Kickboxer Robert Ngari Dean, who lives in Balclutha but works at OceanaGold’s Macraes mine north of Dunedin, took a step closer to title glory at the latest King in the Ring event in Auckland last Saturday.
Having been a losing quarter- and semifinalist at the past two events, Dean upped the ante at the weekend, battling hard to make it to the final, before losing in two rounds to Australian MMA fighter Cameron Rowston.
Dean (32) said although he had originally planned to transition from fighting to training at his new Balclutha outfit Riverside Kickboxing Academy on reaching 30, Covid-19 had intervened.
"I didn’t plan to fight past 30, but Covid popped in. That delayed title fights I’d targeted, then I was making progress in King in the Ring, so I’m still here."
Having come so close this year, Dean — who, at about 85kg and 180cm, straddles middleweight and cruiserweight classes — said he would give it what would likely be a final shot at the next event, again in Auckland, in June.
"I’ve been lucky to have had 13, 14 years of fighting with no real injuries — although I did cut my thumb off at work — and it’s time to give a little back through training and bringing on talent.
"As a kid I got into trouble with the police sometimes, and kickboxing taught me self-discipline. Being punched in the face a couple of times soon puts you right.
"We’re a fighting nation, with the world champion pro UFC [Israel Adesanya] and amateur MMA [Fergus Jenkins] middleweight fighters both Kiwis right now. I believe there are hundreds of young world class fighters out there who just don’t know it yet."
Working 12-hour shifts week on/week off at Macraes meant an unconventional schedule for Dean, who trained under Team Hammerhead in Mosgiel.
"I’m lucky to have several places and people that help me out both in Dunedin and Balclutha. It’s a matter of just scheduling things pretty tight and sticking to it."
Off weeks at home in Balclutha meant he could combine training with family time, spent with wife Willow and the couple’s three school-age children.
"Willow, my gyms and so many people do so much to help out.
"Big events take their toll, with training and recovery, but I really want to win this one for Dunedin, Balclutha and Otago. It was bittersweet to lose in the final, but I’ll be back again in June for another crack."
