Terence’s Box

Newest updates on Zig Zach's latest fight at Planet Battle in Hong Kong! Finally got the busy man to sit his butt down in one place and talk for a while! Enjoy!

1. You've just come back from Hong Kong! Who did you fight and how did the fight go?

I fought on the Planet Battle promotion against a Thai Fighter called Phet Tanawat. He's had over 250 fights and is really good. Fight was going really well and I think we were very even right up until the 2nd round when he caught my kick and pushed me into the ropes. As I fell he landed a knee right on my chin and I was OUT!!! I honestly had no idea where I was, stood up and saw him in the neutral corner and ready take my head off!! I managed get myself together to hold him off and I lost the fight on points. Not too bad.

2. How did you prepare for this fight? Any special training that you did especially for this fight?

I had my trainer from Thailand, Bangman who has been my trainer for over 7 years. I had him stay with me and train me for over 2weeks. We watched Phet's fight and we trained and worked on certain techniques and combinations. The fight was also K-1 rules so I had to adjust to no elbow strikes which kinda suck because I like using my elbows alot in a fight.

3. Describe your mental state before the fight. What do you do to ready yourself mentally? Do you have any routine that you do during fight day?

I don't really get nervous before a fight anymore. I am just abit more edgy to be around when Im getting ready, as in I want to concentrate and not be disturbed by anyone. Just my trainer and me talking. I usually take deep breaths and try to relax and think of the fight the night before and I do alot of visualizing in my head. The day of the fight I just rest as much as I can, rehydrate loads, stretch a little bit, say my prayers and then we're off..... Bring it on!!

4. I hear you've been to Thailand to train on occasion? Where have you been and for how long?

I have trained in Thailand now going back and forth for 10 years almost. I lived the longest there for 6 months straight. I've trained at gyms on the the islands like Samui, Phuket & Krabi. I've also trained in the heart of it all - Bangkok. Some gyms I've been to are WMC Koh Samui, Tor. Chalermchai, Dejtrat, Sor. Chitlada, Rawai and Emerald Gym.

5. What are the differences between training in Singapore and in Thailand?

Training is rather different in Thailand compared to Singapore. Cleanliness for one!!! It really depends on what kinda training you are there for? Leisure; weight-loss; fun. But if you're there like me to train for a fight you are just concentrating on your training and fighting with no distractions of work, school, family and whatever else. You are just there to train and fight! The quality of training is obviously better and more intense. You are at the very birthplace of the sport - Thousands of years of experience, and the trainers there have literally been born into Muay Thai so they have alot of valuable experience and training advice to share.

6. You're Singapore's most decorated Muay Thai fighter, having represented Singapore in Contender Asia. Tell us what was Contender Asia like, and how it has helped your career as a fighter.

Most decorated fighter! I sound like a Christmas tree!!!! Well, Contender Asia was an amazing experience. I mean, I was the fighter with the least experience among all of the other guys. I got to train with some of the top fighters in the sport. I also watched and learnt so much from just being there. The way they trained or how they prepared themselves before the fight. We have all become very close friends too. I can't deny that Contender Asia was a great stepping stone for me. It literally put me on the world stage! After beating Zidov in the rematch and showing the world what I was really capable of, people started to actually take notice of me! I get loads of emails sometimes asking me about Muay Thai, shoulder injuries and other random strange things!?! I mean I've been recognized in clubs in Sweden, Australia, Hong Kong and of course here in sunny Singapore! So it's kinda weird people coming up to me and saying,"Oh hey you're Zig Zach!!" and start going on about Muay Thai or the show.

7. I hear that you injured your shoulders rather badly during the filming of the show. Have you fully recovered?

I hurt my shoulder in day 1 of the show. It was just a really stupid race where we were tied together by the waist and we had to sprint down a wet narrow road!? Soren, my partner, fell on top of me and I felt my right shoulder pop out and it was just horrible to be able to hear all my muscles rip!! That was the first dislocation I had in 4 years or so. I was so sore and couldn't do push ups and couldn't train properly without feeling it hurt. And come fight night when I was picked by Zidov to fight. I managed to dislocate my left shoulder!! Which was the first time it has ever happened. I was so shocked I almost wanted to stop fighting there and then!! After a few days of being back home, I was so upset about everything and how a dream turned into a nightmare. I was lucky that all those who were close to me were supportive and helped me to get myself back up. I decided I was gonna have surgery and then come back stronger than ever!! And that I did!! I still have problems with my right shoulder though. Just gotta keep doing my strengthening workouts and make sure I train and fight smart so as to not have it dislocate again.

8. Do you have another fight planned as of yet?

I might get another fight in Phuket, 3rd Week of November. I don't want to end my year on a loss!! I wanna win so I can end 2009 on a good note!

9. Anyways, I hear that you DJ as well! When's your next gig?

Yeah I do DJ as well. I know! Not exactly the two things you would associate a Professional Fighter all fit and healthy and then you've got your classic DJ/party animal on the other!!! My next gig is actually on Halloween at the new sexy beach club called Azzura on Sentosa. It's gonna be a pretty good all day to night party. (The Vampire Burlesque Ball at Azzura!)

10. That's awesome! How long have you been DJ-ing for? How did you get started?

I have been DJing for about 5 years or so now? It was just all for fun and my friends, used to own a gym here and they had turntables in there and so I just tried playing it around with it and got hooked! I've always been a huge fan of dance music and going out to clubs. I guess I just like being in the limelight!!

11. Seems like you're a man of many talents! Tell us what's currently hot on your ipod!

You can say Im a "Zach of all trades!!" I actually hate listening to the cheesy radio music so I listen to alot of live sets recorded from DJs from all over the world. Guess I'm just jealous I can't be in London or Ibiza for the parties so just listening to it on my ipod makes me feel better!! When it's not dance music then I'm listening to alot of electronic chillout like Zero7, The Postal Service, Air, Moby and bands like Radiohead, ThirdEyeBlind, Foo Fighters... the list goes on!!!!

12. Random Questions! Japanese or Thai food?

Tough choice Im huge fan of both but I'd say Japanese is one of my favourite and then Thai is definitely not far behind!!

13. Bangkok or Koh Samui?

I'd say Koh Samui as it is just a seriously mad party town and the beaches there are BEAUTIFUL!! Loads of girls wearing bikinis on the beach... what more could you ask for!!

14. Briefs or Boxers?

Boxers for everyday stuff but briefs when I fight because it holds the package in place better!!

15. Thanks for your time answering all these questions!

Your welcome! Just wanna say a quick Thank You to my sponsors and all my friends and loved ones that have helped me get to where I am today. Cheers!

For more information on Zig Zach, please visit his website at www.zigzach.com

Photos by Tim Bowman and Florence Lee.