Joe Nader answers 20 questions for International Kickboxer Magazine. Read on to find out more about the man behind Powerplay Promotions.
1. What would you be doing if you weren’t a promoter?
I couldn’t think of anything else because I have been involved in this sport for 37 years.
2. Do you have any superstitions when fighting?
None at all.
3. What is the most embarrassing thing you’ve done during a promotion/fight night?
After having a quick shower and putting on my suit at the State Netball and Hockey Centre I had to rush to centre ring to make my speech, but as I was finishing my speech I noticed one of my sponsors pointing at me. I was trying to work out what he was trying to tell me, so I looked down and yes! My zip was down. How does one try to do up their zip in front of thousands of people without getting noticed? I just left it and folded my jacket over and I got through it. There were a few jokes thrown at me after the show, which was funny.
4. What is a surprising fact about you?
I have 10 God Children.
5. How would someone close to you describe you?
My fiancé calls me a grumpy old man.
6. What is one thing you are good at (apart from fighting)?
Chilling on the couch watching the footy — I also make the best Bolognese.
7. Favourite fighter?
Muhammad Ali.
8. Favourite food?
Mum’s cooking.
9. Favourite drink?
Hill Of Grace wine
10. Favourite tunes?
I’m a self confessed Pink Floyd nut.
11. Favourite TV show?
Love documentaries.
12. Favourite movie?
To many to choose from (Pulp Fiction).
13. Dream girl?
My fiancé Demi.
14. Dream wheels?
I have a Mercedes 64 model, two-door coupe sitting in my garage which needs a little attention. Or the Mercedes Gullwing — full of class.
15. Dream bout?
Retirement.
16. What can’t you stand?
People who don’t keep their word.
17. Best fight memory?
Watching the likes of Peter Aerts, Ernesto Hoost etc. in Japan while I was cornering Sam Greco.
18. Biggest/best break you ever got?
Still waiting for it!
19. In 10 years I’ll be…
Married with two kids.
20. What piece of advice would you give to an up and coming fighter?
Grasp every opportunity while you can, your fight career is too short to waste.
Toby Smith announced himself to the world at Powerplay 24 over the
weekend, TKOing Aussie Muay Thai legend ‘John’ Wayne Parr in the third
round of their highly-anticipated match at the Melbourne Pavilion.
Smith pressed forward the entire fight, worrying JWP with nasty elbows
and close-in knee strikes. Backing JWP up against the ropes in the
third, ‘The Weapon’ Smith connected with a vicious short elbow that
fractured the legend’s orbital bone and crumpled him to the canvas where
he was counted-out by the referee.
Powerplay Promotions brings you another action packed evening of K1 and Muay Thai with Jason Scerri vs Brad Riddel as the main event. Stacked under card of explosive talent including Steve Baldacchino, Abbas Ahmadi, Cobie Brigham, Simon Coutsouvelis and Rob Minnitti to name a few!
DJ Ruby Rose has won a charity boxing match after just three months of training against a fighter with only two years’ experience.
Rose went head to head with lightweight Yi Sia at Moonie Valley racecourse tonight.
She won all three of the two-minute rounds on points and was announced as the winner, 60 to 44, by referee Bryce Birtwistle.
After the amateur fight, Rose told the Herald Sun she jumped at the chance to learn how to box after being invited to take part in the event, which raised money for youth mental health foundation Headspace.
”There’s a lot celebrities can do for charity, like Dancing with the Stars but I’m not much of a dancer,” Rose said.
Rose who has battled with alcohol addiction said she would never forget the experience.
”This Saturday coming up is my one year of being sober and it feels incredible and I’ve just had my first amateur boxing match,” Rose said.
”It’s crazy. A year and a half ago, I couldn’t have done this,” Rose said.
Rose said she trained for two to three hours a day for the past two months.
”I went up against a boxer whose been boxing for two years and she was a delight, really great to box with.
”She really put me through the works.”
A sufferer of depression in her teenage years, Rose has been a long-time ambassador for the foundation.
She said she would be keen to compete in a similar event.