Interview with Aaron "TS2" Leigh (December 2003)

Aaron is a rising young Australian star on the fight circuit. Trained by Mark Pease of StrikeForce Gym he is now fighting regularly and representing Australia in many international matches. Find out more about TS2 below!

How old are you now and where were you born?
I was born at Tweed Heads (On the Gold Coast) in Australia - I'm 22 years old.

How did you first get involved in the sport?
I went to spar with a few of my mates and someone said to me "You've got some talent there" and suggested I go & train at the Strikeforce Gym

When was your first fight and what is your current record?
My first fight was four years ago. I've had 22 fights - 19 wins - 3 losses & 13 K'O's

You spent quite a bit of time training at Eminent Air Gym in Bangkok, how does that gym compare to the others you have visited in Thailand?
I do like Eminent Air better - the reason being that Mark bought over a Thai trainer from there last year for 2 months and he & I got on like a house on firel and then when I went over there, they looked after me really well. I have trained at other gyms in Thailand, but Eminent Air does me fine.

What does the "TS2" in Aaron "TS2" Leigh stand for, how did you come by the name?
when we were choosing a fight name for me, I didn't like what was being thrown around the gym. I've always liked my trainers name "Too Smooth", so we abbreviated it, put a number 2 there for TS2 (Too Smooth 2), but Mark will always tell you "He's the real Too Smooth" (Ha Ha!!)

You recently KO'd "Tokyo Joe" Tsuchiya (WKA, IKF world Champ, Japan JT Club) for the WMC Intercontinental title, can you talk us out how you felt before and after that fight?
Before the fight, Mark said "Tokyo Jo will come out steaming" (Which he did - his composure was all gone), so from there, it was pretty easy. After the fight all my friends, family & the boys from the gym partied hard that night.

After that fight you fought in Thailand at September, how did that fight go?

I fought there in September - Sakbantoon was the fighter - I had food poisioning, so we changed my fight plan to compensate for my lack of energy. I was told to use my reach to keep him away which I did, but he kept charging me, so I stopped him with an uppercut elbow, which gave him a third eyebrow.

After that fight you again beat another Thai in Australia by stoppage, Kongrit Sitphraprom, can you talk us through that fight?
Yes - this fight was different, I was pretty nervous as he had fought at Lumpinee before and knew what he wanted. Unfortunately the fight didn't go to plan for myself. I was all over the show and couldn't get going, but eventually picked up in the 4th round. He was tiring by then so I punched and kneed heaps.

A lot of your recent wins have been by stoppage, who do you feel now would be a real war of a fight if you faced them?
Any Thai fighter - anyone really, if thier good on the night - Luck of the draw really. Any fight to me is instant war!!!

When is your next fight?
Next fight is at the Boonchu Cup on the Gold Coast on the 14th December against Todd Kedwell from New Zealand

Have you seen many UK fighters fight, which do you rate?
No, I have not seen or heard of many UK fighters, except one - Damien Trainer - hopefully we'll one day to fight each other - It would be great to go to Europe.

Is there anyone in particular at all you would like to fight?
No - anyone eager to have a go I'll jump in with. Japan, Europe, U.K sounds pretty cool

What other Australian fighters do you rate?
Pixie Burton from our gym - he does not get the credit he deserves - he's beaten Sorren Monkongtong and Kurt Finlayson, and fought Masato and also at Rajadarmnerm Stadium. He is a Legend. Also John Wayne Parr - he rocks and also a good mate of mine, Daniel Dawson.

Will you ever go up against Chris White (Phon Martdee's camp)?
I have already fought him twice for one win a piece - I do need to fight him again to settle the score.

What do you think of Australian women thaiboxing, do you think they should fight with elbows?
I don't mind watching it. If they are trained well enough, they should be able to use whatever they like, just the same at the guys.

Do you plan to fight boxing or MMA rules at some stage?
No, I like Thai boxing with knees and elbows too much. Besides, I've got too many fights coming up to think of anything else at present.

Is there anything you would like to say in closing?
I would like to thank Muay Thai Online for this interview - Cheers for that Dan and hopefully one day I can come over your way to fight, if a promoter backs it, for sure mate - I'm there with Bells on!