“I didn’t have any income at all” - Kongthoranee Sor Sommai overcame dark times in Muay Thai career

Thai fighter Kongthoranee Sor Sommai's livelihood was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and he is thankful that he was able to find his way to ONE Championship where he was able to get back on his feet.

In a recent interview with the promotion, the hard-hitting 27-year-old recalled the difficult times he had to endure during the pandemic, which left him with very few opportunities, if at all, to earn a living. The episode nearly forced him to abadon competing altogether.

Kongthoranee said:

"My struggle was during the COVID period. I didn't have any income at all. I had to work for hire, And I even thought it was the end of the road of my fighting career."

Then a grand opportunity came in 2023 through the newly developed ONE Friday Fights series, which provided a new lease of life for him. Speaking on the opportunity, he said:

"After COVID, ONE Championship changed my life."

Kongthoranee made a grand splash in his ONE Friday Fights debut in February last year, knocking out Gingsanglek Tor Laksong in the second round of their headlining flyweight Muay Thai showdown.

He would stumble in his next fight a month and a half later, but would respond with seven straight victories, with the most recent coming over Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi by unanimous decision back in April.

He now tries to take his ONE journey to a whole new level when he battles Thai superstar Superlek Kiatmoo09 in a flyweight Muay Thai battle at ONE Friday Fights 68 on June 28 at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

To catch ONE Friday Fights 68, check your local listings for its availability on your area.

Superlek not underestimating Kongthoranee in match at ONE Friday Fights 68

Superlek Kiatmoo9 sees upcoming opponent Kongthoranee Sor Sommai as a very real threat and is in no way underestimating him heading into their showdown at ONE Friday Fights 68 on June 28.

The concurrent ONE flyweight kickboxing king and No. 1 Muay Thai contender in the division will touch gloves with the streaking Kongthoranee and will try to put a halt to the latter's seven-fight winning run in the ONE Friday Fights series.

Superlek, however, knows that it is not going to be a walk in the park, considering how his opponent packs a lot of heat and is brimming with a lot of confidence. He shared this in an interview with the South China Morning Post, saying:

"His power is there, you can actually see. And since he entered ONE Lumpinee since he entered ONE Championship, he's on a win streak, as you can see. So now he's very confident, and he's on top of his game. So, of course, I would see him as dangerous."

Heading into ONE Friday Fights 68, Superlek is coming off a successful defense of his kickboxing gold in January against Japanese superstar Takeru Segawa.