Craven claims world title with Wakeling knock-out
Professional Thai boxer Joe Craven, who grew up in Halifax, is celebrating taking the world championship title awarded by Muay Thai governing body ISKA having knocked out opponent Michael Wakeling on a show organised by the Hitman Fight League at London’s O2 Arena.
“I didn’t go in there needing to win the fight by knockout,” said a victorious Craven, “but to wear him out with the speed and pressure of my attacks, but I caught him with a powerful left hook in the second round which knocked him out.
"He was unconscious for a short while but then came round and realised he’d lost. I thought from the start that I was winning but I really took control in the second and that was the result although the match was scheduled to last for five three-minute rounds.”
Craven and Wakeling are both highly experienced Muay Thai fighters with Londoner Wakeling having won 35 of his previous 38 fights while Craven has now won 35 of 41 fights.
"Michael Wakeling was a bit of a legend in the sport and often considered as the best British fighter in recent years in both Muay Thai and kickboxing,” said Craven. He added: “He’d never been knocked out before meeting me in what we both agreed was a brutal encounter.
"The show was well attended as both Michael and
I are big ticket sellers. This meant an atmosphere at the show that was electric, exciting, and exhilarating for both sets of fans. We both walked away relatively unscathed which is a bonus, although I might have damaged my eye socket. It’ll heal.”
Craven had previously won the MTGP European Title by knockout but lost his WMO world middleweight title against Brazilian champion Thiago Teixeira back in April.
"That loss me more determined than ever to become a world champion. I’m still ambitious and I’d love to join the ‘The Championship’ roster.
"It’s like a Muay Thai equivalent of the UFC and would provide me with high level professional fights against the very top fighters forcing me to learn to adapt to different styles.”
Muay Thai simply means ‘Thai Boxing’ and allows for stand-up striking using fists, elbows, knees, shins and of course those famous and sometimes vicious kicks along with various clinching techniques.
Craven began training at Calder Thai Boxing Academy in Halifax where founder and chief instructor Ricky Richardson remembers him fondly.
"Joe started training with us aged five and was about 12 when he won his first championship belt, the Celtic Challenge,” said Richardson.
"I told his parents then that he’d become a world champion such was his work ethic. Joe never missed training and he was always up for any fight we could get him.
We’re so glad that he's realised his dream.”
Craven now represents Richard Smith’s Bad Company gym. On Sunday, Craven will be doing the 24
Peaks Challenge on behalf of Overgate Hospice. He is also auctioning off his world title fight shorts for the Hospice with bids to reach him on Facebook by December 1.
Anyone interested in training at Calder Thai should contact Ricky Richardson through Instagram or Facebook or via email at calderthai@hotmail.com