The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

WITH the constant struggle to find Muay Thai bouts, DC Pratt has shifted his focus to making a boxing debut in the near future.

“Right now the focus will be to start preparing for some boxing fights. I’m really ready now for some novice tournaments. I have the skill, I just want to tighten up a bit. My boxing coaches tell me I’m ready though,” he said. “I’m just a little more reluctant because boxing is a whole other game and I’m on the fence a little, but I’m definitely pursuing it. I’m still working on little tricks of the trade though, like different footwork and making angles. Just small things.”

Last month, Pratt saw his third fight for the year cancelled in the 11th hour of fight preparation. He said it is back to the drawing board in an effort to stay ready for his next opportunity.

“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. 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 said.

“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.”

Last October, 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 2012.

A student at Georgia Perimeter College, Pratt said it was his first time fighting in an event of that magnitude, and also the first time he participated in a proper training camp where he had strength and conditioning along with regular training and sparring.

“This was the most prepared and hardest I’ve ever worked for a fight,” he said.

Inspired by the Golden Knights’ 4x400m gold medal performance at the London Olympics, Pratt has set himself the lofty goal of becoming an Olympian himself before he ends his amateur career and switches to the professional ranks.

“I don’t want to rush into a professional career as yet, because there are some things as an amateur I want to accomplish. My long-shot goal is to make the Bahamas’ boxing team for the 2016 Olympics in Rio,” he said.

“I was so inspired by the Golden Knights’ performance in London that I felt the need to chase that goal, not to make a complete shift to boxing, but within the next few years to pursue the sport at a high level to qualify for the Olympic Games.”