Tag Archives: Retirement

All it takes is heart – NY’s Christopher Romulo retires from active competition. Story by John Wolcott

Posted on December 10, 2011 by John Wolcott

By John Wolcott In the world of Muaythai there are many aspects of the art that can be taught to and learned by a student. Everything from technique and balance to ring strategy and how to score points. However, there is one thing that cannot be taught or learned, and that is heart. Heart is one of those qualities that a person is born with; a feature that you either have, or you don’t. Heart is what makes up the substance of a fighter. It’s that intangible force that reveals itself when adversity is at its peak. Heart is something that is tested time and again and grows with each obstacle it overcomes. Heart is what raises a champion off of the canvas when they have been felled in battle. It’s what motivates a combatant to step up and take on any and all challenges placed in front of them. Heart, when speaking in terms of the fighter, is what fuels and drives a person to be the best they can be both inside and outside of the ring, not only for themselves, but for everyone around them. As a fighter methodically moves under the bright lights of the ring canopy it’s easy to tell who has it and who doesn’t. It’s their display of heart which tells us a story of who they are, what they are capable of achieving, and just how far they are willing to push themselves. It’s a fighter’s heart which also inspires us, and … Continue reading →

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John Wayne Parr announces that retirement may be on hold

Posted on August 8, 2011 by muaythailife

A few months back John Wayne Parr spoke with Muay Thai is life about his decision to leave the sport of Muay Thai for good. However, it seems like the man they call “JWP” has decided, according to his facebook, that he may have jumped the gun in announcing his retirement. 2011 was supposed to be Parr’s last year in Muay Thai but since the announcement Parr has been on an absolute tear. A tear that began with a first round KO of Mike Zambidis during their 3rd meeting this past May. JWP continued to look in top form as he recently scored a spectacular 2nd Round KO over Mostafa Abdollahi at Capital Punishment 4 in Canberra on July 30th. Abdollahi, was a late replacement for South African nakmuay Vuyisile Colossa, who was unable to secure a visa in time for the fight. One thing JWP stated after he announced he was retiring was that he was looking to end his career fighting in his native Australia. Since his announcement, he has stayed true to his word as he has not yet been scheduled for a bout outside of his Aussie homeland. Parr stated during a recent Facebook post that he was “having to much fun training and fighting and love the life style way too much. Plus what the hell was I thinking? If I retire then I have to get a job, my allergies start playing up just thinking of working…” The “Gunslinger” is already scheduled for two … Continue reading →

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John Wayne Parr discusses his decision to make this his final year in Muay Thai

Posted on January 18, 2011 by King Coconut

Earlier this month, legendary Australian Muay Thai fighter, John Wayne Parr, announced that he was going to make this year his final year in the sport. “J-Dubya”, has long been one of our favorite fighters here at Muay Thai is Life. In 2005, when we began this road of trying to promote both Muay Thai and Sanshou in Florida and the U.S., JWP was one of the first elite Muay Thai fighters we were able to interview. Also, when we began making highlight videos of our favorite fighters John Wayne Parr was one of the first fighters we knew we definitely had to highlight. JWP, has always been a class act; a fighter with a huge heart that never walked away from a challenge, he has fought a who’s who of some of the best fighters in the sport including: Buakaw Por. Pramuk, Yodsanklai Fairtex, Orono Por. Muang Ubon, Sakmongkol Sithchuchok, Mike Zambidis, Albert Kraus, Steven Wakeling, and a long list of other top tier Muay Thai talent. As a Muay Thai fighter myself with not even close to 1/10th of the talent John Wayne Parr has, I have always looked at JWP as a fighter who truly lived the Muay Thai dream. Going pro at 17 years of age and winning an Australian title that same year, Parr then moved to Thailand where he lived and trained for 4 years, fighting in over 30 fights and fighting at both the legendary Lumpini stadium and the King’s Birthday celebration. Returning … Continue reading →

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