‘It Could Be The Fight Of The Year’ – Superbon Aims For Redemption In Muay Thai World Title Challenge Of Tawanchai
Superbon Singha Mawynn and Tawanchai PK Saenchai are ready to cap off 2023 in style this Friday, December 22.
After a couple of false starts, the Thai megastars will finally battle for the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 46, live on pay-per-view from Bangkok, Thailand.
Injury and illness have pushed this super-fight back on two occasions. However, Superbon is taking everything in stride as he looks to end his roller-coaster year on a high note.
The former ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion dropped his kickboxing gold to Chingiz Allazov in January, but he could make amends with a massive victory at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium this week.
The 33-year-old challenger said:
“I’m excited. This fight is highly anticipated, and I really want to take part in it. I think this is the right time for us to meet.
“At the beginning of the year, I lost my kickboxing belt. But at the end of the year, I’ll have the opportunity to fight for Muay Thai gold. I think this is my best opportunity for redemption.
“If I win the Muay Thai World Title, I plan to claim my kickboxing belt back next year!”
Fans have been clamoring for this all-Thai matchup for a long time, given the elite status of each man and the prestigious accolades they have both achieved.
Indeed, Superbon and Tawanchai are two of the biggest names in the striking world, and the chance to see them square off in Asia primetime will be a fitting close to a memorable inaugural year for the ONE Friday Fights series.
The weekly shows have showcased the excitement and skill of Muay Thai to the world like never before, and Superbon wants to deliver one final barnburner to cap off an incredible 12 months:
“For me, this is just another big match in my life. I’m not worried about the outcome – I just want to do my best, and the audience will appreciate our efforts.
“Look at the Rodtang vs. Superlek fight. They weren’t worried about who won or lost the match. But everyone accepted it, was impressed, and applauded them. That’s what I’m going to do in this fight.
“It has the potential to be a great fight because we’re evenly matched. He is coming to win. I want to win, too. It could be the fight of the year.”
Superbon Predicts Smooth Transition Back To Muay Thai
Superbon Singha Mawynn has faced the best of the best throughout his legendary career, so he’s not going to be fazed when he meets fellow pound-for-pound superstar Tawanchai PK Saenchai.
The Thai icon greatly respects what the 24-year-old phenom brings to the ring in terms of physicality and skill – but he also sees an area to expose.
He said of Tawanchai’s game:
“The key to his success comes from his raw talent and because of his physique and the good support he receives from his gym.
“Tawanchai has a technical style. His left leg is deadly. His strength is his left kick and teep. And you can’t ignore his left hand.
“His weakness, from what I noticed in several of his fights, is that when it comes to later in the match, he runs out of gas quite easily in some fights.”
One of the biggest questions about Superbon’s ability to dethrone the reigning king has been his focus on a different sport in recent years.
The Singha Mawynn representative has competed exclusively in kickboxing since joining ONE Championship – cementing himself as an all-time great – but he doesn’t think his move back to Muay Thai will be an issue.
To that end, Superbon has been brushing up on the extra tools at his disposal in “the art of eight limbs,” and he doesn’t see himself lacking in any area:
”I never thought of myself as a kickboxer. I have always been a Muay Thai fighter. And I don’t think Tawanchai has more Muay Thai experience than me. For me, there is no difference between Muay Thai and kickboxing.
“I had knees and elbows as my main weapons back in the early days when I fought at Lumpinee. It was my signature from the beginning. I just stopped using them for a while [in kickboxing]. But the knowledge remains within me. I can take it out and use it at any time.
“I’m sure we are going to trade. We both have to be careful with the other’s weapons because if anyone makes a mistake first, he could be knocked out immediately. But if no one makes a mistake, this fight will be contested fiercely.”
