.
Speaking to Parr, we discovered why some known him as the nicest man in combat sports. Be sure to follow Parr on twitter @johnwayneparr for his views on martial art, and his hilarious sense of humour. Reading his time line you’d never guess that this is a man who elbows and knees people in the face whilst at work, and has spared with and gotten the better of a striking battle with UFC king pin Georges St. Pierre!
Bron: Montasport (http://monstasport.com/?p=740)
Parr began martial arts in the form of Taekwondo at the young age of 11. He has since competed in WELL over 100 professional fights. Parr has won 10 world titles across multiple disciplines and is known across the world, mainly thanks to his stint on the Contender: Asia and his successful record. Having successfully returned from what proved to be a premature retirement, Parr now splits his attention between fighting and promoting, even doing both on the same night as he did at Caged Muay Thai 3. Parr now also runs his own gym, the Boonchu Gym on the Gold Coast. Parr took time out of his busy schedule to talk to us about his innovation of Cage Muay Thai, his biggest fights, retirement and his impressive title haul:
http://monstasport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/JWP4.jpg
Monstasport: How did the development of Cage Muay Thai come about? Is that something you had thought about for a while?
John Wayne Parr: I have had a fascination with the cage for a long time and was thinking of having a MMA fight just to get a taste. My first MMA class we were learning locks and escapes for first 30 min, then we were told it was time to start rolling. 30 seconds in I put my hand wrong trying to change position and broke my finger. Lying in bed a week later I was thinking I didn’t want to do MMA, but I still wanted to fight in the cage. I was thinking we do promotions already, instead of hiring a ring, will hire a cage, and since I was going that far may as well use MMA gloves. Most exciting thing I have ever done in combat sports.
Monstasport: You’ve fought around the world, winning multiple World Championships in multiple disciplines. Are there any fights that stand out as highlights, or favourites per-say?
John Wayne Parr: Highlights would of been fighting Lumpinee/Rajadumdern stadium and kings Birthdays. It was always a dream to make my name in Thailand and walk in the footsteps of Ramon Dekkers. Another highlight was fighting for K-1 Max fighting on the world stage being famous around the world with everyone watching.
Monstasport: You competed on the Contender Asia, finishing runner up. How was the experience?
John Wayne Parr: That was such a fun show to be involved with. Met some great fighters and also got to see how television works behind the scenes. I still have people coming up saying they remember me from the show so it really helped cement my legacy in the sport.
http://monstasport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/JWP3.jpg
Monstasport: In 2012 you had a retirement fight. You made a return in early 2013. What lead to your return? Did you find extra motivation or just miss competing?
John Wayne Parr: I missed the excitement of competing in front of a live crowds and the rush of knocking people out. My last fight was on my CMT event and it was the best fun I ever had, after tasting the cage it was hard to walk away. Retiring was also a wake up call that no fights meant I was just holding pads and all the glory was gone. Even though I have just turned 37 I still feel I have plenty of fights left in me. I can still push myself hard in the gym and still holding my own in sparring. Most important part is I also missed the money of fighting.
Monstasport: You were into martial arts from a very young age. How important was the discipline in martial arts in your life? Would you recommend parents of children who are interested to pursue it early?
John Wayne Parr: When I was growing up I went to 11 different schools always changing states and being the new kid. Martial arts was a way for me to stay sane. I kept believing one day I was going to be a world champion and wouldn’t let anything distract me. I definitely believe having kids in martial arts is a positive thing to get kids into. Gives them a challenge to keep fit, eat healthy, but also teaches respect for elders.
Monstasport: After training in Thailand, how important is Muay Thai in the culture?
John Wayne Parr: I was lucky to live in Thailand in the golden era when so many fighters were superstars. It’s a different scene in Thailand now, a lot of the camps have westerners train there now to help pay the bills. Most of the Thai stars have retired and the westerners are winning more. It’s a shame Muay Thai is not the same as it was in the 90′s because that really was a special time.
http://monstasport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/JWP2.jpg
Monstasport: Seeing the photos of you with all the titles you’ve won over your career, you must have one hell of a pool room?
John Wayne Parr: Ha ha yes, I look at those pictures and can’t believe how lucky I have been winning so many titles. I keep them in the gym on display for everyone to see. Train so hard to win the titles with blood, sweat and tears, after you win the belt it goes on the shelf, then before you know it it’s covered in dust and cobwebs.
Monstasport: Any advice for anyone looking to get into martial arts? Are there any gyms you would recommend for kick boxing or Muay Thai? They unfortunately don’t seem to get the media attention of professional boxing and MMA.
John Wayne Parr: If you’re interested in martial arts go for it. Hardest part is stepping into the gym, after that its easy, you get to make friends and challenge yourself. Gyms I can recommend is Boonchu in Australia ha ha. If you’re in Thailand Sitmonchai with Pornsanae or 13 Coins with Saenchai.
Speaking to Parr, we discovered why some known him as the nicest man in combat sports. Be sure to follow Parr on twitter @johnwayneparr for his views on martial art, and his hilarious sense of humour. Reading his time line you’d never guess that this is a man who elbows and knees people in the face whilst at work, and has spared with and gotten the better of a striking battle with UFC king pin Georges St. Pierre!
Bron: Montasport (http://monstasport.com/?p=740)