Titus Proctor wins WBC Muay Thai world title in Mt Maunganui showdown

Titus Proctor, 21, won the WBC Muay Thai World Super Middleweight title against England’s Daniel Bonner at Mt Maunganui. Photo / Combat Sports Network

Kickboxing world champion Titus Proctor, of Hamilton, has won his second world title.

Proctor, 21, won the WBC Muay Thai World Super Middleweight title against England’s Daniel Bonner at Mt Maunganui at the weekend, making him the first New Zealand male to win the title.

UK-born New Zealander Michelle Preston won the title in 2017.

Proctor took on Bonner, who held the WBC Muay Thai World Super Middleweight and WMO Muay Thai World Light Heavyweight titles.

This was a significant risk for Proctor as Bonner was very experienced, having 49 fights to his name, 41 wins and 8, now 9, losses.

Proctor dominated throughout the fight, landing knockdowns in every round until the fight stopped in the final round of round five.

In a release after the fight, New Zealand combat sports analyst and City Kickboxing striking coach Mike Angove said the win against Bonner was significant for Proctor’s development.

“[What] impressed me most was his ability to dig deep, adapt, and still have fight-ending power in the fifth round.

“Going almost the full five rounds was crucial for his development.”

Angove said winning a WBC world title at the age of “only 21″ and having a record of 22-0 was “a massive achievement”.

Tihipuke Muay Thai head coach Daryl Dawson said Proctor had to work for his win.

“Bonner made him think, adjust, and earn every moment.

“Titus showed power, yes, but he also showed patience, resilience, and the ability to stay dangerous late in the fight. These are the performances that develop world-class fighters.”

Proctor said it was the kind of fight he needed.

“Bonner was experienced, tough, and came to keep his belt. He pushed me in ways I haven’t been pushed before.

“Getting the WBC title means everything, but what matters just as much is how much I learned.

“There’s a lot of growth ahead for me, and I’m staying focused.”

On social media, Bonner congratulated Proctor.

“Titus hits incredibly hard and was just the superior fighter ...

“I had my moments where the fight looked to swing but the difference was the power. Congratulations to him and his team.”

Proctor said he is now getting ready for the international fight series ONE Lumpinee in Thailand again, while Bonner hinted at retirement.

“I know when I do hang my gloves up (and it’s not far away) I know I can be proud I took on all challenges and every challenger possible,” Bonner said on social media.

“I’m very fortunate to have experienced what I have in sport. Most retire with nothing to show for it but I’ve achieved more than most.”

Benjamin Watt is a retired boxing judge and New Zealand boxing writer with a decade of experience. Watt has also been BoxRec’s New Zealand record-keeper since 2014.