We at In Travel Group were lucky enough to recently have a brief chat with Australia’s number one featherweight boxer, Nathaniel ‘Cheeky’ May. The 22-year-old Indigenous fighter, originally from Bunbury in Western Australia, is on the rapid rise to the top – with hopes of having a crack at the world title in 2019. Despite his fearsome reputation in the ring, we found Cheeky to be nothing but humble and polite when we spoke to him while he was on a break and enjoying NAIDOC Week from his West Oz home.
On the topic of boxing, May sounds super laidback about training with one of the world’s greatest ever boxing trainers, Freddie Roach, who has worked with the likes of Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao, to name just a few.
“I’m based full time in LA now and, yeah, I’m training with Roachie over there,” says May.
“It’s a great opportunity to be with him. He takes you in, trains you; I think I can learn more from him in one session than I have before in two years. He’s like a walking dictionary of boxing.”
When it comes to travel, May is a big fan of the sunshine state.
“I love Queensland, to be honest,” says May.
“Brisbane is an awesome city and I always really like going there. I had a couple of big fights over there. At one point I was over there every second week.”
In chatting about his position as a leader for other Indigenous people, especially the young ones who are up and coming, Cheeky seems to take this job quite seriously.
“Us blackfellas, we have it hard, we’re always looked down upon,” says May.
“I believe I am a role model and I’m showing kids where this path can take them.
I’ve always been told to follow you heart, you know, and dream big and don’t let anyone take it away from you.”
The whole team here at In Travel Group is behind Cheeky May and wish him well on his journey to conquering the highest peak of the boxing world. It has to be one of the toughest sports on the planet, and his dedication and discipline are simply incredible. We’re all in awe of his talents and wish him all the best on his way.
