Sport
17 April, 2026
Fighters knuckle up in ring
TWO Far North Queensland fighters are set to make their bare-knuckle fighting championship debut in Townsville on Saturday 18 April.
Brayden Marzona and Cooper Clarke, who both train out of Pretty Top Team in Cairns, will compete on the internationally recognised promotion’s Townsville card.
Marzona, born and raised in Tully, will face Boaz Kapua. He brings an extensive background into the bout, with 12 Muay Thai fights for 9 wins and 3 losses, and 7 boxing fights for 5 wins and 2 losses.
Currently residing in Townsville, Marzona regularly travels to Cairns to train. Known for his aggressive, forward-pressure style, he has built a strong supporter base across the region.
Brayden’s core message is that “speaking up is a strength, not a weakness. It’s not weak to speak.”
Mr Clarke, who was born and raised in Townsville, will face Ryan Winnet. He relocated to Cairns to train under Pretty Top Teams’ head coach Paul Hosking.
His record includes 10 boxing fights for 6 wins and 3 losses, and 9 Muay Thai fights for 7 wins and 2 losses. In 2025, he went 11 wins and 0 losses for the whole year.
Mr Clarke is known for his evasive and technical style, developed through consistent training and dedication.
According to his coaches, his mindset is all about challenging himself and proving that nothing is too hard to overcome, that with enough heart and drive, anything is possible. Both fighters accepted the chance to compete in bare-knuckle fighting without hesitation when their coach approached them.
