The ascent of emerging muay thai fighter Josh “Aladdin the Baby Faced Assassin” McCulloch has continued after he notched the fourth win of his fledgling career and in the process secured his first belt.
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The Year 11 Tamworth High School student won a unanimous points decision over a fellow 17-year-old at Wollongong on Saturday night to claim the Fight for Autism state belt - a junior “charity” title.
On November 17, McCulloch will contest the interstate Fight for Autism senior title against Darwin’s Robert Nguyen at Toukley.
Nguyen, who has had five fights, is aged in his 20s. But McCulloch’s trainer, Scott Chaffey, has no qualms about matching his young charge against an adult.
“I wouldn’t have Josh competing up in the adults if I didn’t think he could well and truly take care of himself,” he said.
McCulloch has two losses and a draw in his seven-fight career, and Chaffey is pleased with the youngster’s development.
“We went into [Saturday’s] fight with a very good game plan and everything we asked him to do he was able to get done,” Chaffey said.
“Josh’s opponent was a southpaw, so we created a game plan around that.
“His strongest weapon at the moment is clinching and grappling. And other than that, he’s just a very good all round fighter.”
Following the November fight, Chaffey hopes to take McCulloch to Queensland for his first interstate fight ahead of his overseas debut.
McCulloch will train in Phuket, Thailand, for two weeks next year and fight a Thai.
