Smiles as NQ fighters shape up for Muay Thai’s return

Muay Thai Queensland amateur featherweight champion Dirk “The Smiling Assassin” Cummings insists Saturday’s fight is no tune-up.

Far North amateur fighters will go to battle for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak this Saturday at NQ Beat Down 27. Queensland Feather Weight champion Dirk Cummings and first time fighter Jake McLaughlin are ready to take on the Townsville fighters in the Muay Thai battles. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN.

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Muay Thai Queensland amateur featherweight champion Dirk “The Smiling Assassin” Cummings insists Saturday’s fight is no tune-up.

Cummings will step up in weight to take on undefeated Townsville fighter “Flyin” Ryan Jankowski in the main event at NQ Beat Down 27 at DF. GYM in Manunda.

While his state title is not on the line, Cummings said he would be giving his all.

“It’s still a real fight,” Cummings said.

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“I’m not going to be taking this guy cheap.

“I’m going to show up, so is he, and we’re going to do our thing.”

It will be the first time Cummings steps into a ring since the coronavirus outbreak.

“It’s good just getting to fight again,” Cummings said.

Far North amateur fighters will go to battle for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak this Saturday at NQ Beat Down 27. Queensland Feather Weight champion Dirk Cummings and first time fighter Jake McLaughlin are ready to take on the Townsville fighters in the Muay Thai battles. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

“I’ve been missing it, so it will be really good to get back in there and fight someone.”

At the other end of the spectrum, Cummings’ teammate Jake McLaughlin will be stepping into the ring for the first time in his amateur career.

McLaughlin said he was feeling “as good as you can be” ahead of the new experience.

“I want to do my best,” McLaughlin said.

“I’m feeling confident, but, then again, anything can happen on the day.”

The pair fight out of DF. GYM’s Fight Academy, where they are trained by former two-time Australian Muay Thai champion Patrick Doherty and two-time Queensland champion Ryan McDonald.

Doherty, also the event organiser, said the Cairns and Townsville rivalry would be on show over the nine-fight card.

“The Townsville gym beat us in the main event last time, so Dirk’s looking to get that one back this time,” he said.

“His opponent’s undefeated, but if I was a betting man, I’d have my money on Dirk for sure.”

The first fight is at 12.30pm, with the nine-fight card to be live-streamed on the NQ Beat Down Facebook page.

Fighters, trainers and spectators will rotate each fight to keep numbers under the 60 people allowed in the venue.

Originally published as Smiles as NQ fighters shape up for Muay Thai’s return