by John Wolcott
Saenchai, known as one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world, not bring with him to the ring the very same qualities as one of the most yearned for jewels on earth? Furthermore with this level of opposition, will Ross not be performing under the same pressures that are known for making diamonds? It seems to me this belt is fitting for a clash between these two combatants, each having paved the way for the sport in their own respective ways.
Nonetheless, if you asked Kevin Ross ten years ago if he ever thought he’d see the day when he’d be standing in the same telling square as Saenchai, he’d probably tell you never in this lifetime. However, this is because ten years ago Ross was involved in another kind of fight; a fight for his sobriety. Even though the desire to be a part of Muaythai had been there since Ross was 16 years old it wasn’t until 1999, after the tragic passing of his good friend Moe, that he started taking the dream more seriously.
Although, this wasn’t until after spending his early twenties dueling with his demons from the inside of a bottle. Because of his friend’s death, Ross had been drinking more than ever and soon felt the crushing weight of depression resting on his shoulders.
Despite this, all the while Ross knew in the back of his mind there had been unfinished business between him and his friend. Moe had been the only person in whom Ross confided in about his dreams of becoming a fighter. With this, day after day, year after year, the thought had burdened Ross, until one day he realized that he had been wasting his life away, and that if his friend Moe were there to see it, he’d probably let Ross know. I guess most men in this position will eventually have an epiphany, although not all will answer. However, Ross did, and on that day he looked down at his bottle of alcohol and emptied out the contents and all the perils that came with it. Within twenty-four hours he was in the gym and never looked back.
Ross, whose in-the-ring inspirations include Ramon Dekkers and Wangchanoi to name a few, feels he was born to be a fighter, and coming from a place of turmoil, sets out in each fight to show the world that lives can be turned around and dreams can be lived. Whether it’s a tough loss like we’ve seen against Sittisak, or a triumphant win like we’ve witnessed in the Malaipet fight, Ross brings that in-your-face, hard hitting style to every contest. Never getting too caught up in titles, he would rather go down in history as someone who entered the ring to fight, not just for the strap, but rather because it’s a calling that Ross feels he was put on this planet to do. It’s the fear of having to look back on a life only half lived that has Ross not only chasing his dreams, but fighting for them.
All the same, on August 14th, Kevin Ross will have the chance to live out his aspirations once again, proving the pressures of life can either make or break a man - or in this case, create diamonds. However, these diamonds are more than glimmering stones on a green strap; what they represent is the prismatic light that both fighters shed on a sport which is often left in the dark, at least in America. For if Ross manages to dethrone the king of the cartwheel kick, not only does he bring home a belt of gems, but along with it comes the recognition that his legacy as a fighter, like diamonds, will last forever.
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