‘Combat Sports Can Make You Rich’ – Tawanchai Reflects On Global Fame From Humble Beginnings
Tawanchai PK Saenchai sits comfortably atop the featherweight Muay Thai division as the longtime World Champion, and he’ll soon have his shot at two-sport glory.
On Sunday, March 23, the Thai striker will take on former K-1 Champion Masaaki Noiri for the ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Title at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang inside Japan’s iconic Saitama Super Arena.
That showdown is Tawanchai’s opportunity to extend his nine-fight winning streak, build off a career-defining knockout over rival Superbon, and further cement himself as a globally recognized martial arts superstar.
Like many other Thais who have reached the pinnacle of Muay Thai, Tawanchai comes from humble beginnings. He started competing in “the art of eight limbs” to make money for his family – and he vividly recalls both his first fight and paycheck.
The 25-year-old told onefc.com:
“After training for less than a year, I got to fight at a bar on Pattaya Beach. At that time, I used the name ‘Jatukam Petchrungruang’ and knocked my opponent out in the first round with a left kick. I got tip money from the foreigners, 800 baht (approximately US$24). I remember being so happy.”
The same left kick that carried the young Tawanchai to victory in his first-ever Muay Thai fight has since propelled him to the highest levels of the sport, turning him into a bona fide star with each highlight-reel knockout.
Looking back, he can identify two distinct points where his star power grew.
First in 2018, when he picked up a trio of victories over two-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai, and next when he debuted in the world’s largest martial arts organization:
“When I moved to Bangkok, I felt that I could pursue a career in Muay Thai. I considered it as a way to make money because I was already well-known. The point when I started to feel that I had become famous was when I won against Kulabdam in three consecutive fights at Lumpinee Stadium.
“But I really became famous worldwide when I joined ONE.”
Indeed, Tawanchai has gained legions of fans across the globe over the course of his 11-bout tenure in ONE that’s seen him lose just one time.
Epic knockouts and dramatic World Title wins have undoubtedly played a major role in the Thai’s superstardom, but behind each of those unforgettable moments are countless hours of hard work in the gym.
With that in mind, Tawanchai offered advice to any other young fighter who dreams of international fame and acclaim:
“If you want to go this route, you have to go all the way. Be diligent, disciplined, and focus on your goals. I want everyone to grit their teeth and be patient. Success will surely come.
“Don’t be discouraged because combat sports can make you rich these days. You have to go all the way if you want to come this way.”
Tawanchai Says His Legacy Has Yet To Be Written
Despite his incredible success in the striking world across both Muay Thai and kickboxing, Tawanchai PK Saenchai remains modest and humble.
To that end, he won’t yet call himself the best:
“I think I’m probably one of the top pound-for-pound strikers in the world, but certainly not the one and only.”
Still in his mid-20s and with plenty of fight left in him, Tawanchai isn’t quite ready to start thinking about his legacy.
He knows the next few years will determine if he’s simply one of the best or a true all-time great, and that his World Title battle against Masaaki Noiri at ONE 172 will be a pivotal moment in his story.
Tawanchai added:
“I can’t say whether I will become a legend yet. It depends on my future performances to convince fans all over the world to consider me a legend.”
