Taking it to The Wire!  Idris Elba shows off his sculpted physique as he trains in Thailand ahead of first kickboxing match for new three part documentary

By Jason Chester for MailOnline

Published: 13:05 EST, 6 October 2016 | Updated: 15:22 EST, 6 October 2016

His unconventional transition from actor to gym-honed kickboxer has seen him travel to destinations as far flung as Cuba, Japan, South Africa and South East Asia.

And it was Thailand that provided the latest exotic backdrop as Idris Elba trained at a local boxing camp with welterweight kickboxer Buakaw Banchamek this week.

The British actor, 44, flexed his muscles while being put through his paces by the Thai sportsman during rehearsals for new Discovery Channel documentary Idris Elba: Fighter.

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Fit and focused: It was Thailand that provided the latest exotic backdrop as Idris Elba trained at a local boxing camp on behalf of a new Discovery Channel documentary this week

Fit and focused: It was Thailand that provided the latest exotic backdrop as Idris Elba trained at a local boxing camp on behalf of a new Discovery Channel documentary this week

Hackney born Idris was focused on the task at hand as he pumped iron at the rudimentary gym before working on his attacking skills and defensive positioning.

Both will need to be on point when The Wire actor takes to the ring for his first bout in October. 

The match will be part of three-part factual documentary that 'will see Elba undertake the physically and mentally demanding task of training to become a professional kickboxer', ultimately fighting a professional kickboxer in a no-holds-barred match. 

Taking it to The Wire: The British actor flexed his muscles while being put through his paces by welterweight kickboxer Buakaw Banchamek 

Taking it to The Wire: The British actor flexed his muscles while being put through his paces by welterweight kickboxer Buakaw Banchamek 

Final preparations: Idris worked on his attacking skills and defensive positioning with the fighter 
Final preparations: Idris worked on his attacking skills and defensive positioning with the fighter

Final preparations: Idris worked on his attacking skills and defensive positioning with the fighter 

Do it like this: He listened intently while being given instructions by Banchamek

Do it like this: He listened intently while being given instructions by Banchamek

Tipped to give an insight into the British star as a person rather than an actor, it is set for release by Discovery channel in 2017. 

'It has been a lifelong ambition of mine to fight professionally. Entering the ring to further test myself as a human being is a challenge I have been looking to take on for quite some time,' Idris has said of the documentary. 

In recent weeks the father-of-two has been sharing multiple videos of himself boxing, hinting at his upcoming match.

Getting stronger: The actor pumped iron in the rudimentary gym ahead of his first kickboxing match 

Getting stronger: The actor pumped iron in the rudimentary gym ahead of his first kickboxing match 

The gloves are on: Idris was seen preparing for a practice bout this week 

The gloves are on: Idris was seen preparing for a practice bout this week 

On the ropes: Instructors looked on as the actor burned calories during a grueling gym session

On the ropes: Instructors looked on as the actor burned calories during a grueling gym session

Gearing up: His fighting skills will need to be on point when he takes to the ring for his first bout in October

Gearing up: His fighting skills will need to be on point when he takes to the ring for his first bout in October

Despite his trim physique Idris recently denied he would be playing the next Bond.

In an interview with Good Morning America on Thursday he said that he's 'too old' to play the action man.

The Brit actor, 43, admitted to GMA's Michael Strahan that it's the 'wildest rumor in the world' that'll he'll be replacing Craig who is set to bow out from the film franchise after four huge hits. 

Rolling with the punches: Tipped to give an insight into the British star as a person rather than an actor, his documentary, titled Idris Elba: The Fighter, is set for release by Discovery channel in 2017

Rolling with the punches: Tipped to give an insight into the British star as a person rather than an actor, his documentary, titled Idris Elba: The Fighter, is set for release by Discovery channel in 2017

Tough guy: The actor has been learning his new craft with local fighter Buakaw, who posed for a photo with the star 

Tough guy: The actor has been learning his new craft with local fighter Buakaw, who posed for a photo with the star 

Fists raised: The exhausting training regimen has seen Idris whip himself into the shape of his life

Fists raised: The exhausting training regimen has seen Idris whip himself into the shape of his life


 

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