Scott Bannon Interview

One of the true world champions(former) and characters of the sport out there. He's held 3 different world titles, been stripped of one and thrown another in the bin. Muaythai Online presents an exclusive interview with Scott on his thoughts about muaythai in general and what he will do now after the defeat with John Wayne Parr.

Hi Scott,

Commiserations on your recent loss to John Wayne Parr. How do you feel about that fight? What went wrong with your game plan?
Nothing really went wrong with my game plan. My mind wasn't really there I've lost my hunger thats why I need some time out for a while, to reavaluate myself? Wayne deserved to win he trained hard and he's done the hard years in the ring. He's a good guy and he was better than me on the night. He deserves to be the World Champion.

We admire your openness (or should that say strength?) agreeing to be interviewed straight after losing. What do you plan to do next with regards to muaythai?
Like I said I need some time off, I'm building my house and I have a lot on my mind with my business. I won't fight again unless I get my hunger back. I don't make mistakes twice.

So when did you start training in muaythai?
When I was 13.

What did you think of the training methods out there?
Some are good some are bad that's what makes the sport interesting, If everyone trained the same way we would always fight the same way, the clash of styles and methods are good.

Did you do any other martial arts before then?
I did Tae Kwon Doe when I was little for a couple of years then boxing with my next door neighbour. Thats about all the rest off the time I just played footy.

How much time have you spent training in Thailand?
Not much I train better here at home the air is better here. I go to Bangkok to see whats new and buy gear for my gym and watch fights at Lumpini.

When did you start competeing?
When I was 15.

What's the hardest fight you've had?
Prince Amir.

Is there anyone out there in particular you'd like to fight at the moment?
Not really, without starting a circus again I'd like to fight Wayne again but like I said I wouldn't do it unless I really had the hunger back.

In the past why did you agree to a world title fight and then put the belt in the bin, can you tell us about that incident?
It was more of a impulse thing. Everyone whinges about there being to many sanctitioning bodies and they never do anything about it so I did. The guy was a good little fighter but it shouldn't have been a World title he only lived 2 states away so I took a stand and threw it in the bin.

Which association or organisation titles do you feel are the ones that really count then?
WMC, WKA, ISKA I don't know anything about the other one's so I can't comment on them

How do you feel now about the whole WKA thing now?
I'm over the whole thing, nothing worked in the lead up to the show but the main thing is we had a huge crowd and they were all happy.

Is there anyway back between you and the association?
Like I said I'm not to worried. They would have to make the move and I can't see that happening.

Who do you respect in muaythai and other disciplines?
Anyone that fights deserves respect. As for who I look up to as a fighter Ian Jacobs, Ramon Dekker, Ivan Hippolyte and Mr Ishii because they are or have pushed the sport up a level.

There has been a lot of focus on Australian sport because of the olympics. How mainstream is muaythai becoming out there?
It's getting there we just have to keep trying and cut out all the bitchiness and learn to work together.

Thanks for your time.
No problem anytime.