ONE Championship’s featherweight Muay Thai king will embrace the larger gloves on Friday, August 4th, at ONE Fight Night 13. Tawanchai PK Saenchai will meet Davit Kiria in Bangkok to bolster his status as a top kickboxing contender. Ahead of the high-profile matchup, the Thai star is acclimating to the different gloves and rules to be at his best.
Muay Thai Star Tawanchai PK Saenchai Embarks on Kickboxing Contendership
“I need to learn new rules, which are not too different. It’s quite a pressure, to be honest, but shouldn’t be too hard for me. It’s a pressure but also a challenge because I want to face great fighters to prove to myself,” Tawanchai told ONE.
The shift to kickboxing will not be the first time the 24-year-old made a go in the sport. After a successful start to a tournament in China, Tawanchai lost in the semi-finals. However, he utilized the lessons learned to become the impeccable striker he is today.
And for the Thai star, this return to kickboxing will help erase that previous performance. It will give him more to prove as he eyes a second World Championship. As Tawanchai continues to get better each time out, he wants to make a statement to every featherweight watching.
“I learned something [from that loss]. My opponent that day was a great kickboxer. He was faster and better than me in every way. I have to admit that I was still lacking kickboxing experience. That’s why I lost. So, I want to prove myself in the upcoming fight. I’m not so experienced in kickboxing, but that doesn’t scare me. I’m here to face everyone, especially the talented fighters,” Tawanchai remarked.
The 24-year-old’s first kickboxing bout in ONE will come against a former Glory Kickboxing World Champion. Kiria has shown himself well on the global stage and wants to push his way back into title contention. Knocking off Tawanchai will be a massive feather in his cap toward that goal. That is why the PK Saenchai star is ensuring he is on point for August 4.
“I have seen him fight in ONE against Sitthichai and his other matches. I can’t be reckless around him. I think we have about the same level of skills which will make it entertaining. His strength is his right hook. His punches are really heavy and really fast. And his physical strength, too. His weakness? From what I’ve seen, I don’t think he defends himself that much. I think that’s the only weakness,” Tawanchai said.
With the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship on the line in the main event, Tawanchai is aware this is his best opportunity to put himself into contention for whoever takes home the title. Already on an impressive winning streak, the 24-year-old wants to use the momentum to propel himself into the official ONE athlete rankings. It is the next step on his path toward making another dream come true.
“Winning is really important as it’s my first ONE Championship kickboxing fight. I need to keep my winning streak so that I get my chance to win the kickboxing belt. I got this tattoo because I’m a dream chaser, and I drive myself to make my dreams come true. I’ve never missed a dream. I want the kickboxing belt on my shoulder. I don’t think a person should stick with just one dream. We don’t stop growing. I completed my Muay Thai dream. Next is the kickboxing belt,” Tawanchai said.
ONE Fight Night 13 will air live on Friday, August 4, on Prime Video. The action will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The event is free for all U.S. and Canadian Prime Video subscribers.
