Everything is on the line for boxer Manny Vlamis next week.
Retired for two years, the 32-year-old former world seven light heavyweight boxer is getting back into the ring to fight for top rankings one last time.
He’s up against an experienced opponent, Thailand’s Kaitchai Singwancha, an Asia light heavyweight champion.
Right now the nerves will be kicking in as Vlamis has just six days to make weight and get a good game plan sorted.
“My preparation has been very good for this fight, I started out about 10 weeks ago and it’s been pretty consistent,” he tells Neos Kosmos.
“The final week and a half is probably the hardest making weight and getting your mind right. Because it’s closer to the date you’re always thinking about it.”
At the height of his career, Vlamis was fighting and beating the best in the world, and in 14 fights, he’s won 11, and lost three. Out of those 11 wins, eight amazingly were knockouts.
His first two professional fights were up against Australia’s best, Mark Flannigan and Joel Casey from Queensland.
Vlamis beat them both and went on to become the Pan Asian Boxing Association Champion and rank 7th in the World Boxing Association Light heavyweight boxer.
You’d ask yourself why he would put boxing on the backburner in 2012.
“I lost my last fight and I had to sit down and have a bit of a hard think whether I really wanted to give it another go,” he reveals.
“I had other commitments at the same time, in two years I had a break – I bought a house and I settled down with my partner, so there are other things that go on behind the scenes.”
It was the love of the sport that brought him back, and being realistic, Vlamis knows that if he doesn’t succeed, he’ll be hanging up his gloves.
“I’m not 22 years old anymore, I’m 32 and I’ve got a few commitments, but I love the game of boxing,” he says.
Training six times a week, Vlamis is working towards developing a good game plan that’s flexible.
He knows he’ll need a plan B against Singwancha.
“You can usually read fighters a little bit and what they’re going to do and what their strengths are and what their weaknesses are and you’ve got to try and combat those,” he says.
Vlamis’ fight on March 28 is one out of six other fights at the Malvern Town Hall.
Fellow Greek Australian Terry Tzourmanis is up against 20-year-old Thai boxer Manopnoi Singmanasak.
Tzourmanis is defending his Victorian title and wants to challenge for the Australian title.
Both are hoping the Greek Australian community comes and shows their support.
Ultratune boxing, doors open 6.30 pm, first fight 7.30 pm, Malvern Town Hall, 1251 High St, Malvern, VIC. Tickets start from $50. To book visit www.petermaniatis.com
Full list of fights:
Randy Petalcorin (WBA #2) v Lookrak Kiatmungmee
Michael Zerafa v Dechapon Suwunnalird
Manny Vlamis v Kiatchai Singwancha
Terry Tzouramanis v Manopnoi Sinmanasak
Harmonito Dela Torre v Andy Letding
Clint Alderton v Brad Weaire