Four years ago, Ron Cain III, who lives in Hackettstown, became interested in Muay Thai, a traditional form of kickboxing from Thailand. Muay Thai, deemed a “combat sport,” is fully governed by Muay Thai rules around the world. It was originally used as a fighting technique during bona fide warfare, dating back to the mid-18th century. Practitioners use their body’s built-in weapons–hands, elbows, knees, shins and feet–for striking their opponents, rather than only fists in boxing, or hands and feet in other, more regulated, combat sports.

Ron trains at Evolutionary Martial Arts in Hackettstown. His first amateur fight took place in October 2018 in Queens. As he entered the ring, Ron’s plan was to fight based on his opponent’s reach and size, while avoiding being hit himself. Unfortunately, the match didn’t quite go as planned. With four children and a busy schedule, Ron is unsure if he’ll fight again, but plans to continue training. 

When not training, Ron heads Cain & Sons Fire Equipment, a business that specializes in fire extinguisher sales, maintenance, and repairs, and fire department supplies (turn-out gear, boots, hoses, etc.). The company was established in 1977 by his grandfather, Ron, Sr. In September 2016, after the passing of his grandfather, Ron III assumed ownership of Cain & Sons Fire Equipment, which serves all of northern New Jersey.

When it comes to the people and happenings of Warren County, you can count on award winning photographer Cathy Miller to be there to record the moment.