This edition of the Fighting For Autism Blog features the amazing story of a champion in the making named Reese "Cottonmouth" Bailey who is a young gentleman who lives with autism who has captured the hearts and imagination of some of combat sports finest from around the world courtesy of his superstar mum Kari.
Kari, had reached out via social media and the post was shared by UFC Mixed Martial Artist and owner of Miller Martial Arts, Cole Miller, and with the wonders of modern technology and a nudge from Mr Miller, Kari's request to get some birthday greetings for Reese reached people from around the globe.
Kari has managed to get video messages from fighters around the world to try and make Reese's 14th birthday as special as possible, seeing some of the love and support this young gentleman has received has been astonishing to say the very least, birthday greetings from the Voice of the Octagon- Bruce Buffer, UFC President- Dana White and UFC Heavyweight Champion- Stipe Miocic to name but a few of the people who have stepped forward to send some Birthday greetings in Reese's direction.
Reese like many other youngsters around the world, has also done us the honour of becoming a Fighting For Autism Junior Ambassador to help us raise as much autism awareness as possible but also drive for acceptance and inclusion for those living with autism.
Reese's first assignment has been to conduct an interview with one of the Fighting For Autism Fighter Ambassadors, these ambassadors are elite athletes from the combat sports world who have been helping us to raise some much needed Autism Awareness, we asked Reese to carry out an interview with current British B.K.B Bare-knuckle Boxing champion and World Title Contender Daniel "Lionheart" Lerwell.
Daniel "Lionheart" Lerwell is also the proud Dad to Theo who is a superstar of the autistic spectrum, an accomplished martial artist with a black belt 1st Dan in Judo, who has competed in Mixed Martial Arts, but has found major success in B.K.B (Bare-Knuckle Boxing) which has seen him gain the British championship belt and also sees him in the position to challenge for a world title. Daniel has been absolutely amazing in raising autism awareness and often talks about autism in the numerous interviews he has taken part in, he also proudly wears a Fighting For Autism Cap with his son Theo's name on it and in Theo's favourite colours Grey and Blue, saying that Daniel has helped raised the message of autism awareness and acceptance would be an understatement.
When Daniel found out about Reese's story, he was in Abu Dhabi as one of the corner-men for UFC fighter John Phillips, he immediately set out to get some of mixed martial arts finest to send over some birthday greetings to Reese.
Daniel managed to get Birthday greetings from U.F.C rising star Jack Shore and UFC legend Matt Serra, with Matt offering the amazing gesture of a free Jiu Jitsu class with Matt, if Reese is ever in New York City.
Reese's interview with Daniel "Lionheart" Lerwell
1.) What is the favourite match that you've been in?
"My favourite match up that I have been in , it has to be my fight with a guy named C.J Mills in B.K.B (Bare-knuckle boxing) , I was a huge underdog going into the fight and every man and his dog were saying I wasn't going to win the fight,. but I went in there and won the fight by a huge knockout and C.J Mills was fine after it and a very humble guy in defeat" .
2) How do you withstand the pain of getting hit during the fight?
" Ha ha this is a good question, if any fighter tells you they don't feel the pain , then its a lie ! When you are fighting you have adrenaline pumping through you and that helps you not take any notice of the pain , but when that wheres off after the fight then you feel the pain .... so yes I do feel the pain and when fighting I try and ignore it as much as possible and I leave adrenaline kick in".
3) What are your weight cut techniques?
" I don't cut much weight as I have the same day weigh ins , but this i find is better and more healthy for fighters as you can lose the weight gradually in training camp and feel strong going into the fight instead of depleted. Most of the time I up my cardio and eat cleaner" .
4) Who is the hardest opponent that you have ever fought (doesn't matter if you won or lost)?
"Hardest opponent to date that I fought has to be Ricky Nelder in B.K.B (Bare-knuckle boxing) , i could feel that my shots were catching him but he still walked forward with out hesitation, the man is a real life rocky balboa and as tough as nails !!"
5) What's the hardest you've been hit?
"The hardest iv been hit is without a doubt a no brainer , John Phillips when we spar we go pretty hard now and again and even with 16 ounce gloves on he his the hardest puncher I have ever felt . So no one comes close to John . It feels like you getting hit with a brick lol"
"Thank you for my question's Reese , I hope you liked the videos that I sent you i just wish the circumstances were different in Abu Dhabi so I could of got a lot more for you .But don't forget if you are ever in New York pop in to Matt Serra's gym for free Jiu Jitsu lessons . I hope you had a lovely birthday and I wanted to thank you for inspiring me on to fight again, my son is high on the spectrum and without all you warriors I wouldn't be fighting now, so thank you and everyone else so much.
Keep on to your dreams and just remember nothing is impossible, big love to you all . P.S send me size of t shirt you are and ill get one of my very own walk out T- shirts over to you"
Dan Lerwell
(Lionheart)
This is my nephew. He is such an amazing kid. A huge thank you to everyone that has taken time out of their busy schedules to make his entire life. ❤
ReplyDeleteNana here! Thank you everyone who has helped make an amazing birthday for my grandson Reese! Everyone should try and understand Autism!
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