Worsfold on the Warpath

A rejuvenated Ben "Warpath" Worsfold feels his last loss has made him a more dangerous fighter ahead of his clash with Malaysian Mat Ropi in Perth.

Worsfold (18-9) and Ropi will headline Ignition Muaythai at John Forrest High School on Sunday, an event hosted by Muay Thai Australia president Peter Boyd.

Malaysian Muaythai Association president Dato' Shanaz Azmi will join Boyd ringside for a card featuring several Malaysian athletes.

It could be the last hit-out for some of Azmi’s fighters ahead of the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur next month.

Ropi is a highly-rated member of the national team and a veteran at the age of 26.

He's more of a technician than a brawler but he has the power to end fights with a single strike.

It's a tough test for Worsfold, the WKA state junior welterweight champion, but he’s raring to go after a gruelling loss to Thai veteran Khumsab in April.

"Fighting someone like Khumsab was totally different," Worsfold, 27, told Fighting Words.

"The way he moved and his timing was ridiculous.

"I landed a few things on him here and there but I couldn't land like I wanted to. When I thought I had him, he wasn’t there.

"I realised I was getting taught a lesson at the time."

Worsfold lost to Khumsab on points but those five rounds could prove important in his development.

The Thai's timing and kicking prowess left an impression.

"The way Khumsab fought, baiting you into techniques and countering, it takes you to a new level as well," Worsfold said.

"Ever since that fight I've been hitting bags differently, moving differently and sparring differently."

"It made me think I need to practice a couple of things and it’s made me think ahead a lot more."

The WA Thai Boxing Centre product mounted an unsuccessful challenge for the WKA Australian title in November after a year away from the sport.

Since then he has won three fights and lost one - to Khumsab.

Boyd is his coach at the WATBC in Bayswater.

"His attitude towards training and moving in the ring has changed drastically since that fight," Boyd said.

"Because he’s the state champion the idea of him fighting these international guys is to raise his standard.

"He’s always had the skills and at this point it becomes a mental game as well."

Ignition Muaythai - Sunday, July 16 at John Forrest High School, Morley

Ben Worsfold (WATBC) v Mat Ropi (Malaysia) 63.5kg

Brandon Kingston (WATBC) v Lukas Sayer (Diesel gym) 67kg

David Deves (Champions Gym) v Jay Hughes (Ekelboom MT) 67kg

Kayliegh Wainwright (WATBC) v Rhian Shepard (Westside) 58kg

Dave Barnsley (CNS) v Mitchel Walker (Diesel Gym) 75kg

Joe Collins (MMA247) v Shanon Beardon (Mandurah MT) 87kg

Lauren Hawkins (AMMA) v Thalia Matene (FFC) 58kg

Marcus Gomes (Bailey fight) v Dave Flanagan (Kao Sok) 64.5kg

Jacob Growcott (Kalamunda KB) v Kyle Groves (ECMMA) 55kg

Jacinta Sims (CNS) v Grace Jackson (Kao Sok) 56kg

Taryn Dyer (Evolve MA) v Jasmin Bascombe (Kao Sok) 69kg

Kiara Sims (CNS) v Kaitlyn George (ECMMA) 50kg