Tawanchai Promises Barnburner With Superbon At ONE Friday Fights 46

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ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai has enjoyed impressive form since entering the kickboxing realm in ONE over the last year, but his biggest challenge awaits him when he returns to his bread and butter this weekend.

The stoic striker defends his crown against former ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon Singha Mawynn in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 46 next Friday, 22 December, at Bangkok, Thailand's prestigious Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.

The elite Thais have been linked for a matchup twice in 2023. The first was set for ONE Fight Night 15 in October, but an injury forced Superbon to withdraw. Then Tawanchai had to pull out of their battle at ONE Fight Night 17 due to illness.

Now, though, the third matchup is set, and the duo have made sure to be ready for 22 December. With extra time to prepare, the anticipation for the World Title contest has grown tenfold for Tawanchai.

"I got infected with the influenza virus. I had to stay in the hospital for several days. I felt like I was having a hard time recovering. Therefore, I felt like I had to postpone this fight," he explained. "But now I'm all good. After recovering from the sickness, I came back and trained twice as hard."

The sport of Muay Thai has had an unparalleled year in 2023, and, behind the historic battle between ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon and ONE flyweight kickboxing king Superlek Kiatmoo9, this is undoubtedly the most prolific contest of the year for the sport.

Tawanchai's name has been said by Superbon many times throughout the year, and he feels their meeting will be an exciting chapter in the story of his already impressive career.

"Superbon talks about me often. So I want to fight him, just as he wants. I think this is the right time for us to crash into each other," the featherweight Muay Thai titleholder said.

"I don't know if it is going to be the toughest fight I've had or not, but I'm sure it will be a barnburner."

Throughout their respective tenures in ONE Championship, Tawanchai and Superbon have risen above the rest to become standout names in the featherweight striking ranks. But while Tawanchai has excelled in four-ounce gloves, ONE Friday Fights 46 will mark Superbon's first outing in the smaller handwear.

The pair are as experienced as combatants come, but Tawanchai believes his familiarity with ONE's unique Muay Thai rule set will help him to retain the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title.

"The small gloves will definitely make a difference from the kickboxing fights he is used to because the impact force between small gloves and large gloves is very different," he said.

"I've prepared a lot of things for him. Let's find out in the ring. I'm confident I will beat him as well. This belt belongs to me. I won't give it to anyone without a fight. I will do my best to keep it."