Ford Gerbes is fast becoming a force to be reckoned in New Zealand kickboxing circles.
The 38-year-old, won his pro fight at the Shuriken Fight Series 24 in Auckland last month.
Fighting in the featherweight division in only his second pro fight, the talented Fight-Fit Fitness gym owner took a mere 24 seconds to nab a round one win.
Gerbes said he didn’t mind the match being over so fast, as he was there to make statement on the world stage and to open doors for himself and his team of fighters.
‘‘I was happy to get my name and my gym’s name out there. I was really happy with how I went.”
‘‘I like being in the ring, as weird as it sounds, it gives me a sense of belonging and meaning to my life.”
Despite his success Gerbes remains humble.
He said winning trophies was great, but that’s only a small part.
‘‘You have to move on after a win, the job’s not over.”
Kickboxing is quite a complex sport, he said.
People think it is all aggression and little else; but that was not true.
“To succeed in the ring, you need to have respect, control and discipline.”
‘‘It’s about ‘staying in the purple’, red is anger with aggression and blue is too relaxed, so purple is the middle ground.”
Gerbes opened his gym in Ashburton seven years ago.
He said he had to have faith in himself, push past his limits, and forge his own training and teaching systems.
‘‘I wanted to create a gym where people of all ages could come and find fitness and support.”
Boxer Fletcher Berends has been a member for about a year.
The 21-year-old said with Gerbes’ help he was working towards entering the boxing ring for the first time later in the year.
‘‘I have learnt to honour those who I have lost and I want to make my whānau proud,” Berends said.
Gerbes said he saw young people arrive who were closed up and lacking in confidence, but over time their heads lifted and self-belief grew.
Written on the gym wall are the words; respect, discipline, courage, focus and control.
‘‘These values and attitudes then transfer into everyday life,” Gerbes said.
