Superlek Discusses ONE Friday Fights 22 Win, Explains Jonathan Haggerty Call Out

ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 revisited his Muay Thai roots this past Friday, 23 June, at ONE Friday Fights 22, and in doing so he returned to his old stomping grounds of Lumpinee Stadium in victorious fashion.

"The Kicking Machine" faced the mammoth task of taking on 19-year-old Muay Thai prodigy Nabil Anane on the stacked event, and he managed to overcome his 6-foot-2 adversary in just 2:03 of the first round.

For a flyweight, the Algerian's height and reach advantage isn't often seen, and many wondered how Superlek would overcome that staggering statistic. Superlek said less, however, chopping at the legs of the youngster to navigate his way inside, leaving Anane unable to answer the referee's eight-count.

Looking back on the experience, Superlek had to keep his wits about him given the massive size difference, but the Thai knew what the game plan had to be in order to leave with a win.

"I was actually worried at the initial stage. I just tried to keep the distance very short because he was very tall and his reach was very long. So I decided to start the fight at a closer distance," Superlek said.

"Actually, I was shocked that they offered me this fight, because he's very tall. He's the tallest opponent I've ever faced. But I'm also very happy to fight in Lumpinee Stadium again."

Having just overcome the largest test of his career, the endorphins were flowing and Superlek was feeling higher than Anane himself. With that, "The Kicking Machine" took the opportunity to call out the newly crowned ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan "The General" Haggerty.

"The General" reigned over Superlek's division, but they never actually locked horns during their flyweight tenures. Now, Superlek would like to see that change in the future with Haggerty's World Title up for grabs.

The ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion remains a firm believer that the promotion's Thai standouts should hold all the belts, and since the British brawler toppled longtime king Nong-O Hama at ONE Fight Night 9 this past April, Superlek isn't happy and wants to bring the gold back to Thailand.

"Jonathan (Haggerty) is indeed a very good fighter, a very tough fighter. I really want to know how my skills would play out in that fight," Superlek added.

"I think it was all about the timing. Nong-O got punched first, so it was all about the timing. I was a little bit disappointed about the result, but it's ok. I still want the belt to be with Thai people."

Source: Media Release