Saemapetch Banking On Experience Advantage To End Nico Carrillo’s Winning Streak
Former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title challenger and Thai fan favorite Saemapetch Fairtex is excited to put on a show for his compatriots this Friday, July 5, at ONE Fight Night 23: Ok vs. Rasulov on Prime Video.
That night in U.S. primetime, the 29-year-old knockout artist will take on #1-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender Nico “King of the North” Carrillo in a high-stakes showdown at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
A veteran of nearly 150 professional fights, including 14 thrilling battles in ONE, the hard-hitting Saemapetch has long been a mainstay of the bantamweight Muay Thai division’s upper echelon, and he’ll come into this contest as the #4-ranked contender.
His opponent, Carrillo, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in ONE, reeling off three straight knockout wins – two against respected Thais – to boost himself up the divisional ranks.
Understandably, Saemapetch is hungry to put an end to the Scot’s winning streak and he’s happy to do it in front of a raucous Bangkok crowd.
He told onefc.com:
“I’m so pumped for this fight to be able to represent the Thai people in the ring at ONE Fight Night 23. No matter what happens, I will do my best to make Thai fans proud of me.”
Given Carrillo’s impressive run in ONE that includes knockouts of former Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion “Elbow Zombie” Muangthai PK Saenchai and former long-reigning bantamweight Muay Thai kingpin Nong-O Hama, Saemapetch is quick to praise his opponent’s obvious talent.
With no glaring weaknesses he can see on film, the Thai plans to lean on his veteran savvy and feel out Carrillo once they are toe-to-toe inside the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium ring:
“Nico has almost everything. He is a foreign fighter with good Muay Thai skills. I still can’t find his weakness, but maybe he’ll reveal it in the ring. When I see his style up close, I will find the best way to approach him.”
Well-aware of the terrifying power Carrillo carries in 4-ounce gloves, Saemapetch knows that one small mistake could be his undoing.
With that in mind, he says that his intelligent defense and crafty counter-strikes – honed over a lifetime of training in “the art of eight limbs” – will play a key role in this pivotal clash.
He added:
“My experience as a veteran Thai boxer will help a lot in this fight, like how to defend or counter. But even though he doesn’t have as many fights as me, in the ring, with 4-ounce small gloves, the first who makes a mistake can be knocked down. It’s up to me to neutralize his game.”
Saemapetch Feels Ready To Fight Anyone
If he’s able to take out the top-ranked Nico Carrillo at ONE Fight Night 23, Saemapetch Fairtex will have staked his claim for another shot at the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title.
Never one to pick and choose his opponents, the Thai athlete didn’t think twice about accepting this fight against the surging Scottish standout. Considering the talent-laden bantamweight Muay Thai division, Saemapetch expected a dangerous opponent no matter what.
He said:
“I never thought about which opponent ONE would offer to me in my next fight. Looking at the rankings, we had to meet each other anyway. I’m not worried about fighting anyone. I can fight anyone in our division – all of them.”
While a crack at gold could potentially be on the table, Saemapetch isn’t overly concerned about the World Title.
With reigning titleholder Jonathan “The General” Haggerty set to defend his belt in a blockbuster matchup against Superlek Kiatmoo9 this September at ONE 168: Denver, he knows that anything could happen.
To that end, Saemapetch remains laser-focused on Carrillo:
“If I can beat Nico, it’s up to ONE to give me a World Title or not. At least I’ll be ranked #1 as I was before.”
