Tawanchai Eyes Two-Sport Gold After TKO At ONE 170

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Tawanchai PK Saenchai entered ONE 170 intent on delivering a show-stopping performance. It was mission accomplished in the sold-out Impact Arena with a second-round TKO over Superbon to retain the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title. After the match, Tawanchai spoke at the ONE Championship post-event press conference to discuss how he was able to return to form in Bangkok, Thailand.

Tawanchai Meets Press After ONE 170 Win

“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. And it’s safe to say that I lost my fire back then when I finished that fight. But then I thought to myself, these are just words. I have to do better. I have to train harder, and now this time, I get to prove myself that I am better,” Tawanchai said at the post-event press conference.

After defending his gold, Tawanchai is ready to go after his next goal. As he said in the build-up to the title tilt, he wants to move into kickboxing and go for two-sport World Champion status. Considering Superbon gold the kickboxing gold, his emphatic TKO victory sent a clear message that he could dethrone the king.

“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,” the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion offered.

Tawanchai Breaks Down the Victory

In the rematch, Tawanchai credited his ability to read Superbon for the victory. The first round was to find out what his fellow Thai athlete had to offer. In the second, he made the adjustments and attacked with ferocity.

“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. He tried to counter back after I kicked or struck him. So then now I know his plan, and coming in on the second round, I adapted, and I try to counter with everything that I have as well. But all in all, I believe that Superbon trained and planned for this fight very well,” Tawanchai said.

STATEMENT MADE 🏆 After nine straight wins, can anyone stop ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai?

▶️ Watch the full ONE 170 event replay on https://t.co/eBUfsOmxDL (geo-restrictions may apply) pic.twitter.com/UTTY4Z425G

— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) January 24, 2025

Chatri Sityodtong Game For Tawanchai Title Opportunity

ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong is not opposed to giving Tawanchai the title shot he covets. However, Sityodtong wants to see if the Muay Thai master can retain the same dedication after a huge win on a massive platform. If Tawanchai maintains his trajectory and doesn’t get sidetracked by all the trappings that will come his way, we could see him bid for history in 2025.

“If the opportunity comes, I would like to give Tawanchai a chance to get that kickboxing belt, but it’s also up to Tawanchai as well. What he’s going to do after all his fame and all his money? Is he going to still work hard and have the discipline? I know many fighters that have lost their way because they earn fame, they earn money, and they don’t train hard anymore. We know that Tawanchai has been training very hard for the past 10 years, and I hope that he keeps up the good work,” Sityodtong stated.

ONE 170 aired on Friday, January 24, from Bangkok, Thailand. The action emanated from the sold-out Impact Arena. Fans can relive every action-packed moment on demand via ONE’s official YouTube channel.

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