Ageing Bull

AS well as packing his pension, Theo Marsden packs a mean punch.

For the 79-year-old is thought to be the oldest Thai boxer on the planet.

While most people his age are at the bingo or tending to their allotments, the whitehaired warrior is in the gym training with a world-title challenger.

Mr Marsden, of Vane Terrace, Darlington, took up the sport four years ago after he was mugged while backpacking in Ethiopia.

He said: “I have been mugged twice. I didn’t have anything stolen, but I got knocked about a bit, so I thought I should learn some self-defence.

“I do lots of travelling to various parts of the world where it is not so good for tourists.”

He now shares a gym with boxing champion Michael Dicks, who is due to fight world number one J Rajadakorn later this year.

Mr Marsden said: “I have always tried to keep fit and I do not like to think of myself as retired.

“Thai boxing is good for me, mentally and physically. It keeps me alert.

“Some people might think I am too old. People tell me I shouldn’t do a lot of things – I don’t always take notice.”

His trainer, Paul Hamilton, said he had checked with the sport’s governing bodies to see if Mr Marsden was the oldest fighter around.

“Theo is 79 and he trains harder than some of our 20- year-olds,” said Mr Hamilton, of the Darlington Boxing and Martial Arts Academy.

“Theo is certainly the oldest participant in Thai boxing in England. I have also spoken to the World Muaythai Council in Thailand, and apparently he is the oldest person they have registered, so it looks like he’s the oldest in the world.

“People think you have to be young and super-fit to do it, but it is great for people of all ages.

“Theo is a fantastic example to everyone – you are never too old for anything.”

Mr Marsden, a retired Government administrator, said that he has not ruled out following in the footsteps of his gym partner by fighting competitively.

He said: “That all depends on my trainer. The sky is the limit as far as I am concerned.”