Finglas fighter aims for the big time

AARON Browne claims he “couldn’t kick over a can of Coke” when he first walked into Santry’s Chaiyo Gym two and a half years ago.

Now, the Finglas native is one of the most decorated Muay Thai kickboxers in the country. While Ireland might be unfamiliar with this combat sport, Browne has quickly established a reputation as one of the nation’s best in the field.

Browne insists his success is the product of constant hard work. After only training for six months, he had already fought four times.

“I was fighting every two or three weeks,” he reveals. “It was brilliant because my trainer was pushing me on so much I was able to do it. I was thrown in at the deep end and every opportunity that I got, I rose above it.”

Since then, Browne has fought throughout Ireland as well as abroad, picking up a number of titles including the Irish K1 Amateur Belt, the Contender Promotions title and the WLF Intercontinental Championship.

Involving the use of punches, kicks, elbows and knees, there’s no denying the amount of technique needed to excel in Muay Thai. Aaron may have mastered the skills, but he puts his success down to his supreme energy and willingness to push the pace of any fight.

“My clinch work is brilliant and I have a big engine,” he says. “If you get someone who’s half-arsed going in against me, I’m going to run them down eventually.”

However, not every step has been perfect for the 23-year-old. Losing his CMT (Caged Muay Thai) title last year was definitely a setback, but it hasn’t deterred Browne.

“You put your hands up at the end of the day when you are beaten,” he admits. “It’s not my style to make excuses.”

Having since gone back to his winning ways in his last two bouts, there is plenty that awaits Browne in his career. As well as looking forward to becoming a father in April, the talented Northsider will be fighting at the Curragh Legends event in Ashbourne this May, an event he is organising alongside trainer Tommy Maher.

With Browne also considering competing in Mixed Martial Arts given the meteoric rise of the sport, there is plenty of prospects for the young fighter.

For now, though, Browne plans to continue pursuing Muay Thai glory, adding to his impressive collection of championships while collecting his winnings along the way.

“The dream is to be getting a pay check the same as McGregor’s,” he says. “Money is more or less what drives me. I have a daughter on the way, so I have to put the bread and butter on the table.

“Success means everything at the moment. I will drop everything to make sure that this works. I’ve put too much into it now for it not to.”

Daniel O’Connor