Hawkesbury trio ready for Canberra fight night

Among them is 24-year-old Zara Doering, who is lining up for her first Thai Boxing fight alongside her slightly more experienced peers Ciaran Mooney, 30 and Brad McKelvin, 18.

Mooney and McKelvin both have fights under their belt, but are conscious that experience alone won’t assure them a win when they take to the ring on Saturday.

Mooney, who has had two boxing fights resulting in a win and a draw, will take on his first kick boxing bout this weekend, while McKelvin, a boxer, hopes to take his tally to two wins and two losses.

The three fighters train at No Limits Gym in Richmond under the watchful eye of experienced coach, Jason Naylor who has full confidence in the trio heading into this weekend’s event.

Naylor said while preparation could always be better, he wouldn’t send them into the ring without knowing they could come out victorious.

“Brad is a very relaxed, easy going guy, but can let the nerves and pressure get to him,” Naylor said. “He’s coming off the back of a loss so he’ll have to control the nerves this weekend, but I expect him to go well.

“Ciaran is an aggressor but is fighting a guy five inches taller than him so he’ll have to overcome that reach.”

Naylor also praised Doering’s commitment and dedication to her preparation for the event, and expects her to do well come show time.

The trio have put in at least eight hours of training a week for the past two months leading up to their fights, but Mooney says coming down in weight has made the challenge even greater this time round.

“Personally I have put a lot into this fight,” Mooney said.

“I weigh in at 85kg for this fight, I was 94kg when I started out. 

“I have been up jogging at 5am every day and eating a strict diet.

“I take my hat off to anyone that has done it, it’s tough on the mood swings and emotions,” he laughed.

The MFC18 Fight Night main event on Saturday will be the final of the Super Lightweight 4 Man Eliminator that will feature Benny Thompson, Michael ‘Pico’ Englert, Trent Girdo, and Clarke Crawley.

The event takes place at the Harmonie German Club in Canberra and fights kick off from 7pm.

Up for the challenge

WITH the rise of female athletes like Ronda Rousey, comes a new wave of females taking on combat sports across the world.

Riding that wave is the Hawkesbury’s very own Zara Doering, 24, from Wilberforce, who takes the ring for her first Thai Boxing bout in Canberra this Saturday.

Doering, a former body builder, first began training for kick boxing three years ago.

Her success in body building soon took the focus however, taking a break from kick boxing to focus on her fitness modelling and figure sculpting competitions.

Doering said she fell ill soon after two seasons of body building and returned to kick boxing to regain a positive focus.

“I am the kind of person who always needs a goal, so fighting was my next goal,” Doering said.

“I enjoy learning the technique, it keeps me fit and it’s also a bit of fun,” she said.

Doering’s trainer at No Limits Gym in Richmond, Jason Naylor, said he admired her dedication to the sport and preparation for her coming fight.

“Zee is in every morning doing weights and always gives 100 per cent,” Naylor said. “She has drive and commitment. As a trainer you can always work on technique, but you can’t improve drive.”

Both Naylor and Doering believe UFC champion Ronda Rousey has paved the way for females in the sport, and encourage more women who may be interested to get involved.

“She (Ronda Rousey) has changed the sport for women, particularly in mixed martial arts,” Doering said.

“More women want to try out something like this. A lot of people don’t like getting hit, but some of us don’t mind.

‘‘It’s not all about aggression, it’s about technique and getting out there and seeing how you compare against opponents.”

When asked what advice she would give a woman thinking about taking up a combat sport, Doering said “go for it, do not be afraid.”