Rittewada Petchyindee Academy knows an opportunity when he sees one, and he’s not about to let this one slip.
Rittewada makes his highly-anticipated ONE Championship debut against top-ranked contender Saemapetch Fairtex in the main event of the previously recorded ONE: NextGen II. The event airs this Friday from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
“I think it’s the dream of every boxer to get into a world-class organization like ONE Championship,” Rittewada told ONEFC.com.
“I want to show my talent – I want to show my skills. ONE has all great fighters, and I want to prove myself there to the world.”
That dream starts with a challenge, since Saemapetch is a seasoned ONE Super Series veteran.
The Fairtex man came close to striking gold once before, though he fell short to longtime ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao in 2019, which remains Saemapetch’s lone loss in ONE Championship.
After that setback, Saemapetch has been running through the division’s best, knocking out #3-ranked “Left Meteorite” Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai and outlasting no. 2-ranked Rodlek PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym via decision.
That’s why Rittewada is expecting a tough debut.
“Saemapetch is strong and has heavy strikes. His scariest weapon is his punch – he punches hard and fast,” Rittewada said.
“I need to figure out [his weaknesses] in the Circle, but I think I have studied his style well enough. What I can use to defeat him are my timing, speed, and footwork. And I’ll use my kicks.”
Knowing what a win over Saemapetch would do to his reputation both in ONE and in Thailand, Rittewada is hell-bent on having a debut to remember.
“This fight is life-changing, and I’ll try my best to defeat Saemapetch. I want to finish it with a knockout and make it entertaining for the audience,” he said.
“If I could defeat him, I think I’d get an opportunity for a World Championship fight with Nong-O. I’d be so glad.”
Catch ONE: NEXTGEN II on One Sports or One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT) on Friday.
It will air simultaneously on the ONE Super App and ONE’s YouTube channel.
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