Capitan Promises To Give ‘Best Performance’ Yet Against Ramazanov
After a long journey, Capitan Petchyindee Academy has steered his way to the biggest opportunity of his professional career.
The Thai sensation is scheduled to challenge ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Alaverdi “Babyface Killer” Ramazanov for the gold in the main event of ONE: UNBREAKABLE on Friday, 22 January.
For Capitan, the #2-ranked bantamweight kickboxing contender, there would be no better way to start 2021 than by accomplishing his biggest goal in ONE Championship.
“Of course, I am really happy to fight for the ONE World Title,” he says. “I don’t feel nervous or excited [in a bad way]. Fighting for the World Title has been my plan and goal since I joined ONE. I would like to be a ONE World Champion.”
Before reaching the World Title fight, Capitan enjoyed a record-setting start to life in The Home Of Martial Arts.
This past September, he made his promotional debut against compatriot Petchtanong Petchfergus, a six-time Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion who was ranked as a top kickboxer in his division by many publications.
Though Petchtanong seemed poised to continue his meteoric rise up the ranks, Capitan brought that momentum to a grinding halt. The Petchyindee Academy representative knocked his foe out with a cross in just six seconds, the fastest KO in ONE Super Series history.
Despite the historic achievement, Capitan was slightly disappointed – only because he didn’t get to display more of his skills in front of the global fan base.
“Honestly, I was not satisfied in my debut with Petchtanong because I had not shown my fans how good I am,” he says.
“The fight was over too soon, but at least this fight made more people get to know me. That is one of my goals, and I aim to explode with my best performance in the ring.”
Following that debut win, Capitan registered two more victories in Thailand over multiple-time Muay Thai World Champions Chamuaktong Fightermuaythai and “The Million Dollar Baby” Sangmanee Klong Suanpluresort. That improved his professional record to an astounding 142-40.
All of that success has led the Thai star to a shot at the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title, but he knows it will be tough to snatch the belt from the “Babyface Killer.”
Ramazanov, who holds a 61-5 record, has become a force in ONE Super Series.
The Dagestani defeated Capitan’s teammate and future featherweight Muay Thai king Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy in his promotional debut back in October 2018, and he authored explosive first-round knockouts over Andrew “Maddog” Miller and Ognjen Topic along the way.
Ramazanov’s crowning moment then took place in December 2019 when he defeated Chinese star “Muay Thai Boy” Zhang Chenglong to claim the inaugural ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship.
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In Singapore, Ramazanov’s style could pose some problems for the Petcyhindee Academy standout. The reigning World Champion will enter this five-round contest with an 11-centimeter height advantage, a versatile striking blend, and some of the most dangerous teeps in the game.
The 27-year-old Thai acknowledges that his opponent is dangerous, but he believes the “Babyface Killer” should be more worried about him.
“Alaverdi has a real foreign style and it’s difficult to fight with. He is well-rounded and has various weapons. I have to throw my weapons at the right time,” Capitan says.
“His strength is that he’s big and tall, but I don’t see anything to worry about. I have more experience and many other advantages. If he gets hit by my heavy punches or kicks, he might be [in trouble].
“One more thing – he has been away from the ring for quite a while. I had a couple of fights last year, so I am sure my body is well prepared.”
In preparation for battle, Capitan has been training with former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Petchdam “The Baby Shark” Petchyindee Academy.
Meanwhile, gym owner Nuttadej Vachirarattanawong, who is more popularly known as Sia Boat, is serving as his head coach during training camp, and former WBC Flyweight World Champion Chatchai Sasakun is focused on his boxing.
With a dedicated team polishing his skills and game plan, Capitan feels confident about his chances on 22 January.
“I have to be quick and I have to try to make him feel uncomfortable, so I will throw my weapons by walking forward at the start of the rounds,” the Thai says.
“I also plan to knock him out, but I am not sure what round – maybe round four or five.”
Capitan is fully focused on the task at hand, but if he claims the bantamweight kickboxing gold, he’ll then turn his attention toward his seemingly unstoppable countryman, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao.
“If I become the Kickboxing World Champion, my next step will [be winning the] Muay Thai World Title in this division, too.”
Those are certainly big dreams, but so far, Capitan has shown no reason to doubt him.
Read more: 5 Reasons To Be Excited For ONE: UNBREAKABLE
