MTA: Mardsua, you recently won “The Challenger Muaythai”, how would you rate your experience on the show?
Mardsua: Challenger Muaythai was a dream come true for me. I was part of the Contender Asia coaching team as sparring partner for the boys and I was on my way up. After Contender Asia, I fought some of the boys and beat some of them, including the runner up John Wayne Parr, I won the 2009 King's Cup in Thailand… and so I earned my spot to be one of the 16 challengers. There was no way I would only go back as a trainer I wanted to fight this time.
MTA: You were consistently followed by cameras was that a little difficult to get used to?
Mardsua: The cameras at first certainly was scary, but the Vice President of the WMC Stephan Fox and the production people made sure there was enough time for all the fighters to keep in peak condition, we trained everyday and made us forget the cameras, there was enough resting time to recover between filming and training., the cameras did not worry me as I was focused on one thing only… to be the champion and win that belt.
MTA: You defeated Jordan Watson in the finals, when that fight went to the judges were you fairly confident you were going to win?
Mardsua: Jordan Watson is a great fighter. He is a great friend one of my best friend's in the house, and he is with one of the most skillful and powerful fighters in the world. In the first rounds he was the most superior of all but seeing him fight 3 times and seeing him train every day gave me the chance to watch him. I have the highest respect for him. It was a great fight. The first round gave me time to feel him out and from the second round onwards we had a fight. I’m looking forward to fighting him again, and I’m sure that he wants a rematch as soon as possible.
MTA: Out of the 4 fights you had as part of the show, which do you feel was the most difficult for you and why?
Mardsua: Every fight is so different. Rhyse is young the Ozzie has the heart of a lion and he will be a serious threat to all of us in the future. Colossa I always knew would be a difficult fight, he’s strong, experienced and I was a little sad to send him home as he is such a great person in and out of the ring. Antoine I knew would be a very easy fight for me I beat him before, he was lucky to be there after his first two fights. After beating Colossa, I knew I would be in the final for sure.
MTA: Was there anyone who was part of the show that you would have liked to fight that you didn't have the opportunity to fight?
Mardsua: It doesn’t matter, a fight is a fight, and if you want to be a champion you have to fight anyone along the road. I’m happy I didn’t have to fight Faisal as he is a true friend and we trained together, but it is Muaythai, we only fight each other in the ring… outside we are friends. I’m happy with the 3 fights I had to make it to the final.
MTA: What do you have planned next as far as fights go?
Mardsua: I will have a little break this year and then my goal is to win the WMC world title as this is the most respected belt in the world. I hope that in 2012 that belt will be mine. Winning Challenger made me the proudest person. I did it for my family, friends and gym. The entire Kingdom of Thailand and with the money, I can help my father to get better. I will keep my training as it is. I train with no doubt in one of the best Muaythai gyms in the world, the Lamai Muay Thai Camp, Koh Samui. The conditions are great with runs on the beach and so many good international fighters who I train with and every training session is a challenger in itself, and the coaches are just outstanding, including my self ... lol. The team spirit in the Camp is the best!
MTA: Being crowned “The Challenger Muaythai” champion is pretty big; you defeated a very strong field of fighters to win. Is there anyone out there you would like to fight in particular and why?
Mardsua: In Challenger Muaythai we had the strongest fighter's in the world for that weight class, but there are many other good fighters now around, and I will defend my Challenger belt against 15 new Challengers in the next season on Korea. They will come and hunt me and it will not be an easy task to defend this belt as they will be determined and fearless so I cannot wait for the next season of Challenger to start.
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