Jonathan Haggerty says Rodtang's KO power is something out of the ordinary: "One of the hardest punchers"

ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Haggerty believes that when it comes to knockout merchants, not many belong in the same league as Rodtang Jitmuangnon. The Englishman should know, as he has shared the global stage with the former ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion twice in the past.

When asked about Rodtang's knockout power and where it ranks amongst the other fighters he's faced, Jonathan Haggerty told Sky Sports:

"Rodtang, I fought him twice now, and I can honestly say he's one of the hardest punchers I've ever fought. He's so durable. Everything he touches just turns to stone. 'The Iron Man,' really. That's what they call him."

Watch the clip here:

Both fights showcased the level of talent both superstars possess. While the Thai fighter's forward pressure and ability to light Haggerty up from every angle stole the show in their pair of barnburners, the Londoner did well to hurt Rodtang with his trademark elbows and snappy punches at several junctures of their ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title matches.

Since then, Rodtang held on to the divisional gold for almost five years, until he was forced to vacate the strap after failing to meet his end on the scale for his world title defense versus No.3-ranked contender Jacob Smith.

'The Iron Man,' however, returned inside the iconic Lumpinee Stadium at ONE 169 with a trademark performance to come out victorious and remind everyone why he still is the very best at flyweight.

---

Jonathan Haggerty says he felt like he let everyone down in humbling loss to Superlek at ONE 168: Denver

On Jonathan Haggerty's end, the Knowlesy Academy and Team Underground affiliate moved up to bantamweight and conquered the Muay Thai and kickboxing brackets since facing Rodtang twice.

Despite having plenty of success and conquering one name after another in the division, his time as a two-sport world champion came to a crushing end as he lost his Muay Thai crown to Superlek at ONE 168: Denver this past September.

Looking back at his defeat, Jonathan Haggerty told Sky Sports:

"I was a little bit, I wouldn't say embarrassed, but disappointed. A little bit embarrassed as well, if I'd say so because it was very early in the round, like 49 seconds. I felt like I let everyone down at that time, that moment."