Why Giorgio Petrosyan Credits His Brother For So Much Of His Success

Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan has always had one man by his side on his road to the top of the kickboxing world.

The Armenian-Italian superstar’s younger brother Armen Petrosyan – a fellow kickboxing World Champion and ONE Super Series athlete – has been with him every step of the way.

As “The Doctor” prepares for his ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix rematch with Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy at ONE: MASTERS OF DESTINY this Friday, 12 July, he explains why their close relationship has been a vital part of his success.

“The point is that together we are really strong because you never feel alone, and you are always covered,” he states

“When one goes forward, the other watches his back, and that is the real force that we have.”

His brother feels exactly the same way.

“It’s a wonderful relationship, and there are no secrets between us whatsoever. I’m very happy about that,” Armen adds.

“I look up to him, not only as a brother, but he is my idol as an athlete because of what he has achieved, and is still achieving.”

The Petrosyans have achieved so much despite having to endure extreme adversity in their youth.

Armen stayed in war-torn Armenia with his mother and younger sister when Giorgio fled to Italy with his father and older brother. Once they had settled, the family was reunited a year later.

Early life in a new country was a struggle, but once their foundations were set, Giorgio discovered a way to pursue his passion for martial arts when he found a Muay Thai gym.

Armen quickly followed suit, which got him out of trouble, and they have been inseparable since as they have chased the same dream.

“When I came to Italy, I followed in his footsteps and took up the sport instead of duking it out in the street,” states the younger sibling.

“Having Giorgio by my side all the time and following his example made things easier for me.”

Despite their close bond, the duo are polar opposites when it comes to their personalities, as well as their approach in the ring.

However, rather than drive a wedge between them, it is one of the reasons that “The Doctor” believes they work so well together.

“You can say that one completes the other. Outside the gym, we are always together, we even live together in the same house in Milan. We go out together and do practically everything together,” he explains.

“Of course, we are different – we have two different ways to approach life. Armen is more instinctive, he launches himself into things, while I think about what will happen.

“This happens in fighting as well. I wait to see what the best opportunity is for me to strike, and Armen prefers to go in and to fight hand-to-hand against his opponent.”

When Giorgio felt that he needed a change in his life to climb back to the summit of the kickboxing world after a rare, but devastating defeat, Armen’s proclivity to take on new challenges was the catalyst.

The Petrosyans moved from Gorizia to Milan and joined forces on a business venture. Some people warned them against the switch, but the younger brother was certain it was the right decision to make, and led the way.

“I told [Giorgio], ‘Look, the time has come for us to drop everything here, start our own gym, and get a fresh start in Milan to kick off the second chapter of our careers,’” he recalls.

“Lots of people were like, ‘No, you shouldn’t move to Milan, it’s just a big party city, and you won’t accomplish anything,’ but we knew full well what we’re all about, and our mission was for Giorgio to go back to being number one. So, we were able to overcome any obstacle we were faced with.”

They opened Team Petrosyan, and since then, the two-time K-1 World MAX Champion has looked better than ever. Once again, he believes a lot of the credit deserves to go to his brother for that.

“Our relationship in the gym is a little bit different because Armen is taking care of the administration and all of the things that are necessary for the life of the gym. Personally, I am more concerned with the training and the technical aspect of it,” he explains.

Their bond extends into the ring, too, as “The Doctor” realized when he first squared off against Petchmorakot at ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON in Singapore back in May.

Armen could not travel with the team as he was deep in preparation for a match back in Italy. Giorgio believes that his brother’s vision at ringside could have helped him to perform so much better and earn a clear victory.

“The Doctor” trusts his younger brother’s word more than anyone, so he vowed not to travel without him again.

“I learned [in the first Petchmorakot bout] that my brother must be in my corner at all times. We’ve been together for so long, and between us, we have close to 200 fights under our belt,” he adds.

“From here on out, my brother is always going to be in my corner.”

With his brother, best friend, and top training partner by his side in Kuala Lumpur, Giorgio has no doubt he will emerge with his hand raised on Friday.