10th of February 2006 Sifu McInnes announced his retirement from coaching professional fighters. Sifu is one of Thailand most decorated instructors in the professional fighting arena. He has coached fighters such as Peter Aerts, Stan the man, Daniel Dawson, Nick Kara, Reme Bojenski, Sakmongkol Sitchuchork, The Tank, Akim , Prince Amir , Manu Ento’s , he built Yodsanan 3k from 14year old to become the WBA world champion 135lbs along with Yodumlung WBA 122lbs world champion. These are just a few to mention. All who have been coached by Sifu cannot deny the passion in which he has while coaching. His bond with his fighters and his tremendous generosity has earnt him a big name in Thailand.
Sifu has received commendations from as high as the crown prince of Thailand, The president of Lumpinee Stadium, The Royal Thai Navy, The Royal Thai Army; He has even been given the key to Pattaya City, not once but three separate occasions for his passion in coaching.
We reporters asked why Sifu has hung up the pads so to speak he replied to these questions:
Craig: What was the most memorable moment while coaching fighters that you had?
Sifu: There have been so many that I would not know where to start.
Craig: Which Fighter is the one you have the most respect for?
Sifu: I am very fussy on whom I teach, but I would like to say I respect all men whom step into the ring as a fighter, that has heart.
Craig: you trained Peter Aerts for a long time, why did you stop?
Sifu: Time… I run some very big companies and the traveling and time you need to put into a fighter is 6 hrs per day or you’re cheating him. With the growth of my company I just couldn’t find the time to travel all over the world with him.
Craig: What’s Peter like as a fighter?
Sifu: He is a dedicated fighter with a great heart and ability. Out of all the people I have trained I think I had the most fun with Peter. He is like family to me. We are in contact all the time. He calls me every time before he enters the stadium. He will always be part of my family.
Craig: Is it true you built Yodsanan up to being a world WBA champ from 14 years old.
Sifu: Yes he lived in my house, I put him through school, and I held pads and sparred with him myself for 10 years. We had a no loss record all the way to becoming the WBA world champ; he held the crown for 3 years. Then politics got involved and everyone started to play games like they do in the world of boxing, I could not bare to watch what was happening to him. You see I was not the manager, I was only his trainer. So I let him go, I did not want to watch his dream go down hill especially after all the hours and years I spent with him.
Craig: Is that why you stopped getting involved with boxing?
Sifu: Not really, I believe if you cannot give 100% don’t do it. With my business commitments it’s a little hard to do that now.
Craig: Have you ever got involved in UFC?
Sifu: Not really, I trained Pedro Rizzo (The Rock) for a while. Man he is a great guy. Peter and Pedro are like brothers to me.
Craig: so what are your plans for the future?
Sifu: For me my love is traditional martial arts. I will be putting all my efforts into the building up of my traditional schools in New Zealand, Thailand and around the world.
Craig: Do you think you will ever leave Thailand.
Sifu: This is my home, my family and friends are here, I am accepted into the community and have made a successful life here. My school is one of the biggest in Thailand, I don’t think I will ever leave here, I love the Asian way of life.
Craig: Thank you Sifu, its has been an honor talking with you.
We in the fight world and Thailand will never forget what you have done for the sport and fighters, they all say you are a hard man but a man with a heart, we wish you all the success in the future.
