'Want to Become Two-Sport World Champion' - Tawanchai Sets New Goal After Demolishing Superbon At ONE 170

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"I can read him like a book." That's what Tawanchai PK Saenchai said about Superbon weeks before their main event clash at ONE 170. And he proved those words in legendary fashion.

On Friday, 24 January, at a sold-out Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion defended his crown by finishing his arch-nemesis in the second round.

After their closely contested fight in 2023, ONE's global fan base anticipated another nail-biting contest. And according to how the first round unfolded, it seemed it would go all five rounds again. However, the defending champion had a different plan in mind.

Tawanchai used the opening round to study the game plan of Superbon, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time. After that, he executed his strategy to bring down his Thai compatriot.

"I believe that Superbon had prepared himself very well for this fight. I took the first round to feel the situation, to see what kind of game plan that Superbon had brought for me, and I knew that he tried to rely on using a counterattack," Tawanchai said.

"So then [I knew] his plan, and coming in on the second round, I adapted, and I tried to counter with everything that I had as well. But all in all, I believe that Superbon trained and planned for this fight very well."

This time, Tawanchai scored three knockdowns in the second round to retain his World Title. Their 2023 encounter, however, was a much tougher challenge, with Tawanchai narrowly winning by majority decision. He recalled how fans' comments were hurtful and affected him afterward.

That criticism pushed him to work hard and prove what he is capable of. Now that the 25-year-old has done exactly that, he set his sights on claiming Superbon's ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title.

"The last time, I remember after we finished that fight, I went back, and I was under a lot of pressure from online (critics), and I didn't talk to anyone for weeks. But then I thought to myself, these are just words. I have to train harder," Tawanchai said.

"My next dream is to get the kickboxing belt, and I want to become a two-sport world champion. There are many people who are talking down on me right now, but I will prove to everyone that I can get that belt."