Josh McCulloch has added another title to his collection after beating fellow New South Welshman Nathan Jones on points in Toukley.
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The 19-year-old reigning Tamworth Sportsperson of the Year won the Muay Thai Australia 58.9-kilogram NSW title and avenged a controversial draw with Jones late last year.
McCulloch went into the fight noticeably more cut than in previous fights, which he attributed to a strict diet and added weight sessions.
The teen believes that he won all five rounds against Jones. The draw against Jones at Cronulla in October was McCulloch's last fight before Saturday's triumph, and it snapped an 11-fight winning streak.
McCulloch said the break between the two fights was one of the longest of his career, and was needed to heal feet and shin injuries.
"So I came back pretty much 100 per cent, which was great: I could showcase all my skills," he said, "and was able to definitely use my cardio to my advantage and push the pace ... and try and wear him out, which worked."
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McCulloch said that adding a "couple of extra" weight sessions to his training program meant he was now "much, much stronger in the clinch, in the kicking". "Instead of being pushed around, I'm able to push back, which is definitely an advantage."
McCulloch will look for a third-straight win in Thailand when he travels there for an annual Phuket training camp in June. He hopes to have one more fight before heading there.
He also holds the 58kg Australian Masa title, the 58kg NSW Masa title and the 60kg East Coast Masa title.
His first fight against Jones was at 61.24kg. And his record now stands at 15 wins, two losses and two draws.
