Underdog preparing to unleash in MMA match- up
BY HIS own admission Townsville’s Beau Luxford prefers to be an underdog, but the tough- as- nails MMA fighter will embrace his home fans at tomorrow’s 50th instalment of Brace for War.
The mixed martial arts showpiece hits Townsville for the first time since 2013 and will be headlined by the bantamweight championship showdown between local hope Edwin “El Bomba” Arana and in- form Filipino challenger Luke Catubig.
A cross- town derby will also take place during tomorrow night’s card at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre, with former soldier Aden Hawke fighting fellow Townsville combatant Kris Spence.
There will be no shortage of euphoria and heartache, and Luxford has been training day and night to make sure he experiences the former.
Luxford, 29, has four professional MMA fights to his name and is one of the humblest fighters going around.
Taking him on is rising Sydney talent Ben Watson ( 4 wins, 1 loss), who comes with a level of confidence some say borders on arrogance.
Not that Luxford is paying any attention to the brash city slicker.
“When it comes to a fight I try and keep a clear head and not think about anything,” Luxford said, who has lost his past two fights by submission.
“I never spend too much time fo- cusing on my about myself.
“When I get into that cage I always try and think that I’m shadow boxing.”
Like Hawke, his comrade from Courage Training Centre, Luxford is a former member of the ADF and was posted to Townsville from Sydney in 2009.
He has since left the military but remained in Townsville after deciding it was the perfect home to raise his four kids.
“The training part is what I love, competing is just a bonus,” Luxford said.
“I’ve fought in Townsville once and that was in boxing, so this is my first MMA fight here.
“Usually I like fighting away from home as the underdog, that gives me a opponent, it’s more leg up tation.
“But a lot of guys from our gym will be there on Saturday and I want to fight well in front of them and win.”
The night’s card also features a “State of Origin” showdown between Cairns fighter Jamie Renouf and Newcastle’s Ben Mason, and a knockout finish appears in store between Jye Wyllkie ( Rockhampton) and Cameron Rowston ( Sydney) in the 84kg division.
A Kudo bout – a hybrid version of MMA, karate and international sport – is also part of the night’s action, along with a sub grabble bout between Brazilian jujitsu purple belts Keith Jennings and Nathan Carter
Tomorrow night’s event start from 7pm and tickets can be purchased at the door or online at tecc. net. au because there’s less expec-