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Even the best can stumble. Going into ONE 172: Japan, Tawancahi PK Saenchai was riding high on a nine-fight win streak and looking nearly untouchable. Many expected his streak to continue, especially given how sharp he has been looking across both Muay Thai and kickboxing.
Then, Masaaki Noiri dropped Tawanchai with a left hand, and all hell broke loose. It was a shocking finish for the underdog from Japan.
Superbon, though, has been through the highs and lows of combat sports, and he knows that each moment can shape the next chapter.
Speaking with ONE Championship, the featherweight kickboxing world champion spoke of his own experience with defeat:
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"Many years ago, I suffered the same way - getting knocked out in my first few fights. But it gave me a lesson that like, ‘Come on, I got to hit like this, too’. So I changed my style, and switched my weapons to become more skilled."
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Watch the full interview below:
“Everyone was shocked” - Superbon admits he thought Tawanchai would breeze through Masaaki Noiri
Tawanchai held his opponent in the highest regard. But sometimes, even when you prepare for everything you could think of, things still don't go your way. Superbon sees this as one of those moments and hopes it becomes a turning point for Tawanchai.
Heading into the interim ONE featherweight kickboxing world championship, the story seemed almost written. Many fans and fighters, including Superbon, expected Noiri to be a stepping stone for Tawanchai's featherweight kickboxing world title unification and trilogy fight with Superbon.
"Yeah, everyone was shocked," Superbon said. "I was shocked too. I thought I was going to have the opportunity to rematch with Tawanchai, but things changed. So I need to focus on something else."
With Masaaki Noiri now holding the interim featherweight belt, a unification with Superbon is just a matter of time. As for Tawanchai... it seems it just isn't the right time for him to become a double champ.
