Jack Osbourne Recalls Using Muay Thai for Self-Defense
Jack Osbourne has discussed his experience with Muay Thai, also known as Thai kickboxing, sharing a story about a time he used his training to fend off attackers in London.
During a recent episode of Howie Mandel Does Stuff, the 40-year-old elaborated, saying, “Many years ago, I had an encounter in London.” He recalled walking to a friend’s house on a summer evening when two individuals confronted him in a churchyard.
Osbourne mentioned that one of the assailants didn’t really engage, but began talking to him while he was on the phone. He thought it was odd, yet the other guy got up close, although he was relatively small. “I just… I knew something wasn’t right,” he reflected.
“I tightened my knees and used my elbows to create space. You have to be cautious in London—people can get violent easily, and I thought, ‘I really don’t want to stick around with this dude.’”
The father-of-four remarked that he devoted considerable time to studying martial arts in Thailand. He initially got into Muay Thai to stay fit, which led to his 2005 series, Jack Osbourne: Adrenaline Junkie.
Osbourne trained at the Fairtex Muay Thai Fitness Camp near Bangkok and has stories of sparring with a veteran Thai boxer, known as “The Man,” ultimately knocking him out just eight seconds into the second round. His trainer, Philip Wong, offered a positive review, noting that Osbourne was committed and lost 20 pounds during their training.
In past interviews, Osbourne talked about taking up Muay Thai as a way to combat struggles with substance abuse. He mentioned that his parents, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, were initially concerned but felt reassured after seeing how prepared he was for the challenges ahead.
He expressed his belief that Muay Thai effectively combines defensive and offensive techniques, describing it as a “great stand-up fight,” which utilizes fists, elbows, knees, and kicks. Even as he moves forward in life, he’s focused on maintaining his health, recently participating in FOX’s 2023 reality show Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Test.
