CHADD COLLINS (AUSTRALIA)
INTERVIEW OF CHADD COLLINS
By Serge TREFEU (2019)
Serge TREFEU: Hello Chadd how are you?
CHADD COLLINS: I’m very good thank you, I’m currently on my last week of fight camp so feeling great and excited
You were born and grew up in Australia in which city?
I was born in Queensland, I grew up mainly on the Gold Coast
How old are you ?
I’m 23 years old, turning 24 in June this year
Did you discover boxing with your father who is a coach and who owns a boxing gym?
Yes, always grew up in Thai boxing gyms as my father owned multiple gyms over the years
Your father was a boxer before? He practiced which boxing, the Muay Thai?
Yes, my father was a boxer. He had 39 professional boxing fights with 36 wins and had kickboxing fights and progressed to Thai Boxing once evolved in Australia
Do you have brothers and sisters who practice boxing too?
Yes, I do! My eldest brother had two Thai boxing fights and is now one of my mentors and also my little sister who has had three Thai boxing fights
At what age did you make your first fight?
I had my first fight at 11 years of age, this was also my first victory for a shower of money. A memory I’ll never forget
Were you a brawler when you were a kid?
Yes, I was a straight up brawler. That was all I knew. I would walk forward as soon as the bell goes and would never take a backwards step
The Muay Thai is well known in Australia, there have been many great Australian champions of Muay Thai, are there any Australian champions who inspired you at the beginning of your career?
Yes, of course. I have been inspired by John Wayne Parr and also Toby Smith as I got older
Are there many Muay Thai events in Australia?
Yes, there are a lot of events regularly around Australia but I still feel as if the sport is struggling to grow…
How many fights did you have in Australia?
I think out of my whole career, I’ve had about 30 fights all up in Australia
What year were you first in Thailand?
In 2012, I was 16 and went to Phuket, Thailand for a month and had my first elbow fight at Bangla Stadium
In which gym did you train? How did your first training in Thailand?
I trained at Dragon Muay Thai in Chalong, Phuket. I remember after every session, feeling my body so exhausted and wanting to sleep and then train again and never felt like this before. I never trained twice a day before
Today you are in which gym? What are your sparring-partners?
Today, I’m with Sitsongpeenong Muay Thai gym in Phuket and I have multiple talented sparring partners all with different and dangerous styles to work with. Before I was at Sangtiennoi legend gym
You work your physical condition a lot, what kind of exercise do you do to get a tireless physical condition in the ring?
We do a lot cardio and I mean A LOT of cardio. Padwork seems to go on forever, strength and conditioning three times a week. We do flat sprints, stair sprints, tyre sprints and of course, the morning ten kilometre run
How much did you fight in Thailand?
I’m not 100% sure but I think I’ve had around 22 fights overall in Thailand
How many fights in the stadiums of Radja and Lumpinee?
22 of those fights, I had one in Lumpinee and five at Rajadamnern and maybe six next month
What do you think about Thai fighters?
I think they’re all different but very talented
Who are you the best fighters in your category today?
I would probably say Rafi Bohic, he’s had 3 of the most prestigious belts that I want and that says a lot about him as a fighter
So far, how much did you fight, how many wins and losses? Draw ?
I’ve had 63 fights, 47 wins, 14 losses and 2 draws
How many wins did you win by knockout?
24 by the way of knock out
What are the titles you have won?
I don’t have any at the moment, I’m still currently waiting on an opportunity to open
Currently you fighting in which category?
65-67 kilograms
What techniques do you like to do in the ring?
Mainly elbows and punch
You are famous in Thailand for being a «Muay Bouk» (Fighter which does not move back and durable boxer), you like fighting with violent exchanges, less technical but more in the confrontation style “to you” “to me”?
Yes, I like to stand there and exchange leather and I enjoy it when people like to stand there and bang, it’s fun and exciting. The rush and feeling is something I can’t describe
Who gave you the nickname of fighter “Chalam Khao” (The white shark)?
Sangtiennoi “The Deadly Kisser” gave me the name because of a photo of me spearfishing and there’s a shark in the water behind me
On December 23, 2016, at the Muay Xtrem, you beat the star Pakorn, a big performance from you, can you go back on this fight against this great champion?
This fight meant either break it or make up, and in the end it came down to who wanted it more in round three and I pushed forward and defeated him over three solid rounds in a back and forth battle
In July 2017, you met the legendary Saenchai in southern Thailand, you can tell us about this great fight against Saenchai? (Defeated by points) What do you think of Saenchai?
