Amid the ongoing controversies and debates swirling around the decision of Thai fighters in the ONE Championship to retain their respective titles within the nation, one name emerges with a contrarian approach, Tawanchai PK Saenchai. This Muay Thai featherweight champion isn’t just poised to keep the status quo; he’s ready to tackle any competitor that comes his way.
Tawanchai PK Saenchai, hailing from the revered school of Muay Thai fighters, has always been recognized for his unique fighting prowess and unwavering confidence. His next fight brings an exciting challenge. Tawanchai is set to make his kickboxing debut against the stern competitor, Davit Kiria, at ONE Fight Night 13 happening this weekend in Bangkok. It’s a critical match that he aims to conquer before further setting his sights on new horizons.
The Muay Thai world has been rife with anticipation and speculation as many top fighters from Thailand, such as Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Superlek Kiatmoo9 – the reigning champions of the ONE flyweight Muay Thai and kickboxing divisions, respectively – have recently stirred up controversies. Their announcement of refusing to fight each other in the foreseeable future has sent ripples through the combat sports community.
In a similar vein, the atomweight sensation Phetjeeja Ormeekhun seems to be apprehensive about facing off against the former dual-sport champion, Stamp Fairtex. These decisions of the prominent fighters have raised questions about the overall competitive spirit in the ONE Championship. However, Tawanchai, with his unconventional approach, stands ready to buck this trend.
Come October, Tawanchai is primed to defend his featherweight Muay Thai title against the former kickboxing king, Superbon, at the anticipated ONE Fight Night 15. His perspective towards these matches is as straightforward as it can be. As he stated in a recent interview with the Post in Bangkok, “I just consider it sport, so eventually, you cannot avoid each other. Eventually, you have to face each other, Thai or not Thai. Anyone who ONE Championship gives to me, I can fight, so I don’t have a problem with that.”
Despite the match against Superbon being on the horizon, Tawanchai’s immediate focus is his imminent clash against Davit Kiria at ONE Fight Night 13 at the historic Lumpinee Stadium. The fight against Kiria is no less significant and presents its challenges. Tawanchai, only 24 years old, is making his debut in the kickboxing world against Kiria, a 35-year-old former Glory Kickboxing champion from Georgia, known for his ruthless attack.
For Tawanchai, the excitement of taking on Superbon is palpable, and he is optimistic about the public’s reaction. He opined, “It is considered a big match against Superbon, and the best versus the best. The reaction from the fans was extraordinary. There have been lots of comments and great reactions, so I think it will be a fun fight.” Nevertheless, Tawanchai is aware that he needs to keep his focus squarely on his forthcoming bout with Kiria.
Superbon, a seasoned kickboxing champion, is undoubtedly a formidable adversary. However, Tawanchai appears to be thriving on the challenge, expressing eagerness to wrap up his fight with Kiria and shift his full focus onto preparing for the clash with Superbon.
Meanwhile, Tawanchai’s upcoming kickboxing debut is stirring anticipation in the combat sports community. As the reigning featherweight Muay Thai champion, he is no stranger to high-stakes fights, but he finds himself in uncharted waters as he prepares to step into the kickboxing ring for the first time. Despite the high-pressure situation, Tawanchai remains unperturbed.
The switch to kickboxing wasn’t driven by a lack of Muay Thai opponents. Tawanchai, who last fought in February, successfully defended his title with a stunning 49-second TKO of Jamal Yusupov. However, he seems to have been yearning for more. He stated, “I’ve been waiting for a Muay Thai match for so long, but there’s no opponent for me, so I decided to express that I can do kickboxing because I also want a kickboxing belt. I’ve prepared 100 per cent for this fight, and I want to show everybody my kickboxing skills.”
Tawanchai’s excitement to face Davit Kiria in the kickboxing ring is palpable. The Georgian fighter, known for his exceptional kickboxing skills, has had remarkable fights in the past. Acknowledging Kiria’s skills and experience, Tawanchai said, “I’m happy to face Davit because he’s a great kickboxer and has had extraordinary matches before. I’ve watched every single fight of his daily. He’s a heavy hitter, and he’s also very tough and strong, so I feel it will be a fun match.”
Tawanchai’s journey in ONE Championship signifies more than just a fighter’s story. His decisions, upcoming fights, and attitudes towards his fellow fighters speak volumes about his character. Tawanchai doesn’t see nationality as a dividing factor, but rather, views each fight as an opportunity to showcase his talent and further the sport. Regardless of the outcomes in his upcoming bouts, one thing is clear: Tawanchai PK Saenchai is shaping the narrative of Thai fighters in the ONE Championship, one fight at a time
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