Bell & Kerr To Compete At Muay Thai Festival
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermudian Muay Thai fighters Ashton Bell and Tyler Kerr will head to the home of the ancient combat sport to compete at the Thailand Cup next month.
They received an invite from the WBC Muaythai to fight at the inaugural Amazing Muay Thai Festival in Hua Hin – about 124 miles southwest of the country’s capital Bangkok – which runs from February 2 to 6.
The pair, who train at Fight City Muay Thai and Fitness, will compete in the B Division – the highest level of amateur competition – Bell as a middleweight and Kerr as a super lightweight.
Chuck Morgan, the head coach at Fight City Muay Thai and Fitness, said the festival offers an opportunity for Bell and Kerr to immerse themselves in Muay Thai and its unique place in Thailand’s culture.
“This is one of the most exciting developments for Muay Thai in Bermuda,” said Morgan, chairman of the WBC Muaythai Bermuda.
“Ashton and Tyler have competed for two years [in North America], and it will be an amazing experience for them to compete in Thailand.
“It will be great for them to learn about the culture, the fighter’s way of life in Thailand and the religious aspect which flows through Muay Thai.
“It’s a great opportunity, and they both jumped at it. It’s a self-funded trip, but the benefits far outweigh the cost.”
Morgan believes the tournament will be the biggest challenge Bell, who boasts a record of eight wins and two defeats, and Kerr, who has won five of his ten outings, have faced.
“Only the top fighters in each country will compete at the festival,” Morgan said. “Tyler looks sharper than he’s ever looked, and Ashton is training unbelievably hard. They are both dedicated and fully focused on this tournament. It’s a special one.”
Morgan will also have a chance to enhance his knowledge and expertise at the festival, where he will look to earn his WBC Level 1 coaching and Level 2 refereeing certificates.
