Tawanchai says fighting at iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium brought back memories

Reigning ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion Tawanchai PK.Saenchai made his return to the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok in his last fight and basked in the opportunity.

The Thai phenom competed at the famed arena for ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video last week and made short work of Turkish challenger Jamal Yusupov to remain as world champion.

Tawanchai tore down Yusupov in their title clash with a cracking kick to the right leg of the challenger from which the latter could not recover from. It effectively halted the match just 49 seconds into it.

In a post-fight interview following his win, the Thai champion said fighting once again at Lumpinee brought back a lot of memories and provided extra motivation for him to win:

"The ambiance definitely made me think of the old ambience that I had fought in the stadium. It was really a motivation and encouraged me to keep winning."

Prior to signing with ONE, Tawanchai, 23, had some of his most memorable fights early in his career at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, which is widely considered the home of Modern Muay Thai.

His victory over Yusupov, meanwhile, was his first successful defense of the title he won last September over former division king Petchmorakot Petchyindee.

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“I want to face all of those incredible fighters” - Tawanchai ready to fight the most elite featherweight Muay Thai athletes

More than just staying as the ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion, Tawanchai PK.Saenchai is motivated to take on the best fighters in his weight class and prove his worth as he continues with his ONE Championship journey.

The Thai phenom debuted in the promotion in May 2021 and quickly climbed the summit of his division. But he recognizes that the featherweight class is deep and is looking forward to facing all the comers that will stand in his way.

He told ONE Championship:

“I like being in this weight class. It’s a popular one. It’s pretty massive. There are so many top fighters in the world who are in this weight class. I want to face all of these incredible fighters. It’s a way to prove to myself that I can stand among the top-ranking fighters."

The Thai superstar has already defeated one of the fighters targeting him and his title in No.2-ranked contender Jamal Yusupov in their title clash at ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video last month. He won with an impressive first-round technical knockout.

Other fighters targeting the champion's title are former ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion and No.1 contender Superbon Singha Mawynn, France’s Jimmy Vienot, Thai star Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong and Denmark’s Niclas Larsen, among others.