Prajanchai Knocks Out Sam-A In Rematch To Claim Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Title
Prajanchai PK Saenchai earned his second win over legendary striker Sam-A Gaiyanghadao – this time capturing the ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Title in the process.
The 28-year-old former divisional king made fairly quick work of his old foe, knocking out Sam-A at 2:10 of round two at ONE Friday Fights 22 on June 23 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The action kicked off at the famed Lumpinee Boxing Stadium with both men testing each other’s reflexes by utilizing feints and light attacks. But as the opening round progressed, Sam-A picked up the pace and tried to defy his foe with his infamous left kicks.
Prajanchai, who dethroned Sam-A in July 2021 for the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title, was all the wiser and stayed clear of the attacks while taking note of his rival’s openings.
Then in round two, the PK Saenchai Muaythaigym representative’s tactics began paying dividends, as he caught the former two-sport, two-weight ONE World Champion with boxing combos that ended with piston-like left punches.
One of those straight lefts floored Sam-A, who managed to answer the referee’s eight-count despite struggling to regain his feet. Then moments later, Prajanchai bull-rushed the 39-year-old with a flurry of punches and a right elbow that finished the Thai icon for good.
With the win, Prajanchai bumped his stunning record to 340-52-3, earned a US$50,000 bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, and set up a World Title unification match with the man who previously dethroned him for the divisional belt – ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Joseph Lasiri.
