A teen flew out to an island on his own and is training with complete strangers to make his “dream come true”.
Lewis Lever, a 17 year-old from Huyton, has been taking part in a rigorous training programme for the last month in Phuket, a province off the west coast of mainland Thailand. This is in preparation for his upcoming mixed martial arts (MMA) fight later this year in Liverpool.
Speaking to the ECHO from the Asian country, Lewis explained that he chose MMA over other sports which he also excelled in. He said: “My dad did it before me. He took me to the gym once and I fell in love with it. I started with Thai boxing and liked the feel, punches and kicks.
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When I was younger, I was just jumping from different sports and went into wrestling and boxing. As a kid, I didn't really think of getting to a high level. I just thought about going the gym and enjoying it.”
It wasn’t until his early teenage years that Lewis began to take sport, and MMA specifically, more seriously. He said: “The title of being champion of the world, to have your name cemented in the history of the sport – that’s why it inspired me.”
Despite numerous injuries since, Lewis believes he has “always come back stronger”. When he was given the opportunity to fight at the Olympia, he threw everything into it – including moving to the other side of the world.
Lewis said: “It's amazing. I remember going there when I was a kid with my dad. Just to say I've fought there, it’s like a dream come true.
“It's quite an experience. Coming over to a gym I've never been to, having different sparring partners – I don't know what their style is. I've been learning a few more techniques.
“It's been amazing. Everything about being here is sick.”
Lewis is making his debut at the Full Contact Contender (FCC), a championship which gives a platform to emerging amateurs and new professionals. The Amateur Bantamweight Title will be on the line, a title that has never been won by someone as young as Lewis. He is hoping to make a “big statement” with this opportunity.
However, he insists that the match is “only a stepping stone” for what he is eventually aiming to achieve. He said: I've only had five fights up to now. Hopefully after I win this, I'll defend and get a few titles. I’m only young.”
A series of MMA matches, including Lewis’ debut, will take place at the Liverpool Olympia on March 9. You can find out more here.
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