Lerdsila Promises Excitement Against Savvas Michael In Bangkok
At ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD, Lerdsila Phuket Top Team will make his long-awaited return to action in his native Thailand after more than five years.
Next Friday, 16 August, the 38-year-old Muay Thai master will look to preserve his ONE Super Series winning streak in Bangkok’s Impact Arena in what could be one of the bouts of the night against Savvas “The Baby Face Killer” Michael.
This flyweight match-up will pit Lerdsila‘s 30 years of experience against one of the hottest young stars in the sport.
The three-time Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion was last seen in the Circle at ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR, where he put on his most spectacular ONE Championshipdisplay so far against Japan’s Kohei “Momotaro” Kodera.
That was more than four months ago, but the eight-time Muay Thai World Champion says he has stayed sharp since then.
“It was a good fight, I was happy for the opportunity to compete. I did my best and was proud of my performance,” he says.
“I haven’t fought since, but I haven’t stopped training either. I make sure to spar as much as I can to help stay sharp for competition.”
“It is great being at Phuket Top Team because I have so many different sparring partners to choose from.”
Since 2010, the Chaiyaphum native has only competed at home twice, and not at all since January 2014, so he cannot wait to step out in front of his compatriots and experience the roar of the crowd supporting him.
However, he admits that he feels a little extra pressure to perform in his homecoming contest.
“I’m really proud to get to fight at home in Thailand again. There will be lots of people coming to watch, help motivate me, and cheer me on,” he says.
“There is a little bit of pressure competing in Thailand too, I really want to win for the Thai people and give this win to them, but I can’t let that get to me or think too much – I just need to focus on doing my best.”
His opponent is well known on the local scene. Training out of Petchyindee Academy in Bangkok, Michael has had a lot of success on the elite stadium scene in the Thai capital.
The 22-year-old Cypriot made his ONE Super Series debut in May, when he showed his prodigious talent and athleticism to handily defeat multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion Singtongnoi Por Telakun.
Although he was impressed by that performance, Lerdsila says he did not see anything that should give him any trouble, and he still expects to have an athletic advantage – despite being 16 years his rival’s senior.
“He’s fresh and on a major winning streak, he’s also a lot younger than me – but I’m not thinking too much about that,” he adds.
“Back when I was fighting in Bangkok near the end of my career [on the stadium circuit], I would face younger opponents on their way up. It is a part of Muay Thai.
“I feel that he will be slower than me, and that my speed and techniques will work well against him. He’ll be stronger, so I need to use my experience and agility to beat him.
“I don’t think training and competing in Thailand will give him an advantage over me because I have been training and competing here my entire life.”
Lerdsila is a true master of the sport, and will draw on 30 years of experience in the ring as he attempts to impose one of the most unique and exciting styles in “the art of eight limbs” on Michael.
Although he is confident, he recognizes his rival has the skill and vigor to test him at the Impact Arena, and that should make for an unmissable spectacle.
“I’ve got the experience, but he’s got the freshness. This makes for an exciting match-up, but fans will just have to wait and see who will win in the end.”
