ŌPŌTIKI fighter Michael Isaac is taking a moment to rest after what must be his greatest achievement in the sport – a world title.

Isaac won against Cambodian champion Tanh Makara at Hamilton on Saturday.

He won by knockout in the fourth round of the five-round bout, with about 10 seconds to go.

“I hit him squarely on the chin and he was completely out,” he said.

“I had hurt him with a body shot prior to the knockout.”

Isaac said achieving the status of professional world champion was a “massive achievement”.

“As the fight wore on, I was feeling more and more comfortable,” he said.

“I definitely believed more that I am at that world-class level now.”

Resting up after the fight and gathering his bearings after the win, Isaac said he wasn’t sure what he would focus on next, MMA, Muaythai or kickboxing, but that he was keen to go to Thailand for some training.

“I’ll just sit back and think of what’s next,” he said.

Manager and coach Ethan Shepp said Isaac was the first kiwi to fight for the World Kun Khmer Federation Muaythai title.

“We had the option of the World Kick Boxing Federation title or the WKF and we chose the Kun Khmer one because it’s the first time ever and look forward to going back to Cambodia to defend it in the future,” he said.

“We searched around the world to find the hardest, most talented champion available, in comes Cambodian champion Tanh Makara.”

Isaac knew that up against Makara, who has more than 100 fights to his name, half of them knockouts, would be his hardest fight yet.

Having knocked the Cambodian champion out cold, it was a convincing win.

“Now I know I’m a legitimate fighter,” Isaac said.