I think Saenchai is a very experienced fighter and a very nice guy. The fight itself with Saenchai was an amazing experience being able to fight in infront of 50,000 people and against such a legend. Would love another shot if possible
In August 2017, at the Radja Stadium, you defeated the terror Seksan, a powerful Muay Bouk, what do you think of this fighter and your fight against him?
This is my most memorable fight to this day as was my first fight at Radja stadium against the king of the stadium. To this day, seksan and I are good friends and a favourite fighter of mine
SEKSAN AND CHADD COLLINS, TWO GREAT RINGS WARRIORS
In September 2017, at Radja Stadium, you did very well by knocking down the title holder of Radja in 147 lbs, Sakmongkol, an opponent you beat again by KO, a year later, what do you think of this fighter and your fighting against him?
I personally don’t think he can handle being bullied in the ring. If you fight him at range, you would lose you need to be the bully to win against him. You need to be a bully against the Muay Thai greats
CHADD COLLINS BEAT TWICE BY KO THE RADJA CHAMPION SAKMONGKOL SOR SOMMAI
You’re in the ranking of Radja Stadium, there are not many foreign fighters in the Bangkok big stadium ranking, do you ever want to have the opportunity to fight for a belt of big stadium of Bangkok?
I had the opportunity to fight for the Lumpinee belt, December 26 2017 but unfortunately I got a blood infection and was forced to fly back home and get treated immediately. There is one reason I moved back to Thailand after my break, and that is to fight for one of the two stadium belts but sadly to politics in this sport, it will not happen
In your category, in Thailand, there is a foreigner, a Frenchman, Rafi Singpatong, who holds the title of the Lumpinee Stadium, you were supposed to meet him, but the fight was cancelled, will this fight ever happen? And what do you think of Rafi Singpatong?
I believe Rafi is a very strong fighter and I would love for this fight to happen and also a friend of mine
THE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN «THE IMPASSIBLE CRUSHER» AND «THE WHITE SHARK» WAS TO TAKE PLACE ON 26 DECEMBER 2017 AT THE LUMPINEE STADIUM. CANCELLED MATCH. A CLASH THAT ALL MUAY THAI FANS WOULD LIKE TO SEE
Is there a particular opponent you’d like to fight?
Yes, that would be Manachai for a WBC title, Rafi for a Lumpinee title and Tawananchai for the Thailand or Omnoi belt
You’ve been living in Thailand for several years, are you able to live well with the purses of your fights or do you have another financial activity too?
I would not be able to live in Thailand without my good friend and long term sponsor, Steve Hull from QEST Environments. This guy has mentored and believed in me since I first came to Thailand
Are you interested in Thai culture?
I’m drawn to the culture and I will respect while I’m here but it’s not my culture, I’m open to everything
What do you like most about Thailand after Muay Thai?
Thai boxing is the one thing that has introduced me to this beautiful country and brought me to live here, this is the only thing I know and also the cheap massages
You came to fight the first time in France on December 1, 2018, at the Credissimmo Golden Fight event, you met French champion Azize Hlali against whom you did a draw, what do you think of your performance and your opponent?
Overall I feel like my performance was not up to standard but was happy I didn’t lose. Azize is a top guy, I have nothing to say about him
Would you like to come back to fight in a boxing event in France?
Yes, I would love nothing more but to come back to France. I was treated very well and respected on my trip there. Miss having a fresh baguette every morning with my girlfriend (Laugh)
You know French champions now and the old generation?
Yes I know of Jean-Charles Skarbowsky and Damien Alamos and modern champions like Rafi Bohic and Jimmy Vienot
CHADD COLLINS CAME TO THE FAMOUS «SKARBOWSKY GYM» IN PARIS, THE GYM OF THE FORMER STAR OF THE RINGS JEAN-CHARLES SKARBOWSKY
What do you think of French fighters?
French have always been one of the most strongest Thai boxing countries in the world ,without a doubt
What is your best boxing memory so far?
I’d say beating Seksan at Rajadamnern Stadium!
And the worst ?
Would be training, because it’s so hard and treacherous. You have to dig so deep just to get through each and every session. It starts to feel like Groundhog Day until I got to start cutting weight and then fight day
Your hardest fight in your career?
I had just moved to Bangkok Thailand at Sangtiennoi’s gym in 2016, six days into training and was asked to be a replacement fighter on Max Muay Thai and I have never been so sore and also so unfit and came away with my first draw of my career
What are your plans for 2019?
