Jordan Fielding faces toughest test in Knees of Fury 71 main event Saturday night

[Nergal]

 

IN the fight game, a man’s character extends much further than the shiny Muay Thai belts that drape from his waist and arms.

And although kickboxer Jordan Fielding knows his three championship titles don’t define him, winning a fourth strap on Saturday night followed by a world title in the near future is still his life mission.

“This will be my hardest fight, but that’s what I want because I love to earn it,” Fielding said.

“It’s what I’m here to do.”

Already a South Australian, Australian and South Pacific champion at 66kg, Fielding will clash with Kiwi Adam Manisy in the main event at Knees of Fury 71 for the vacant Commonwealth title in the featherweight division.

Fielding (13W-8L) is confident a strong win at the Dom Polski Centre will catapult him into a world title fight.

“I don’t feel pressure and even though it’s a title fight I try not think about it,” the 26-year-old said.

“Adam is very good and this will be champion versus champion fight. My style is to wing it. I’ll see what I need to do and I’ll adapt to whatever happens to win.”

Fielding’s introduction to combat sports came when he was sent to Sydney to live with his uncle — an Australian super-heavyweight Muay Thai champion.

“I was getting in a bit of trouble and there was no choice, I had to go,” Fielding said.

“I was 15 and I started training and I just knew I was going to be a world champion.

“The discipline was good for me and the sport has given me purpose and challenge. You can see what you’re made of.”

Fielding’s two-month training camp has been boosted by Thailand trainer HanSuk, who flew to Adelaide to help with the preparation.

“He’s been here for the whole fight camp and you can’t find the training like his quality here in Adelaide,” said Fielding, who runs Strong Heart Muay Thai gym.

In the co-main event Matthew Stevens will fight Jon Anderson for the 70kg South Pacific title.