‘I Have To Finish The Fight As Soon As Possible’ – Kongklai Annymuaythai Buzzing For Debut At ONE Friday Fights 5
ONE Championship’s new weekly series at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium has introduced the world to some of the most exciting stars in Muay Thai, and Kongklai Annymuaythai could be one of the next breakout stars to bring his ferocious style to the global stage.
The hard-hitting 24-year-old will face Superball Tded99 in his promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 5 on Friday, February 17, and he offers the kind of in-ring action that is guaranteed to whip the crowd into a frenzy.
With the biggest matchup of his career ahead of him, Kongklai is more motivated than ever to put on a show – and he thinks ONE’s 4-ounce gloves will help him do that.
The 2020 Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year said:
“It has been my dream for a long time to fight in ONE Championship, so when I got the chance to fight at ONE Lumpinee, I felt very happy, and I will do my best.
“I want to prove myself in a new way with the 4-ounce gloves that will make the fight more exciting. I see the success of so many senior boxers in ONE Championship, it gives me the urge to follow in their footsteps.”
One of those senior boxers is the legendary Seksan Or Kwanmuang, who Kongklai has defeated twice – once by knockout and once by decision.
The veteran slugger in Seksan fought on the inaugural ONE Friday Fights event on January 20, winning a three-round war against Tyson Harrison. Watching their epic battle has got the AnnyMuayThai athlete pumped up for his own debut this Friday.
He said:
“I watched that fight, [and] Seksan was really amazing. Many younger fighters must have felt embarrassed watching the match. He kept pressing forward.
“Watching that fight made me want to fight in ONE Lumpinee to show my skill to the fans. And now I’ve got my chance, I will do my best.”
Kongklai Annymuaythai Wants To Pressure Superball Tded99 From The Opening Bell
Kongklai Annymuaythai knows that his ONE debut against Superball Tded99 will present a lot of challenges, but he’s charged up by the prospect of the new experience.
He has posted a 75-15-5 Muay Thai record primarily in his homeland, so he’s comfortable under the traditional rule set with five rounds and big gloves. However, the new format has lit a fresh spark in him, and he can’t wait to get going.
Kongklai said:
“Both me and my opponent have equal chances of winning. The small size of the gloves makes it hard to parry the punch. No matter how well you defend, you’ll get hit anyway.
“This makes fighting at ONE Lumpinee more exciting and challenging because it offers a new experience that I have never had before.”
Though he knows his foe also brings a devastating arsenal to the ring, Kongklai believes the 4-ounce gloves and focus on action should work in his favor.
Known as a big puncher, the 24-year-old plans to impose his aggressive game on Superball hard and early on the hunt for an impressive KO.
He said:
“I’ll try to focus on punching because Superball has knees as a strength, but ONE Championship’s rule set does not allow fighters to clinch for a long time. This will give me an advantage.
“I have to prepare for a new style. I have to throw the weapons faster than in a five-round Muay Thai fight. I have to finish the fight as soon as possible.”
