The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

MUY Thai fighter DC Pratt will make his 2013 fighting debut this year at one of the biggest events in the sport.

Pratt is slated to compete at the 2013 IKF World Classic Amateur/Muy Thai-Kickboxing Championships, July 19-21 in Orlando, Florida.

Over 360 fighters have registered to fight at the event over four divisions, including Adult Men, Adult Women, Junior Boy and and Junior Girl fighters.

While Pratt has yet to fight for the year, with a strict training regimen, he said he is focused on having a good showing at the tournament.

“I had a pretty good training camp despite the long layoff and bad luck with fights. I’ve been keeping busy in my training regimen. I run at least three times a week, spar three-four times a week, do pad work and technique work two-three times a week. Three-four days out of the week I train twice a day, so I’m ready,” he said.

In the Adult Men division, there are 115 bouts scheduled, featuring 70 Muay Thai fighters vying for eight open titles and seven novice titles.

Pratt said that at this point, he’s less concerned about the field of more experienced fighters, but more about making his registered weight class at 153 pounds.

“I was able to check the division and do a little homework on the guys in my division. What I took note of was just their experience level, but I try not to focus on that. They have bigger records than me, but I’m not sweating it,” he said.

“My only concern is making the weight since this will be the lowest weight I will compete at, at 153 pounds. Right now I am currently 166 but I will be able to get down to weight in time. This week I am going to limit my sodium intake, drink two gallons of distilled water a day. Twenty four hours before weigh-ins I drink three gallons of distilled water, then I wear a sauna suit and sweat it out fast. I’m a little anxious, but I’ve cut that kind of weight before.”

In May, Pratt saw his third fight for the year cancelled in the 11th hour of fight preparation.

“It’s frustrating of course, but it’s just the way the fight game is sometimes. I just have to stay fight-ready so when something pops up I’m ready to go and I’m able to put my best effort out there,” Pratt said.

“But for right now it’s just back to training, putting together a new regimen, and I’ll look to compete whenever I get the chance again,” he added.

That opportunity came up with the IKF World Classic 2013.

“Fights fall through for a number of reasons and I’ve seen all of it happen. Sometimes a fighter backs out, they could back out for a number of reasons. Then some promotions drop fights, or don’t have their business end together. The fight business is just unpredictable.”

In October 2012, Pratt opened the Bangkok Fight Night Atlanta Grand Prix event in Atlanta, Georgia, with a split decision over Clint Blizzard in the 160-pound weight class in his Muay Thai debut.

One of the major MMA promotions in the state, Bangkok Fight Night features both professional and amateur MMA and Muay Thai bouts on its 11-fight card.

Pratt, 22, has two local sanshou fights under his belt and one which took place in Orlando in July last year.