The Stars Predict The Petrosyan Vs. Superbon World Title Fight
The wait is finally over.
Three and a half years after the first ONE Super Series featherweight kickboxing matchup, the division will finally crown its inaugural World Champion this Friday, 15 October.
Top-ranked contender Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan will face #2-ranked Superbon for the vacant ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title in the main event of ONE: FIRST STRIKE.
Petrosyan, who is considered the kickboxing GOAT, has been near-flawless in his career. He has compiled a 104-2-2 (2 NC) record, defeated every competitor who has stood across from him in the Circle, and even won the 2019 ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Championship.
The Armenian-Italian legend has always risen to the occasion, but Thai star Superbon believes Petrosyan has been ducking him.
Superbon, who owns a 111-34 record, defeated pound-for-pound great Sitthichai “Killer Kid” Sitsongpeenong in their trilogy bout last year. That win put him on a collision course with “The Doctor” for the gold – and it all comes to a boil inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday.
Ahead of this main event showdown, several of ONE Championship’s biggest stars have analyzed the bout and given us their predictions.
Alain “The Panther” Ngalani
“That’s a tough one, but I’m going to bet on Superbon. He’s just as accurate as Petrosyan, but I think he is a bit more versatile, so I’m going with him this time.”
Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon
“This will be a super exciting fight. I, myself, can’t wait to see it either. In my opinion, I give it to Superbon because he is a veteran. He has fast, diverse, and versatile striking. For Petrosyan, he has powerful and dangerous left punches.
“Actually, both of them are good fighters. I think we have to see how they will handle the actual fight in the Circle. If Superbon is not careful enough about Petrosyan’s punches, he may get knocked out. But if Petrosyan can’t knock Superbon out within the first three rounds, the fight may be on Superbon’s side.
“I don’t want to give a clear-cut prediction that Superbon will win because Petrosyan’s punches cannot be overlooked. However, I like Superbon. If he could survive Petrosyan’s knockout punch, he will get the belt.”
Marat Grigorian
“I think Petrosyan will win. Petrosyan is a very technical and good fighter, and my friend and fellow Armenian, so I support him! I fought Superbon myself and knocked him out within one minute. I’m looking forward to this fight.”
Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy
“Petrosyan is dangerous because of his heavy and accurate strikes. I’ve experienced those shots, and I would say that they are really powerful. For Superbon, he has a strong body, as well as sharp and devastating strikes.
“I think they will constantly exchange their weapons. It’s hard to tell which one will win because they are neck and neck. So, let’s wait and see.”
Arjan “Singh” Bhullar
“Petrosyan versus Superbon is going to be huge. It’s going to be massive, and both [athletes are] very highly skilled. I have been watching Petrosyan forever and ever. Superbon as well, especially as of late.
“But I am picking Petrosyan. I think he’s just surgical, and maybe it’s nostalgia or whatever it is as I’ve been watching him for so long. He’s just so smooth.
“I’m not taking anything away from Superbon. He can win this too. This is a 51-49 type of fight in my opinion, but I’m taking Petrosyan.”
Enriko “The Hurricane” Kehl
“For sure, it will be a very close fight, a very great fight. But I think if Superbon lets Petrosyan work with his hands, his hands will be too strong for Superbon. He is more of a Thai boxer. He has very hard kicks, but if Petrosyan has the right game plan, then I think he will win.”
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao
“I’ll start with Petrosyan first. We all know well that he’s number one in kickboxing. Superbon, meanwhile, is a good Muay Thai fighter with extensive experience. I think what makes Petrosyan dangerous is his punch – he can knock an opponent out at any time with his punch. His stance and strikes work together naturally and smoothly.
“For Superbon, he has really good Muay Thai. To be honest, I’m Thai, so I root for Superbon. I think he will win this fight thanks to his rapid movement and long-range weapons. I give it to Superbon, for sure.”
Rade Opacic
“I think Petrosyan will win by decision. He will put on his tempo and style of fighting [to win].”
Tawanchai PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym
“In my view, Petrosyan is a strong fighter with a good fight IQ and dangerous punches. Superbon, meanwhile, has a powerful and effective combination of punches and kicks. I give it to Superbon because I’m Thai, of course.
“Certainly, Petrosyan is the GOAT, but I think it’s not too hard for Superbon to handle him. I would say Superbon will win and be the champion. This is going to be an extremely exciting fight. I can’t wait to see it.”
Samy “AK47” Sana
“It’s going to be a close fight with two fighters who have two different styles, but I will give the advantage to Giorgio.”
Davit Kiria
“I’m very excited about this fight for many reasons. It’s hard to say, but maybe Petrosyan will win. He’s a very tactical fighter, he is very clever. I can say exactly the same about Superbon, though.”
Adrian “Papua Badboy” Mattheis
“Superbon is naturally a Muay Thai fighter, so he might need to make some adjustments. But Petrosyan has been a kickboxer since the very beginning, and he has already mastered every kickboxing technique. He must have already known what to throw and how to anticipate [any attack]. He is a counter fighter who loves to wait for an attack and then launches a counter strike.
“I think Superbon’s [most dangerous weapon] is his powerful kick. It can overwhelm Petrosyan, but at the same time, I can see that Petrosyan will be able to anticipate it. Petrosyan also has a strong kick and straight punch, which are his ultimate weapons.
“Superbon is a good match for Petrosyan. I think it will go the distance, and I think Petrosyan will earn a decisive victory.”
Petchtanong Petchfergus
“Superbon versus Petrosyan will be an exciting super-fight. For Petrosyan, we all know that he is the GOAT in kickboxing. His strikes, be it hands or feet, are truly sharp and accurate. His steps are fast and always effective.
“For Superbon, some people may think that he has less kickboxing experience than Petrosyan and that he is an underdog. But in fact, Superbon has been fighting in kickboxing on various international stages for six years, so he has mastered kickboxing. And he is a good match for Petrosyan.
“Besides, in a five-round championship fight, I think Superbon has a better gas tank that will help him stand longer. Moreover, he has swift head kicks that can knock an opponent out at any time. So, there may be a surprise that this fight will end before round five.
“I would like Thai fans to cheer for him to win this fight and get the belt for Thailand.”
Read more: What’s At Stake For Every Fighter At ONE: FIRST STRIKE
