Some opportunities seem small at first, but they can transform your life in ways you never imagined. For Wesley “Mulletman” Theron, it began with a simple TikTok video:
“I saw a TikTok of two guys slapping each other, and I was like, I want to try this out.”
That moment of curiosity soon became something much bigger. Today, Wesley is the reigning Punisher Slap Fight Light Heavyweight Champion and is preparing for a shot at the Welterweight title. A win would make him South Africa’s first double-weight champion.
Looking back, Wesley believes every opportunity comes with a choice.
“In life, opportunities come your way; just decide if it is your destiny or just a detour.”
That mindset has shaped every step of his journey.
Like many athletes, Wesley admits he was nervous before his first competition.
“I was a bundle of nerves. Then something inside me just switched. That’s when ‘Mulletman’ takes over.”
Years of rugby had already taught him to stay calm and focus on what he could control, a lesson he brings into every slap fight, trusting his preparation instead of letting the pressure take over.
People notice the mullet before they notice the man. For Wesley, though, it was never about standing out. It was about being himself.
“I always wanted to grow my hair, but everyone said that’s not what a man does. So now I’ve got the long hair, and it’s my identity when it comes to slapping.”
The look has become part of the “Mulletman” persona, but he’s learnt that first impressions don’t define who you are.
“People think the blond hair and blue eyes make me soft, but I’m a long way from soft.”
He hopes young people take away one simple message: be yourself. People will always have opinions, but character is built by staying true to who you are, not by trying to fit someone else’s idea of who you should be.
Just as important as the hair is Wesley’s faith.
“The hair is just the hair. My real strength comes from my faith. I always think about Samson in the Bible, and I hope kids know that if you walk with faith, you’ll always be safe.”
Away from the spotlight, becoming a champion means putting in the work.
“If I need to cut weight, it’s a hard month or so in training. If I just gym, it’s heavy weights every day, and neck and jaw training that kills,” he says.
The work is demanding, but so are the rewards, like the time he knocked out his opponent at BBRU Cravenweek, a knockout victory that remains one of the defining moments of his career.
Even as a champion, Wesley fights with humility.
“Every time I fight, I surprise myself because I never know that I’m going to win the fight. I just believe I will.”
When the pressure builds, he keeps things simple:
“I just close my eyes and breathe, because there is nothing you can do; it’s going to happen either way.”
That belief in himself has carried him to the top, but Wesley isn’t finished; his sights are now set on the Welterweight Championship and then showing the USA what a real slap looks like. Beyond the titles, he hopes his journey inspires others:
“You’ve got to believe in yourself first. No one can do that for you.”
He also wants people to know that slap fighting is more demanding than it seems:
“From the outside it looks simple, but there’s a lot more going on than people realise. It takes technique, training and plenty of hard work.”
That’s advice that applies just as much to life as it does to sport.
Watching Wesley grow from someone willing to give a new sport a chance into the Punisher Slap Fight Light Heavyweight Champion has been incredible. We’re proud that he chooses to trust MAX® Mouthguards every time he competes, and honoured to play a small part in his journey.
