Petchmorakot: “Come witness the best lightweight striker in the world“
Headlining ONE 158, Thai boxing legend Petchmorakot is full steam ahead. Like many nak muay, he likes to stay busy. With over 200 fights under his belt, Petchmorakot has captured the ONE Championship Muay Thai Featherweight title, as well as the WBC and Lumpinee championship in two weight classes. Now set to face Jimmy Vienot at ONE 157, he looks to continue to perfect his craft and show the world he’s the best striker on the planet.
Petchmorakot started his career fighting like many Thailand natives do. He started Muay Thai to provide for his family and luckily, he ended up in one of the best Muay Thai gyms in the world.
“I started fighting when I was very young because I needed money for my family. Ever since I started many people saw my potential and I always trained hard and ended up coming to the biggest gym in Thailand, Petchyindee.”
That gym has featured many great fighters over the years. From Sagat to Rodtang, the level of talent coming out of Petchyindee is on another level. It has been that level of talent that has inspired Petchmorakot throughout his career.
“I have been many inspired by many great muay thai World Champions. I grew up in Petchyindee and have been around many legends daily. They have been my inspiration.”
Petchmorakot at ONE 157
For Petchmorakot, the chance to fight for ONE Championship has given him the opportunity to compete and show his skills among some of the best in the world.
“ONE Championship has been the best for me. I have the chance to prove to the world I am the best lightweight striker on the globe.”
Headlining ONE 157, the Thai boxer is ready for his opponent, Jimmy Vienot. He knows that his opponent is tough but he is tougher. He also recognizes that his opponent is a little different from most fighters he’s faced being a southpaw and tall.
“I have been training very hard for this fight as I know Jimmy is a very strong fighter. He is a southpaw and tall like me. But i am ready, I fear no one.”
On the other side of ONE Championship’s sphere of combat sports is Superbon. Superbon is ONE’s featherweight kickboxing champions with wins over Giorgio Petrosyan, Marat Grigorian and Sitthichai in his last three. When asked if Petchmorakot would entertain going over to kickboxing to face Superbon Petchmorakot says he has a better idea in mind.
“No, I would like to fight him in muay thai to prove I am the best lightweight muay thai fighter in Thailand.”
In the meantime, Petchmorakot has actually started boxing professionally. Since 2021, he’s gone 5-0 with three knockouts. Petchmorakot says it’s been fun for him and has really helped with improving his standup even further.
“I have been enjoying it. I am working on my weakness to level up as a fighter and become even more dangerous.”
And of course there’s the stadium fights that are iconic in Thailand. Petchmorakot has fought in both Lumpinee and Rajadamnern, the top two in the world. When asked of his favorite between the two, it’s been his experience and two championships at the old Lumpinee stadium that made the stadium his favorite. But he says that’s not a slight to Rajadamnern, in fact, it’s his favorite now that Lumpinee has been rebuilt.
“The old Lumpinee stadium is my favorite as i have many big memories there. The feeling in the stadium is magical. now rajadamnern is my favorite as it still has the same legendary feeling.”
Winding down, Petchmorakot says tuning into ONE 158 will be a treat for fans of striking sports as he plans to put on one of his best performances to date!
“Come witness the best lightweight striker in the world knocking someone out.”
Dont miss ONE 158 on May 20th featuring fights from Petchmorakot, Garry Tonon, Rodtang, Jonathan Haggerty and more!
