SHOWBIZ maybe his bread and butter, but Derek Ramsay is first and foremost, an athlete by heart.
No wonder, at an age nearing 40, Derek is still able to maintain a physique fit for elite athletes.
The Fil-British actor, model and host, was a competitive ball player, having played briefly with commercial squad Blu Detergent in the now-defunct Philippine Basketball League before he was lured to the glitz and glamour of show business.
But even while he’s slowly making a name for himself in the entertainment world, sports still runs in his veins. Having influenced by the growing popularity of the UFC’s Royce Gracie era, Derek, in fact seriously considered fighting in the Ultimate Reality Combat Championship, the country’s first professional mixed martial arts tournament.
This corner caught up with the most sought-after celebrity hunk during the launch of Tough X Rough, TV5’s newest extreme series, at the Greenfield Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
“Oh yes, I almost fought in the URCC. All my friends were into it. I was training with Orlando Dulay and even joined his corner in his first and only fight in the URCC,” admitted Derek, who will host the Canada-based program, the country’s first international obstacle course series that will also serve as the only Asian Qualifier for the World Championship in Ontario Canada in October.
But hectic showbiz commitments prevented Derek from going into full-time training.
But as a true-blue athlete, Derek knows the importance of discipline and focus.
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As an ardent follower of combat sports, Derek has a lot to say about the MMA.
“My favorite fighter of all time, he’s somebody new. Let’s take out his personality outside the ring. I admire Connor Macgregor,” he said.
Mcgreggor is currently the UFC featherweight champion and is going for a second division title as he faces off with title holder Rafael Dos Anjos.
“He (Connor) knows that this is his job, he makes a lot of money from it, he just doesn’t run his mouth, I don’t like that he runs his mouth, but whatever he says, he backs it up.”
Derek also gives a premium to clean living outside the cage.
“You have great champions that lost it because of the stupidity and recklessness outside the sport. (Jon) Bones Jones threw his career away, he’s making his comeback now but doesn’t look like the Bones Jones back in the day.”
“He (Jones) is at the top of the game, when you’re on top of your game, it’s hard to stay up there because of many bad influences that can direct you to other path and this (McGregor) guy’s is so focused.”
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In boxing, Derek admires Mayweather a lot.
“I won’t say what I think of him outside the ring, but we have to respect what he’s done inside the ring. Some people don’t like his fighting style but that’s boxing. He’s good at it, the only reason why he’s good at it is because he is totally dedicated to boxing when he is competing.”
Up to this day, Derek remains in competitive sport. A national Frisbee and beach football player, he was the 9th top scorer as part of the team that competed in the 13th World Ultimate and Guts Championship.
On being selected host of Tough X Rough, Derek said: “This is about me. This all about my personality. I love sports, I love living an active lifestyle. This really fits my personality and shows who I am. I am very excited.”