Review of Muay Thai Documentary “Born Ready”

One of the most difficult and simultaneously most desired qualities of good fight reporting or documentary work is the connection to the hearts of the fighters. Recapping action, talking about matchups, post-fight interviews—the bulk of most fight media is not really, in my opinion, what fight fans truly want.

What they truly want is to know why the fighters do what they do, what motivates them to put themselves through such hardship, what keeps them going, and what they get out of what they do—maybe not all fight fans, but that’s certainly what I want. If I want action, I’ll just watch the fight.

“A little teenager and a grown man—that’s in his mind, it’s been in his mind for a year, for a whole year—now it’s time to get it back. He wants his revenge back. He’s not going to be ok in his life with a little teenager beating him.” The opening words of the Part 1 of Jacob Klensin’s new Muay Thai documentary, Born Ready, are as intense as any elbow, lead hook or low kick. The words come from Rami Ibrahim, trainer and uncle of Ahmad Ibrahim, the 17-year-old champion Muay Thai fighter whom the first episode features.

And just as Rami urges Ahmad to treat every round of the 6-minute fight like the first round, every minute of the six minutes of the first episode of Born Ready is equally intense. The young fighter and his trainer share with Jacob the closest details of how they first began in the sport, what motivates them, as well as the unique dynamic of being a fighting family. One of the most touching visual examples of that dynamic is the kiss Ahmad’s grandmother gives him after the conclusion of his title fight at the Philly Ring Kings show, on which most of the documentary centers.

Without letting this become a spoiler, one of the things that stands out most strongly to me in Jacob’s talk with Ahmad is the young fighter’s humility. I know from knowing Ahmad personally that this is not just for the cameras—it is genuine and something I believe his uncle imparts in him as part of his training. Ahmad is soft-spoken, reflective, and real—a great representative of some of the best elements of the spirit of Muay Thai.

One of the greatest challenges in fighting is to come to grips with what you are fighting for. It’s something that is more clear for some than others, and I think that the first episode of Born Ready delves into those emotions in a way that is both poignant and honest. As a fighter and a member of the fight media myself—and foremost as someone who simply loves Muay Thai—I think Born Ready is a wonderful contribution to the sport.

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Muay Thai’s Song of Humility

225358_2026742104816_4623877_nJames is the author of Paleo for Fighters

Muay Thai isn’t the first difficult thing I’ve learned, but it is the most difficult. I’ve worked with my mind before. I finished college and graduate school, learned a foreign language, and started a business.

And I’ve labored as well. One of the most wonderful and positively transformational times in my life was when I spent a summer working as a landscaper in the countryside of northern Delaware. The time allowed me to shake the cobwebs of a sophomore year of college lost to drugs and alcohol and learn what it meant to work with my hands for not a lot of money. Continue reading

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Meet the Canadians – Part 4 – Natalie Yip

Natalie Yip trains at Siam No. 1By Jenypher Lanthier

Senior MTiL correspondent Jenypher Lanthier sits down with Siam #1 fighter Natalie Yip before her pro debut bout at Lion Fight 9 against undefeated American Muay Thai standout Tiffany Van Soest

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Meet the Canadians – Part 3 – Simon Marcus

Simon training w/ Ajahn Suchart By Jenypher Lanthier

I am sitting ringside at Siam No.1 in Toronto, Canada. I sit close enough to feel the occasional drop of sweat whip towards me from a powerful swing kick or punch. Simon Marcus is hitting pads with Ajahn Suchart. The cracking sound that it makes is devastating, like thunderclaps as bones collide against leather with a force and willpower that is not often witnessed live in person. I have trained with Ajahn before, so I am aware of what it feels like to do only five rounds of what can best be described as me trying to hit as hard as I can continuously, while he resists my power with the pads. Each weapon thrown is a fight against his power. If you are not throwing with full power his resistance will make you feel like your weapon just bounces off his Thai pad. I watch as Simon destroyed the pads for five whole rounds and look like he still had energy for more after. This is just a small glimpse of what he must endure to be able to stay at the top and fight opponents such as Artem Levin. It is a mere fraction of the amount of dedication and focus required for him to be where he is. So that got me thinking, “Why? Why really go through all this?” So I asked him.

Without further ado, here is my interview with Simon “Bad Bwoy” Marcus.

Simon faces possibly one of his toughest challenges battling Artem Levin this Friday on the LionFight Promotion. We wish both fighters the best of luck and look forward to a great fight!

A special thank you goes out to Allen Chung for the photos and video and to Simon for taking the time out to sit with us and talk with us.

Photo & Video credits: Allen Chung

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