BEN BURRAGE celebrated his third world kickboxing title at The Albert yesterday.
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The 33-year-old martial arts star wasn’t on the drink and downing champagne with gay abandon in response to his winning a World Muay Thai super welterweight belt in Orange on Sunday but because The Albert is where he works.
His boss has been a great supporter of the fighter.
“They’ve been great to me,” Burrage said.
“They give me time off to train.”
In reply, publican Nick Weir said his employee could have “time off whenever he wants”.
Burrage had won two world kickboxing titles previously.
On Sunday he fought Australian Phil Tyquin for the super welterweight belt (69.5kg), in a bout scheduled for five rounds.
“He held the belt,” Burrage said.
“He fought the right international opponents to get himself ranked.”
Burrage is ranked in Thailand because of his numerous fights over there.
On Sunday he used some of his renowned, vicious leg kicks to stop Tyquin in the third round.
Burrage had been hoping to have fought for a world title in Tamworth in May but the NCHA Futurity takes precedence for his work.
“Hopefully I have one in October, a WMCwelterweight title bout (66.8kg),” he said.
“That’s my best weight.”
While he works at The Albert, he also trains young fighters out of his Fighting Arts Gym on Gunnedah Road.
“I’ve got some good, young kids coming through,” he said.