‘I Was Ready To Give Up’ — Suakim Recalls The Moment He Went From Nearly Retired To Global Muay Thai Star
Suakim PongSuphan PK once hung up his gloves for good, fully convinced his fighting days were over. Today, the Thai veteran is riding the absolute finest form of his storied martial arts career.
That gripping comeback story now faces its sternest test yet when he headlines against former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane at The Inner Circle 25. The bantamweight Muay Thai World Title eliminator goes down exclusively for subscribers on live.onefc.com in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium this Friday, August 7.
Long before electrifying international audiences, Suakim had already conquered Thailand’s circuit, capturing Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Titles across three weight divisions. Yet at the absolute peak of his powers in 2019, relentless public scrutiny and the painful isolation of camp life forced him to walk away entirely.
He left “the art of eight limbs” for three long years, content with a quiet life away from the ring. That all changed in 2023, when ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong personally invited the striking maestro back to the global stage.
Though the offer instantly reignited his competitive fire, stepping back into elite martial arts after years of inactivity proved immensely daunting. His World Champion instincts remained deeply hardwired, yet his body had forgotten how to keep pace, forcing a complete physical restart.
The Chanthaburi native recalled:
“When I first came back, the training was brutal. Even as a grown man, there were times I felt like crying because my body just wasn’t used to it. As time went on, the camps got tougher.
“Getting back into this kind of shape took everything I had. I dedicated myself completely — eating right, training hard, getting enough sleep, and listening to everyone around me, from my coaches to the sports science team.”
While rebuilding fight-ready shape was an agonizing battle, competing against the world’s best proved another challenge entirely. The physical toll of his long hiatus caught up with him quickly, delivering a jarring wake-up call.
Knockout losses to Kirill Khomutov and Alexey Balyko rattled him, dragging old doubts he’d long buried back to the surface.
Standing at a decisive career crossroads, the 30-year-old refused to surrender to the darkness, choosing instead to make one final push to reclaim his former glory.
He said:
“Early on, my form was terrible. I couldn’t take a hit and got knocked out twice. I was ready to give up, but I decided to give it one more shot, and things just took off from there.
“Now I can confidently say I can absorb hits and hold my ground. I can take the damage now, though obviously, it’s still better not to get hit at all.”
That unyielding drive paid off almost immediately. Suakim silenced the noise, sharpened his tools behind closed doors, and let victory after victory speak for itself.
Seven straight wins later, the Thai fan favorite has firmly revitalized himself in the ring. A statement knockout of Komawut FA Group earned him a life-changing six-figure ONE contract. A spectacular stoppage of Jake “The One” Peacock followed, netting a well-deserved US$50,000 performance bonus.
Suakim has not just rediscovered his prime — he has completely surpassed it.
The PK Saenchai Muaythaigym representative added:
“This win streak is probably the best stretch of my entire career. Even back when I was fighting five-round Muay Thai at Lumpinee or Rajadamnern, I never put together a run like this.
“It feels even better than a dream. Back when I fought in the traditional stadiums, plenty of people knew me, but since joining ONE, the recognition has blown up to a whole new level.”
The Loyalty Suakim Refuses To Forget
Suakim PongSuphan PK’s road back was never free of doubt. His shaky start reopened old wounds, reviving the very criticism that once pushed him out of the sport entirely.
Not everyone abandoned him, though. A loyal core of supporters remained, and their belief never wavered even as his form faltered. Now closing in on World Title contention, Suakim carries that loyalty, absolutely determined to repay it in full.
He said:
“Most of my inspiration comes from the fans who support me. They’ve been amazing. Even when I lost, they stood by me and understood. That makes me want to perform well and give them something to be proud of.”
Suakim’s disillusioned retirement to career revival remains one of the most inspiring turnarounds in the sport.
Renewed dedication has carried him to this career-defining showdown against Nabil Anane on Friday. After everything he walked away from, he would not trade this moment for anything.
The Thai striker concluded:
“Looking back at where I started, I’ve come a really long way. I never thought I’d get to this point, so I’m proud of myself.
“Every fight gets harder, and since we’re facing world-class opponents, I have to train even harder because I hate losing.”
