Idris Elba, whose kickboxing journey is documented in a TV series, isn’t fazed by getting “hurt” during his first fight in October.
|||Idris Elba is to have his first professional kickboxing bout in October.
The 44-year-old actor took up the combat sport to stay in shape but has decided to take his hobby to the next level and actually get into the ring for a fight and is travelling to Thailand for the fight.
Idris accepts he could get hurt when he steps between the ropes but he feels as though he's ready to test himself.
In an interview with Australia's Daily Telegraph newspaper, he revealed: "It has been my dream to fight in a ring properly. It is not fake, I might get hurt but ultimately I have trained for it and I like to fight."
During training, the 'Thor: Ragnarok' star has already bust his nose a "couple of times" and he hopes his nasal injuries aren't too noticeable as he needs to stay looking his best for his big screen roles.
He added: "I've busted my nose a couple of times but hopefully it doesn't show. Keeping fit is important to me as part of my work and I always used to train back in the day as just a kickboxer before I was acting and now I am on this massive journey."
'Idris Elba: Fighter', a new docu-series following his kickboxing journey, is produced by Shine North and Elba's company Green Door Pictures. It will begin airing on Discovery Networks International channels in early 2017.
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In August, Elba shared a shirtless picture of himself online with the words: "Cutting weight, two days before first fight, mind in the right place. Fear NO guy (sic)."
According to a press release shared that month: "This is no act. There is no script. This fight is real as are the potential repercussions."
Despite being one of the most sought after actors in the world, Idris is always looking for the next challenge and works as a DJ all over the world and has launched his own clothing line with fashion company Superdry.
#IdrisElbaFighter coming 2017... pic.twitter.com/Gv8iV8iI5h
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) August 23, 2016
Bang Showbiz