Shem and Kasib Murdoch appear to be at their best when they immerse themselves in combat sports and when they punch together they get on well together.
In April, Shem (22) won the International Sport Karate Association New Zealand amateur lightweight MMA title and last weekend his brother, Kasib (15), claimed the junior male 57kg category national amateur boxing title.
It is the first time Otago brothers have held national titles in the same year in both boxing and MMA - and is perhaps even a first for New Zealand.
Shem (10 wins, five losses) said he and Kasib were the best of friends, who fed off each other's passion and achievements.
He said his success was largely down to hard work, while Kasib had way more natural ability.
Both have strong wrestling backgrounds and it was from there that Shem transitioned into MMA about five years ago, and Kasib into boxing last year.
They joined the Olympic Fight Centre's Team Hammerhead gym in 2014.
Shem has had about 10 fights over the past two years in both MMA and Muay Thai.
He described his title win as "one hell of a good feeling'' but it also meant he had a target on his back, and the challenge was for him to work harder.
The brothers train six days a week and sometimes spar with each other.
"When we get closer to fights I have to hold back because I tend to get a bit more aggressive and he is always on point and so sharp.''
Shem said Kasib (15) inspired him everyday.
"You can't have a lazy day with that kid around.''
He said there were more opportunities in boxing for Kasib, so he hoped he stuck with it as long as he could, but in the end it was Kasib's choice.
On the back of three national wrestling titles and about a dozen regional ones, Kasib won his first national boxing title last year when he triumphed in the junior male 54kg category.
As well as being part of an Otago team that won three titles and a silver this year Kasib was named most scientific junior boxer.
The year 11 Kaikorai Valley College pupil said this year's win was the most rewarding because he was one of only a few boxers not to get a bye, and he had to fight twice to make the final, unlike his opponent, who had fought just once.
"It seemed like everyone's division was way more stacked than last year, so I am really proud.''
Kasib said Shem was equally his inspiration and a constant source of encouragement.
"He just works so hard, but still finds the time to help me train,'' Kasib said.
All up, Kasib has had about 15 fights, including winning a South Island Golden Gloves title this year along with another most scientific junior boxer award.
Next year he hoped to move up a division and take on the bigger boys, as he did when he was wrestling.
"I love the one-on-one competition where I can out work my opponents physically and mentally,'' Kasib said.
Kasib, who is just 1.60m tall, said he did a lot of head movement drills to get on the inside and pressure his opponents.
He said one day he planned on having a crack at kickboxing and MMA, but he wanted to box for at least another three to five years and his big goal was to represent New Zealand.
Both Kasib and Shem said they would not have succeeded without their team's backing, and coaches Matt Toa, Bryan Usher, Brogan Anderson and Olympic gym owner Gary Chalklin had been instrumental in their success.