Belts, belts and more belts because I have none and also maybe a contract… If it’s nice
Your next fight?
My next fight is against Fukashi on Knockout in Tokyo, Japan
Do you want to add something?
Thank you for this interview and most of all thank you to my sponsor Steve Hull again. There are so many more people and things I could talk about but I would go on for days. Those people know who they are
Thank you very much for this interview and Chookdee for your fight!
Thank so much
Chadd Collins nicknamed Chalam Khao (The White Shark) is a 23-year-old Australian boy based in Thailand who is now fighting in Bangkok’s biggest stadiums. He’s ranked N°5 at the Bangkok Radja Stadium.
This phenomenon has already beaten big Thai stars such as Seksan Sor Sommai (TV7 Champion, Radja champion) and Pakorn PK Saenchai (Lumpinee Champion, Radja champion, World champion WMC). Chadd Collins trained at the gym of the legendary Sangtiennoi Sor Runroj, he’s now in the famous Sitsongpeenong gym of Phuket.
“WHITE SHARK” TRAINING AT SITSONGPEENONG GYM OF PHUKET
His aggressive and durable boxer style is very popular with Thai Muay Thai fans. This young warrior’s ambition is to conquer a belt of the Radja or the Lumpinee, and for the moment nothing seems to stop his goal.
THE « WHITE SHARK» IN FRONT OF THE RADJA STADIUM. THE BELT OF THIS MYTHICAL BANGKOK STADIUM IS IN HIS THOUGHTS
In February 2017, he defeated Thai Lampard Sor Jor Piekuthai with a superb uppercut. On July 15, in southern Thailand at Yala at the Thai Fight show, in front of 50,000 people, he faced the legend Saenchai in an epic fight with an honourable defeat at points.
CHADD COLLINS WITH THE LEGEND OF RINGS SAENCHAI
A MATCH WHICH HAS TAKEN PLACE IN THE THAI FIGHT ORGANIZATION IN FRONT OF 50 000 SPECTATORS
CHADD COLLINS AGAINST SAENCHAI PK SAENCHAI GYM
In April, in Koh Samui, at the Thai Fight, he lost in points against the champion Manasak Sor Jor Lekmuangnon.
In August, at the stadium of Radja, he defeated the Thai terror Seksan Sor Sommai.
CHADD COLLINS AGAINST SEKSAN SOR SOMMAI
On September 11, 2017, at the Radja Stadium, the white shark knocked the titleholder of Radja, Sakmongkol Sor sommai (Radja’s current champion in 147 lbs), in the third round with a sharp poke. On August 23, 2018, at the Radja stadium, during the show Best Of Siam, the Australian fought again Sakmongkol. Chadd Collins knocked out the Thai champion again in the third round with a terrible series of fists.
CHADD COLLINS AGAINST SAKMONGKOL SOR SOMMAI
On September 27, 2018 in the stadium of Radja, he faced the current champion of the stadium of Omnoi in 147 lbs, the solid Ponaik Or Kwanmuang, against which he lost in points.
In October, at the Top King World Series, he defeated the formidable Pongsiree PK Saenchai (Lumpinee Champion).
CHADD COLLINS AGAINST PONGSIREE PK SAENCHAI
Chadd Collins made his last fight in France. At Credissimmo Golden Fight show, on December 1st, the jaw of the white shark hurt. The Muay Bouk Chadd Collins made a big fight against the rings magician Azize Hlali. The fight is ended in a draw!
CHADD COLLINS AGAINST AZIZE HLALI
On February 11, 2019, in Tokyo, in the big organization Knock Out, Chadd Collins will face the dangerous Japanese champion Fukashi “Wonderbird” Mizutani who is the title holder Knock Out!
CHADD COLLINS IN THE FAMOUS NEWSPAPER MUAY SIAM
CHADD COLLINS WITH YOUSSEF BOUGHANEM, THE ONLY FOREIGN CHAMPION IN THE WORLD THAT WON THREE BELTS OF THE STADIUMS OF BANGKOK, LUMPINEE, RADJA AND OMNOI
AFTER BOXING, THE OTHER PASSION OF CHAMPION CHADD COLLINS IS THE BIG-GAME FISHING
CHADD COLLINS
Birth date : 9 June 1995 (23)
Weight: 65 Kg
Height: 179 cm
Number of fights: 63. 47 Wins (24 KO). 14 Losses. 2 Draws
Title: Australian Champion WKN
Team: Sitsongpeenong Phuket, QEST Environments