Mark, congrats! I trained along side with Steve at the World Famous Fairtex camp. I am very proud of Steve. Fairtex just posted a story about Steve's S-1 Championship with pics at http://www.fairtex.com/news/news_view.php?n_id=144

Fairtex’s very own, Steve Wakeling Wins the 2005 S-1 Championship Title!
by FTX

Steve Wakeling took the S-1 Tournament invitation on a very short notice to fight on August 12, 2005 at the Royal Ceremony Fairground in Bangkok, Thailand.

Steve, initially at 78kg, had only two days to loose the extra 6kgs (approximately 13.5 lbs) to come down to the tournament weight of 72kg. Under the intense coaching of Bart van der Molen, Executive Manager of Fairtex Sports Club and Resort in Pattaya, and that of Mr. Philip Wong, Founder and Chairman of Fairtex Group, Stephen was able to make weight and be in his prime condition at fight day. However, Steve considered the underdog and is unknown by key Muaythai promoters and fight circuits.

The S-1 Tournament is an 8 man Tournament fought in 3 rounds of 3 minute round. The event was televised live on Thai Channel 3 TV.

Steve was one of the first to fight that night against Sergey Makogonov from Belarus. Sergey is a very strong fighter with good hands. Sergey started out very aggressive and strong, making it difficult for Steve in round 1. Initially, it looked as if Sergey had dominated the fight and would go on to the semi-final after round 2. However, in round 3, Sergey was running out of gas. Steve came into the ring with the determination to stay in the tournament and dominated Sergey, punishing him with knees and cut him with an elbow to win by points.

On the semi-final fight, Steve fought against Arslan Mongomedov from Russia. Arslan had recently sky rocketed to fame by beating Australian’s John Wayne Parr. However, tonight would prove different as the new kid on the block has something to prove. Steve controlled the fight and cut Arslan with an elbow in round 3 to win by points.

The final was the best fight of the tournament. Steve fought against Phairoj Vor. Varaphol from Changthai Thailand Gym. Phairoj was the more experienced and skilled fighter of the two. Phairoj is a former Suk Songchai Muaythai Super Star. Phairoj is the crowd’s favorite, having beaten Alex Dally during the quarter final and Jan Mazur on the semi-final. Steve started out strong and took Phairoj by a surprise landing an elbow. Phairoj came back in the second round with hard and strong kicks and punches. In round 3, the two came to a clinch. Phairoj dropped his head and Stephen with the height advantage attacked Phairoj with a left knee high to the head to win the S-1 Tournament. Phairoj was out cold. The crowd went wild as Steve ran around to celebrate his S-1 Championship victory!

Steve wins the purse of 500,000 Thai Baht (approximately US$13,000). Steve credits his win from his hard work and training at Fairtex Muaythai Fitness in Bangplee-Thailand and at Scorpion Gym in UK. He also credits the support from his Fairtex trainers, Mr. Wong, Mr. Ralph Beale, Mr. Anthony Lin, teammates, friends, family and father. Steve is also the WMC World Champion and will be contending for the WBC Muaythai Title soon.