Interview with Neil Woods (March 2001)

This is an interview with Neil Woods one of Englands fastest and most exciting young fighters.

When did u start training? Who with?
I Started training 8 years ago when I was 14 with Colin Heron in Liverpool.

What made you take up thaiboxing?
I always liked boxing and wanted to be a fighter, I'd seen an advert for Thai Boxing at my local sports centre, went along and have been in love with sport ever since.

Have you studied any other martial arts?
No only Thai Boxing.

When was your first fight? How did it go?
My first fight was against Paul Twist who trained with Harry Warburton at Janthaburi Thai Boxing in Wigan. It was in 1994 at the Maximes Nightclub Wigan. I won.

What was your first title fight?
My first title fight was in 1996 for the WKO Northwest area title, I fought Tony Bassnet and won.

What other titles do you hold now? I hold the Wako Pro European welterweight Title. . I can list all the titles I have won but I only still hold the Wako Pro European Title because of moving up in weight and experience.
WKO - 57KG NORTHWEST AREA THAIBOXING TITLE - Someone from Alby Bimpsons
WKO - 61.5KG NORTHWEST AREA KICKBOXING TITLE - Tony Basnett
WKA - 61.5KG NORTHWEST AREA THAIBOXING TITLE - Mark Gusso
WAKO PRO - 63.5KG BRITISH THAIBOXING TITLE - Mark Beale
WKPL - 63.5KG COMMONWEALTH THAIBOXING TITLE - Craig Shaw
WAKO PRO - EUROPEAN THAIBOXING TITLE - Sergei

Which do you feel was the hardest for you to get?

The European title because I fought abroad in front of a home crowd. I won by unanimous decision.

How often a week do u train?
I train 3 times a day 5 days a week.

What does a typical days training consist of?
Morning training consists of all pad and bag work and conditioning. I run in the afternoon and do my sparring at nightime.

How would you compare training in England to the training you've experienced in Thailand?
My training here is much harder, Colin Heron really pushes you to the limit and knows exactly how to get the best from you but it was hard training in that heat in Thailand.

Who would you most like to fight that you haven't already, both from England and abroad?
I have no specific people I would like to fight, basically anyone who is good and well respected.

Do any notable fights stick in your memory?
My comeback fight in June of this year. I had been out almost a year due to injury and I nearly not able to fight again. I had a lot of pressure on me being out for so long and a huge amount of fans we brought to the Deeside Leisure Centre. I fought one of the best fights of my career and destroyed Peter O'Carrol in 2 rounds.

What's your favourite technique?
I like all and appreciate all the techniques of muaythai, though obviously I don't wish to reveal what my favourite is.

Who do you respect in muaythai and other disciplines?
I respect all genuine fighters who train hard and fight respectable fighters from home and abroad.

When's your next fight?
I'm not sure to be honest.

How do you feel about your defeat in Japan?
At first I was very dissapointed about it, but when it had sunk in what I had actually done I was very happy. To go and fight in Japan would have been one thing but to fight on a K1 show as the main event for a World Title with Ramon Dekker on the undercard was amazing. It was a great experience and I am still only 22.

What was it like fighting in front of such a huge crowd? Do you plan to go back out there to fight?
It was amazing, it is so big out there and yes I do plan to go back out there to fight again. Japan was the most memorable experience of my life, I was treated like a star from the moment I got off the plane and looked after so well. The Arena was huge and the people really loved the sport.

Do up plan to challenge again for a world title?
Yes but there is no rush, I would rather be respected as a good fighter all over the world and be a true world champion.

What are your long term plans for the future?
I plan to carry on fighting and become a true World Champion.