Jazzy Parr: John Wayne Parr’s daughter chasing boxing glory after switch from Muay Thai

Aspiring Australian boxer Jasmine Parr says joining the family business has had its pros and cons.

Parr returns to the ring for her fourth pro fight on Saturday where she hopes to defend her WIBA flyweight title at Southport Sharks in the Gold Coast against Brianna Harrison.

As in her young career, she is cornered by her father, martial arts icon “John” Wayne Parr.

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After growing up learning Muay Thai and kickboxing, Parr, 20, said she felt she’d found a “home” in the boxing ring.

“Before my first boxing match, I didn’t want to fight boxing. That wasn’t part of the goal at all,” Jazzy told Sporting News.

“I accepted the boxing match because it was a huge opportunity and as soon as I got in the ring I was like, ‘This feels like home.’ And I knew that was what I wanted to do.”

Parr clinched the Australian title on her debut, the same belt her father won in 2001.

“As soon as I stepped out of the ring and wore the belt, I knew I wanted more and that’s the goal,” she said.

“I want to continue all the way to the top.”

Despite a professional boxing record of 11-3, John Wayne Parr made a name for himself on the muay thai and kickboxing scene, built a worldwide fan base and racked up countless awards throughout his more than 20-year career.

Jasmine, the eldest of three children, had her first kickboxing match at the age of eight and appeared to be following in not only her father’s footsteps but also that of her mother Angie, a former world-class fighter herself.

While still in the injury business, Parr said she now has her eye on boxing fame.

“The plan was always that I would do muay thai and once I won a world title or scored a few goals in muay thai, I wanted to switch to MMA,” she explained.

“Since that boxing match, I’ve really wanted to stick with boxing and I think that’s what I hope to do for the rest of my career.”

Although John Wayne Parr reached the pinnacle of his sport, he did not enjoy the same financial rewards offered to those at the pinnacle of boxing.

The 47-year-old fully supports his daughter’s step into boxing.

“By this point, she’s definitely got the taste and the prize money is almost triple the muay thai money she’s made to date,” Parr told Sporting News.

“Financially, it’s a smarter career move.

“I’ll support them one way or the other. As a father, you must love your children no matter how violent they are towards other people.

“There is nothing quite like watching children create their own legacy and pursue their own dreams.”

After being the fighter on the ropes so many times, John Wayne reflected on the challenges of being a coach and being a father.

“I’m not really getting nervous, I’m excited. It’s so exciting to walk behind them and be in their corner and let them do the things I help them do and see the shots they can’t see,” he said.

“And then when they make it, we win together, we win as a family. This is really great. I am very happy and proud of all three children.

“When it’s time to fight, you have to take off your father’s hat and put on your coach’s hat. You can’t get emotional.

“As soon as emotions get in your way, you’re a little caught off guard.

“I’m trying to stay as professional as possible and see the opens and shots.”

In preparation for Saturday’s fight, Jazzy traveled to Thailand for a two-month camp and once again trod the same path as her old man.

“She trained at the same camp I trained at in 1996-2000. It comes full circle, same camp, all the same,” he said.

“It’s really cool when that little baby leaves the nest and grows up alone.”

As a young fighter with a dream, Parr traveled to Thailand to live the Muay Thai life and hone his skills in spartan conditions.

His daughter believes her lifestyle is preparing her for a big performance this weekend.

“It was really great training at the same camp my dad trained at,” she said.

“It made him the fighter he is and I can understand why. Training on eight-hour days is in full swing – it felt like being in the army.

“You wake up, run, go straight to work for four hours, go to bed, sleep, recover, re-energize, then another four hours – it’s tough.

“That can make or break success and I think it will make me, too.”

With Tim Tszyu, Australian boxing has seen the rise of its newest superstar as he grapples with the challenges of being a legendary father himself.

Though Jasmine Parr won’t ask fans her “fucking name,” she understands the situation and admits she was probably destined to be a fighter.

“Basically I’ve been in my father’s shadow my whole life and I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing, but there’s been a lot of pressure throughout my career,” she said.

“‘She’s only good because of her father.’ But if I hadn’t done the work, if I hadn’t rushed myself and if I hadn’t ripped my ass off every day, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

“I can have it in my blood too and I’m going to take it 100 percent because why not? It’s in my blood, so I’ll ride it until I die.”