Brian Ncube living the fight life in Thailand
Brian Ncube celebrates one of his victories in Thailand.
Image: supplied
Barely a month after touching down in Thailand, Brian Ncube is already sounding like a man fully immersed in the fight life, even if he admits nothing quite replaces South African meat.
When Tabletalk last caught up with the Parklands' Muay Thai fighter, he was chasing opportunities abroad. Now, he is living them.
Ncube has turned professional and will spend the next six months in Thailand, training and fighting in the sport’s spiritual home.
“I just want to get as much experience as possible and keep chasing my dream in the fight scene,” Ncube said.
The 22-year-old fighter has stadium champion and ONE championship among his goals as a fighter.
That life is relentless. Training runs from 8am to 10am, with roadwork in between, before another session from 4pm to 6pm. In short, eat, sleep, train, repeat.
“It’s high-level training and more frequent here,” he said. “It’s a different lifestyle, a simple lifestyle but this is where you grow.”
Ncube going through the traditional Thai ritual before his fight.
Image: supplied
Before returning to Thailand, Ncube had a stint in Cambodia, where he faced seasoned campaigners, fighters with more than 100 bouts to their names.
“I fought big names, big superstars and I made good impressions,” he said.
He is now eyeing the Rajadamnern World Series, a competition boasting one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.
Importantly, he is not alone in foreign lands. Fellow gym partner from back home, Shane Deacon is with him in Thailand, while another striking phenom, Timothy Steenkamp is making waves in Cambodia.
“In South Africa we have lots of talent, but it’s opportunities that are lacking. It would be nice to have more people pushing the sport in SA so we don’t always have to travel to Thailand to get high-level fights.”
Asked about having to leave home while chasing greatness, he says home will always be home but there is work to be done.
“You definitely adjust here, but home will always be missed.”
“Luckily the food is good here but nothing beats South African meat,” he said jokingly.
For now though, Ncube’s appetite is fixed on something bigger, experience, exposure and the kind of victories that may turn his ambition into reality.