NAME              Amanda McWilliams             NATIONALITY  English                  GYM                Mersey Thai                TRAINER          Paul Beaty AGE                 25       WEIGHT           50kg                                        CHAMPIONS    UKMF North West Area Amanda McWilliams was not a particularly early starter at Muay Thai, beginning training at the age of 21 in 2006 and having her first interclub in Summer 2007. She has not had things easy in her Muay Thai career: like many women fighters she has found a shortage of opponents has meant being over-matched at times and being only 4 foot 11 has been a problem against what she calls ‘rangy’ fighters. There was no sign of this in her North West Area title fight against Jade Sandland at Bolton in December 2010. Jade, talented and decidedly taller than Amanda, spent a very uncomfortable five rounds being punished at close quarters by a stronger, more determined and technically capable fighter. The verdict in Amanda’s favour was a formality. Amanda’s record before the title fight was not impressive on the surface (3 wins in 8 fights), but in her very first fight she was matched with the talented and much more experienced Emma Beeps Bragg. Not surprisingly Emma won (‘by miles’, according to Amanda), but, when they were matched again, the decision was much closer. Amanda has also been matched twice with the excellent Lauren Humphreys of Phoenix, again two defeats according to the judges, though Amanda disagrees. Always ready to concede that she deserved to lose (including the first fight with Lauren), in this case she thinks she deserved to win in one of her hardest fights. Before the Sandland title fight, Amanda had gained victories over three sound opponents: Jackie Gee, Wendy Bake and Natasha Sweeney. Amanda is a good example of a person who has found strength from Muay Thai. Amazingly and very sadly, in January 2007, when she was training for Muay Thai without any great involvement, three friends of hers died. Greater commitment followed to help take her mind of this. Now, nearly four years later, she has really made the breakthrough as a champion. Opportunity to get sponsorship!!! All boxers who wear Hero Sporto' shorts are invited to send in pictures for the Hero Hall of Fame. All are welcome to email us with requests for sponsorship in any event. <<- - Back to Main Hall of Fame Menusd