The version of Internet Explorer that you are using is outdated and not officially supported by this site. We heavily suggest upgrading to a more modern browser using one of these links:
Firefox, IE, Opera, Safari or Google Chrome. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us.
NOTICE:
Currently, you have Javascript disabled. Many of the features on this site require Javascript in order to function. It is highly recommended for you to enable Javascript in order to use this site to its fullest. For more info, please contact us.
I have always wondered how a title is contested or challenged in Muay Thai.
There's loads of belts out there especially at Amateur level so i was just curious how a fighter challenges a title holder or how they earn that title shot.
There are loads of great fighters out there that are probably worthy of a shot but if they feel anything like myself, wouldn't even know where to start to challenge for a title.
Do you have to align yourself to associations such as WKA or ISKA?
If some of the club owners on here who have champions in their gym could shed some light on this grey area much appreciate it.
Most of them don't earn a shot. Sanctioning bodies generally will give anybody a title shot if a promoter is willing to pay the fees. Credibility is rarely something that is considered
You can actually get a world title fight sanctioned if you ask the TV presenter to ask the World champion at a press conference the day before you are due to fight him for a non title fight.
I'd recommend going directly to the organisation the title belongs to, write them a letter requesting a title challenge, enclosing your offer, then taking it from there. Alternatively, go direct to the title holders coaches and challenge. If they refuse, go to option one again.
To earn an Amateur title at area level you'd either have to challenge the champion or both opponents need to have had a certain amount of wins.
That's in the ISKA anyway. Some divisions are less competitive and you can get an Area title at Amateur level with 3 wins. However anyone with less than 3 wins has no business challenging for a title.
Kick/Thai has made a rod for its own back.
Titles need to be active in order to keep the champions active. Costs are sometimes prohibitive. Champions refusing challengers is a big issue, or pricing themselves out. I think WRSA (i may be wrong here so correct me if i am) have a policy whereby anyone can challenge a champion's title as it encourages stimulation within the titles/division. I think though that mandatory challenges should be made too, and those should be insisted upon by the sanctioning body.
But back to the original post: It seems that if a title's vacant, the organisations will give to anyone in the top-10 who'll pay the fees.