Tyler Kerr Wins Pro Fight In Thailand
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Tyler Kerr has described his first professional Muay Thai win as a “special moment” after defeating his more experienced opponent on points in a televised contest at the JF Boxing Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand.
Kerr has spent the past two months training in Thailand and Vietnam, honing his craft at local gyms such as the FA Group Gym in Bangkok and the Petchrungruang Gym in Pattaya.
The Bermudian said his opponent provided a stern test but believes he won the battle of the wits during the three-round fight.
“He was a heavy puncher and tried to take my head off!” Kerr told Bernews.
“Thankfully, I’ve been working on keeping a tight guard. If he’d caught me, it might have been night-night.
“I got an early read on him and made a few adjustments. Rather than play his game, I wanted him to play mine.
“When he came in with heavy boxing, I’d guard up before firing back. If he threw one or two shots, I’d throw three or four. That pretty much won me the fight.”
The 28-year-old, who took the opportunity to head to Southeast Asia after being placed on gardening leave from his job as an underwriter, said he used leg kicks as a strategic tool to destabilise his Thai opponent.
“He was an inch or two shorter than me, so I had a height advantage, although he was stockier and more built,” the lightweight said.
“I stayed composed, kept things simple, and didn’t do anything fancy.
“My shines are a bit beaten up, but he was limping around by the end of the fight from my leg kicks.”
Kerr heads on a training trip to Malaysia next week but hopes for a few more fights in Thailand before heading to Des Moines, Iowa, for the TBA Muay Thai Expo World Championships in June.
“It was a special moment to win my first pro fight,” said Kerr, who trains at Fight City Muay Thai and Fitness locally. I hope to experience a few more fights before I head home.”
Chuck Morgan, the head coach at Fight City Muay Thai and Fitness, wrote on Facebook: “This kid has been through the ups and downs and just kept pushing.
“Representing Bermuda and flying the flag out there in Thailand. Simply epic. And he fought with composure and class.”
