The Tiger takes the title

Months of training paid off for Nathi ‘The Tiger’ Ximba when he defeated Rene Blazechovsky in his World Feather Weight Muay-Thai World Championship bout in Vienna, Austria on 5 October.

According to Nathi’s coach, Mark Hey, Nathi exhibited great talent and endurance during this prestigious fight.

“Rene, who is the current European Mauy-Thai Champion, is a great fighter and Nathi had to be very careful in the opening rounds of the fight to ensure a victory,” says Mark.

The fight was scheduled for five, three minute rounds and in the first two rounds both Nathi and Rene took the time to size their opponent up and get a feel for the other fighter. However, in round three, Nathi and Rene started to land great combinations and attacked each other with great determination to clinch a victory.

“In the first two rounds I was down on the score cards but in the last seconds of round three I connected a great straight right punch, sending Rene to the canvass for the first time in the fight,” says Nathi.

With the beginning of round four, Nathi came out guns blazing and knocked Rene down multiple times. The last of which occurred just before the bell, saving Rene for the fifth and final round.

“When I knocked Rene down at the end of round four, I knew that this victory is in the pocket. I was relaxed and still had great stamina to repeat this approach in round five,” says Nathi.

During Round five Nathi sent Rene down again, but with the heart of a true fighter, Rene once again got up.

Shortly thereafter Nathi sent him to the canvass once again, only this time standing up was not an option for Rene and he was out for the count.

With Rene on the canvass for good, Nathi was announced the new Feather Weight World Mauy-Thai Champion and returned to Randfontein shortly thereafter.

“I want to thank my coach, Mark Hey, for pushing me during training, it really paid off. As well as to Fitstop Gymnasium where all my training was done,” says Nathi.