Jonathan Haggerty defends his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship at ONE 168: Denver against Superlek Kiatmoo9. His 19-year-old brother, Freddie, knows it is a huge match. It is huge not just with the title on the line, but because it may determine who is the pound-for-pound king.
The two first met in 2018, with Superlek taking home the win. The teen was not a fan of how that match ended and believes the rematch will set things straight. Since then, he has been impressed with how his brother has evolved and transformed as an athlete.
“Personally, I think the first fight was stopped in the most pathetic way. It was the tiniest cut on Jon. You could’ve put a plaster over it, it was so little. But for him to work back to this point, to grow so much, and to have the chance to even the scores, it couldn’t be bigger. If he beats Superlek, he’s the pound-for-pound best,” Haggerty told ONE.
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Both men have tasted the highest of highs in the six years since that match. Both men currently hold titles. Freddie feels the real difference is how his brother has been able to show his championship mettle against the bantamweight elite.
“He was a kid in the first fight. But he’s a man now. He’s bigger, stronger, faster, and smarter than the version of him in 2018. He’s been in the deep waters with these Thai guys. Even against Felipe Lobo, he’s been in the deep waters, and he knows he’s got that dog in him. He knows he can dig deep, and if he has to have a dogfight, he knows he can do that,” the 19-year-old remarked.
Haggerty has been alongside his brother on this entire journey. As such, he has gotten to see how seriously “The General” has been taking this main event opportunity for ONE Championship’s U.S. return. The talented teen says he has never seen his brother this locked in before a match.
“This is the best [Jonathan has] ever looked. This is the most dedicated he has been. He’s never put as much work into a fight the way he is for this one. The way he’s eating too, everything. He’s just got his head down. When I got over here for my fight in July, he had already been grafting for weeks. It’s so important, and it’s even bigger with his belt on the line. He obviously doesn’t want to lose that. He’s doing everything possible to keep hold of it.”
The title tilt will be a difficult go for both men. Still, Superlek has arguably been the most brilliant Muay Thai athlete over the past two years. Haggerty is not as keen on the Thai’s game and thinks his brother has what it takes to avoid the damaging blows. From there, the 19-year-old says “The General” will seize control of the match.
“Superlek has one style, but he’s great at it. His right side is so dangerous. The right kick and elbow are so lethal. I don’t believe his punches are the greatest, so I think the main worry for Jon is to keep away from the elbows and the kicks. I don’t think Jon will be too worried, though. He’s working on a great game plan to stop these kicks and elbows and have counters for everything. I think he’s going to absolutely smash it.”
As far as a prediction goes, Haggerty sees his brother winning in the championship rounds. The Brit believes he can weather an early storm, break Superlek as the match heads into championship rounds, and ultimately finish before the bell. With no margin for error in four-ounce gloves, Haggerty predicts Denver will leave the Ball Arena having experienced an all-time great title match.
“He’ll drag him into some deep waters. Nobody has ever stuck it on Superlek much. The only person I’ve ever seen take it to him was Takeru in that round at ONE 165. Takeru had him hurt. Somehow he stayed standing. I don’t know how, but he did. He took a lot of shots and showed heart. But if Takeru can hurt him in boxing gloves, I think Jon can really mess him up in 4-ounce gloves.”
ONE 168: Denver airs live on Prime Video on Friday, September 6. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
