Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy will attempt to continue his winning ways this year when he steps into the ONE Championship ring for the third time in seven months.
The 26-year-old defends his ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title against Magnus “Crazy Viking” Andersson in the main event of the previously recorded ONE: A New Breed III, which airs this Friday, September 18.
“I’m happy because I get to defend my title,” Petchmorakot told ONEFC.com.
It has been an amazing year so far for the Petchyindee Academy standout. He started the year with a victory over Pongsiri PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym in February, before taking out “The Boxing Computer” Yodsanklai Fairtex at ONE: NO Surrender.
“I feel really happy that I won. [Yodsanklai] is like an idol. He is amazing — he is a great southpaw boxer. He is legendary, so I am very proud,” Petchmorakot said.
“At first, I waited for him to make his move. I waited because in the beginning, his punches were heavy and quite scary. But when I was able to anticipate his moves, I was able to counter him with punches and kicks just like how I trained. I played the waiting game,” he continued.
“But in the fourth and fifth rounds, I was able to anticipate him, so I was able to use my punches, my left shin, and my kicks.”
Still, Petchmorakot understands that those wins are in the past. Now ahead of him is a dangerous opponent with a lot to prove.
For Andersson, winning a World Title in Thailand against Petchmorakot would prove that he is one of the best in the world in “the art of eight limbs”.
And so Petchmorakot is not taking this match lightly, knowing that his Swedish foe will certainly come for his head.
“His punches are scary, and because he is a big fighter, it might be hard to attack him,” Petchmorakot said.
But Petchmorakot has planned his point of attack and knows his movement will be the key in taking down his taller opponent.
“I will use my feints to intimidate him, and I have my punches and my elbows,” he said.
“I have to be aggressive with my footwork — I cannot back off because he will get confident, so [I need to aggressively move] with punches and elbows.”
Watch the previously recorded ONE: A NEW BREED III this Friday, September 18, on One Sports or One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT). TV5 will also air the event on a next-day delay at 11 p.m. PHT on Saturday, September 19.
You can also catch it by downloading the ONE Super App for free.
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