How Poverty And Passion Molded Shadow Into A Fighting Sensation

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As the saying goes, tough times create tough people. That's true for rising Muay Thai sensation Shadow Singha Mawynn. The #3-ranked contender is set to clash with surging star Mohamed Younes Rabah in a featherweight Muay Thai bout in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 33 on 12 July.

The 25-year-old is a contracted fighter who, in his last outing, earned a six-figure contract with ONE Championship. That brought him name, fame, and financial success. However, things weren't always as good as they are now.

Growing up under the care of a single mother, they had to survive on the bare minimum. His mother took on odd jobs to make ends meet and provide for her family. Now, Shadow shed some light on the hardships of his childhood.

"My childhood was quite difficult," Shadow said. "My mother did everything to earn income, whether it was foraging in the forest or working on a construction site. She was willing to do anything to support our family."

At the tender age of 12, he took up Muay Thai to support his family financially. Little did he know that his one step would change his life for good.

However, making it into the Bangkok stadium circuit was a tough ask for him, and competitive life came with its fair share of challenges. But one name that deepened his love for the game was all-time Muay Thai great Buakaw Banchamek.

"However, the turning point that made me truly fall in love with Muay Thai was when I watched Buakaw. So, I wanted to be as good as him and hoped that one day I could earn money from fighting to provide my family with a comfortable life," Shadow revealed.

The Singha Mawynn fighter began his ONE journey with a loss but bounced back stronger, starting a five-fight winning streak. That ultimately earned him a life-changing US$100,000 contract. Shadow admits he didn't expect to win the contract that soon.

"That night at ONE Friday Fights 100 when I got the contract, I was incredibly stunned and deeply moved," Shadow said. "I won by knockout and received a bonus, which was something I hadn't expected at all."