The Life, Death, and Rebirth of Young Bulls Gym
- Albert Xavier
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Young Bulls Mixed Martial Arts, also known simply as Young Bulls, was founded in 1999 by the legendary trainer Laos Toohey. Young Bulls has been a major contributor to martial arts in Australia, creating many champions and athletes both inside and outside the ring.
Laos Toohey boasts an impressive résumé and is well-known for his striking knowledge. During his time in the fight game, he competed in Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, Karate, and Boxing. He amassed a perfect, undefeated record of 32 wins and 0 losses (15 via KO), earning many State and National Titles along the way. A pioneer in the combat sports industry, Laos Toohey, as a fighter, was part of a world-renowned team at the Fitzroy All-Stars gym, under the guidance of the late Master Dana Goodson.
He has coached over 37 champions in a variety of disciplines at every level, including an I.S.K.A. Super Middleweight World Champion. His most notable fighters include Kael Coster, Paul Azar, Erik Miskle, Anthonie Trejo, and Albert Xavier.
During Tooheys coaching tenure, he was named Star Kickboxing Trainer of the Year in 1998 and Kickboxing Trainer of the Century in 2000. After a stellar career in the combat sports world, Laos “The Asian Bull” Toohey wanted to continue to share his knowledge with the community, and thus began the inception of "Young Bulls Mixed Martial Arts."
As one of the original authentic Muay Thai boxing schools in Victoria, the name Young Bulls was known to have a proven track record of producing fighters. This strong lineage is carried on today by Albert Xavier (Alby). Alby strives to instill the lessons and experiences he has obtained over time and create the new wave at Young Bulls Gym. Toohey, an avid martial arts learner in all its disciplines, offered not only Muay Thai but also Boxing, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, and BJJ – a true sense of mixed martial arts in an era when MMA was deemed illegal in Melbourne.Toohey has coached and helped nurture many coaches and owners of successful gyms, many of whom are active in the fight scene today, creating their own stories.
When "Young Bulls Mixed Martial Arts" shut its doors in 2015, it was a disappointing day in the chapter of their great story. Many felt lost without the place; many left for other gyms, some left the sport, and it was a time of reflection on what was. One fighter from that generation made a promise to himself and to Toohey that he would carry on the name when the time was right.
Many gyms have their own unique cultures, and the Young Bulls culture is definitely one that Alby wanted to save and share with people training Muay Thai. Many fond memories – good, bad, sad, happy, and everything in between – shaped the individuals who came into Young Bulls.
Alby, although he went on to continue his illustrious career, still carried the banner and legacy of the Young Bulls name everywhere he went in competition, never forgetting his deep roots with Toohey and the Club. In the later parts of Alby’s career, the natural progression was to become a trainer/gym owner, and that was his goal upon returning after a 2-year stint in Thailand and living abroad for 4 years: to reopen Young Bulls.
After a long, emotional chat over FaceTime with Toohey, Toohey gave his blessing and was honored that Alby would carry on the name. 2023 was when the fire reignited, from Alby's parents' garage to now an industrial facility in Braeside – a lot has happened in the space of 24 months.
From the gym being announced and finding its space in a competitive Muay Thai landscape, Alby’s passion, commitment, and dedication to his team have shown, with the gym already producing Muay Thai Victorian Amateurs and seasoned Pros. He only looks onward and upward to try to emulate the previous success stories he helped create and aims to do so now with the new generation of Young Bulls.
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