‘The Sooner It Ends, The Better’ – Tawanchai Looks To Continue Knockout Streak Against Nattawut
Although he’ll no longer be defending his ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE Fight Night 15 on Prime Video, Thai superstar Tawanchai PK Saenchai still has a lot to gain at the event.
With original opponent Superbon Singha Mawynn sidelined due to injury, Tawanchai will now face all-action veteran “Smokin” Jo Nattawut in a featherweight kickboxing contest in U.S. primetime this Friday, October 6.
The matchup will continue Tawanchai’s quest for the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title, and he views Nattawut as another step toward that goal following his stunning knockout of Davit Kiria in August.
Tawanchai told onefc.com that he’s happy to have a new opponent this Friday – and that he’s only gaining confidence in his new sport:
“This fight is a way for me to stay active, which is good. It’s better than training for a long period without a fight. That would make me feel sluggish. I will use this chance to gain experience and level up in kickboxing as well.
“I felt quite tense in my first kickboxing match [against Kiria], but I don’t feel this way again because I am getting used to it and feel more comfortable. In my first fight, I was concerned too much about kickboxing rules. But I’m good now. I guarantee that my second fight will be better than the first one.”
That confidence doesn’t mean Tawanchai is looking past Nattawut. In fact, he views “Smokin” Jo as a key stepping stone because of the 33-year-old’s skill and experience.
Indeed, Nattawut has faced the best of the best in kickboxing – including reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Chingiz Allazov and all-time great Giorgio Petrosyan – and he’s picked up some devastating knockout wins in ONE.
With that in mind, the PK Saenchai representative knows he must be on point in the ring, and that another knockout would make a big statement:
“Jo has sharp and heavy hands. And he has more experience in kickboxing than me. His footwork is good. I consider him a tough opponent. That is good for me. When someone who lacks experience like me fights against a veteran, it will help me improve myself quickly.
“I am younger. I’m in my prime physical condition. He is 10 years older than me. That doesn’t mean he’s lost his power, but this cardio may not be as good as it used to be.
”Of course, I want to win by KO because I want a bonus. The sooner it ends, the better. But he also has a chance to finish me quickly.”
Tawanchai Still Eager To Defend Muay Thai Belt Against Superbon
While he’s currently focused on his battle with Jo Nattawut this Friday, Tawanchai PK Saenchai is hoping to reschedule his ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title defense against Superbon Singha Mawynn.
After all, their matchup was one of the most highly anticipated battles of 2023, and Tawanchai would love to meet the former ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion before the year is out.
Despite building a fearsome reputation with his performances in ONE, the 24-year-old believes that when Superbon is healed, the contest will happen – and that any talk of him ducking the encounter is untrue.
Tawanchai added:
“The only person on my radar is Superbon because our fans really want to see us fight. I want to fight him as soon as possible.
“For the people saying that Superbon tried to avoid this fight because he is scared of me, I want to say that a true warrior fears nothing. This is unexpected and uncontrollable. He was really injured. And I hope that once he recovers from his injury, we can eventually fight each other soon.“
