Marcel Gaines knew at a very early age that he was different. Fascinated by the athletic abilities of the human body, he discovered he was faster, stronger and more precise than others.

 

While both of his parents were athletically gifted, it’s actually his mother that taught him how to throw his first punch. With his father leaving the family when Marcel was only 5, he was thrust into a protective role that required him to put his gifts and newfound skills to frequent use.

 

Born in Durban, South Africa but raised in Capetown, Marcel Gaines quickly discovered the grittier side of life and swore to protect his family by any means necessary.

 

 

After a grueling initiation to Shaolin Kung Fu at the age of 16, Marcel ended up traveling to England at age 18 and while working in construction discovered Muay Thai boxing. A true turning point in his life, the discovery that he had 8 limbs to strike with created an obsession and quest for personal excellence that drives Marcel to this day.

 

With a great base of Muay Thai from his experience training in Plymouth, England, Marcel Gaines returned back to South Africa at age 21. While continuing to pursue his academic education, Marcel basically wiped out the Muay Thai competition in the country, literally running out of opponents willing to fight him.

 

 

Eager to see how he would fare against international competition, Marcel left life as he knew it and decided to begin a pro career in Thailand in 2012. Training at the legendary Tiger Muay Thai gym in Phuket, Marcel was quickly singled out as a unique specimen. After a humbling phase of initiation, Marcel started his reign of terror with an impeccable 10-0 streak with 9 straight knockouts.

 

But as the saying goes, “live by the sword, die by the sword”. Between a grueling routine of frequent fights and incessant hard-nosed training, the injuries began to take their toll. The multitude of concussions led to disturbing vision and memory issues. And about 9 months ago, it culminated in a life threatening brain and eye hemorrhage, in an account that absolutely has to be heard to be believed.

 

 

Defying the odds, the doctors and the advice of family and friends, Marcel painstakingly recovered and hesitantly returned to the ring. And in a most ironic turn of events, he came back as an even better fighter with new twists to his game that defy rational thinking!

 

Marcel Gaines believes Muay Thai is a game of inches, percentages and lines. And the line of self-discovery and risk is the only way forward.

 

Marcel Gaines can be followed at the following links on social media:

 

Facebook & Instagram.