In just his 12th career bout, Murray was in total control against Perth's Aaron Scrimgeour from the outset, unleashing a devastating knee to the face in the fourth round to take the honours and cap an extraordinary rise up the Muay Thai ranks.

It wasn't so long ago that Murray, who now trains in Tullamarine, found himself fed up with playing junior football in his home town of Shepparton - he was still keen for some exercise but at a loss as to where to turn. "I gave up footy and me and a friend just wanted to take up boxing but there wasn't a gym in Shepparton that offered it.

"We found this place that was training Thai kickboxing, we didn't really know what it was, but we thought we'd give it a go anyway."

Cue a solid six-month introductory training regime followed by a successful debut bout and Murray was well and truly hooked. "I just loved it straightaway, it was such a big rush fighting in the ring with the crowd cheering. It was great."

Midway through last year Murray moved to Melbourne to pursue a position as an apprentice electrician and sure enough his Muay Thai obsession also made the journey, leading him to the Invictus Gym in Tullamarine and the tutelage of coach David Weston.

"Tommy is super strong and is quite dedicated for a young kid," Weston said. "He's been training with us for six months and I can already tell he's got a huge future ahead of him."

While Murray has a treasured national title to sit alongside his Victorian and East Coast belts, his ambition is to move into the glamour sport of Mixed Martial Arts.

While Muay Thai utilises kicks and punches as well as elbow and knee strikes, MMA combat also incorporates grappling and wrestling. The change in disciplines will require intensive training but Murray is certain he has what it takes to make a successful transition.

"I already train hard everyday, at this level of Muay Thai you can't afford to be below your best when you get in the ring or you'll just get punished."