REPORT BY: JAMES BOVINGTON

JOE Royston of Aireborough Thai Boxing Club is eagerly anticipating a second competitive bout of his career, but this time the stakes will be higher.

It will be the talented fighter’s first major show, as he competes on a card organised by Victory Promotions on Saturday 4 November at the Newcastle Vertu Motors Arena.

Looking ahead to the bout, Royston said: “This is massive for me, it’s a huge show and a real opportunity to prove just exactly what I can do in front of literally hundreds of people.”

He added: “I started Thai boxing when I was eighteen to improve my self-confidence and acquire some self-defence skills. I’ve since stepped up the training within the last year and seen major improvements. Thai boxing is an amazing sport and what’s most enjoyable is reaping the rewards for effort made. The highlight was winning my first match.”

Royston was quick to extol the benefits of his sport when he said: “Thai boxing brings physical and health benefits such as fitness and strength however the mental benefits are just as powerful. Being in the gym helps build confidence and improve social skills. Walking into the Aireborough gym for the first time was the best thing I ever did. From helping to rebuild my confidence when I first started to just recently keeping me focused on my training routine when my mother passed away recently.

“All the support from my Thai boxing family where I now have my closest friends is what got me through the recent loss of my mother, as did focusing on the routing and discipline of the training. I am proud of where I am now.”

Head coach Alan Burley commented: “Joe is committed and dedicated as well as tough and talented and deserves his place on the Newcastle show. That said, I’m always reminding him that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Joe is deeply involved in the gym contributing to its family feel where everyone is part of our team. He’s keen to assist the junior for example on pad work or improving technique. Joe’s an excellent role model for them.”

Twenty-two-year-old Royston lives with his partner in Guiseley and attended Guiseley School. He currently works full time as a landscaper with training taking up all his spare time. The Newcastle event is his second competitive bout before he heads to Thailand for further competition early in 2024.

He said: “My goals in the sport are to push myself as far as I can, whilst getting as much as experience as possible, with winning a national title my current goal.”