By LIAM TWOMEY
SIMON Coutsouvelis had no intention of being a world-beater. When he first walked through the doors of the Werribee Kickboxing gym, it was just about improving his fitness.
What he didn’t count on was building a partnership with one of the Western Suburbs’ legendary kick-boxing trainers, Ange Pagnoccolo.
Over the past seven years, the pair have fought tooth and nail to take Coutsouvelis all the way to the top.
“It took eight months from the moment I started to the moment I stepped in the ring,” Coutsouvelis said.
“I trained every single day for eight months. I was there every night and just loved it.
“Ange has been amazing. I’ve gone from knowing nothing and he has shown me everything.”
Pagnoccolo said he gave Coutsouvelis no hope of getting in the ring when he first came across him, but was rapt to see the progress his star pupil had made.
“Simon came to me about six or seven years ago,” he said.
“The first two weeks he trained with me he said, ‘I want to get in the ring.’ I said to my partner, ‘no way this kid is going to get into the ring. No way at all’,” Pagnoccolo said.
“After a few months of training, he never missed a night and then I started saying, this guy has got to get in the ring. He deserves to get in the ring.
“Even since that first night, he has just been absolutely amazing.”
The rise from rookie to champion for Coutsouvelis has seen him claim both Victorian and Australian titles.
His first Victorian Title came in 2007 while his most recent Australian Title (one of three) was earlier this year.
As well as working with Pagnoccolo, Coutsouvelis is also sponsored by Platinum Fitness.
Despite seeming a natural in the ring from the moment he started, Coutsouvelis, who fights in the 66kg category, said the transition from training to fighting had been a tough one to make.
“It took a lot to get used to,” he said.
“Even now I consider myself to be a pretty awkward fighter. I’m not your standard fighter to watch.
“It was very weird and very daunting at the start. The fact you cop a hit and actually hitting someone as well, that is really not in my nature.”
There are no plans to slow down for Coutsouvelis, who will compete in Adelaide next month.
A win for the Hoppers Crossing resident could open the door to a number of possible fights both in Australia and overseas.
“I think Simon can go all the way and become a world champion,” Pagnoccolo said.
“He has already got three Australian titles and he just won the K1 Welter Weight Title. For someone who I thought was never going to fight, the dedication he has to the sport is amazing. That commitment and work ethic is why he is where he is now.”
As well as training Coutsouvelis, Pagnoccolo is still running training sessions out of his Loop Street base.
He encouraged anyone interested in taking up kick-boxing to stop by for a class.
