Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong Eager For Kickboxing Super-Bout
Kickboxing fans rejoiced when “The Killer Kid” Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong’s ONE Super Series signing was announced last week, and there is one match-up in particular that the world wants to see.
The division’s ranks are stacked with talent, but a potential contest with ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Champion Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan has been the biggest topic of conversation.
The sport’s hardcore supporters have clamored for that battle for years, and now it looks inevitable with both men on the ONE Championship roster.
For his part, the Thai sensation is eager to finally give the global fanbase what it wants.
“Since I signed with ONE, many fans have had their eyes on me, and they want me to fight with Petrosyan,” he offers.
“I have fought with many kickboxers already — some I fought so many times that I felt bored. But for Petrosyan, I have never even fought him once. I followed him everywhere, but he always seems to run away from me!”
“The Killer Kid” was first introduced to “The Doctor” back in 2013, when he made his kickboxing debut in the Armenian-Italian’s current hometown of Milan.
He immediately fell in love with Petrosyan’s slick style, and, as a fellow southpaw, started to learn from his impeccable technique.
“When I was still a no-name kickboxer, I fought in his hometown. I was the second prelim on that event and he was the main event,” Sitthichai recalls.
“I watched him fight and thought, ‘Wow, that was amazing.’ He is a great kickboxer, clever, and really sharp.”
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At first, the Thai was in awe of Petrosyan’s unique skill set and style, but when he switched from “the art of eight limbs” to kickboxing full-time in 2015, he quickly got up to speed in the similar — yet distinct — striking art.
This gave him the confidence to believe he could challenge “The Doctor” and even beat him.
“I was scared of him before, but now I am not,” Sitthichai admits.
“He has sharp weapons, good eyes, heavy punches, and accuracy. Now I have enough experience to fight him because I have been fighting kickboxing rules all the time.”
With both men competing in the world’s largest martial arts organization, the colossal super-bout could happen sooner rather than later, and “The Killer Kid” relishes the prospect of throwing down with one of his inspirations in the near future.
However, the 12-time kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion is not underestimating the task.
To deliver a performance worthy of the anticipation when he faces off against the man many consider as the greatest kickboxer of all time, “The Killer Kid” thinks he will have to acclimate to his new surroundings first.
Then, he can deal with the perilous task of squaring off against the Armenian-Italian legend.
“The fans have lots of expectations, which gives me a lot of pressure. Pressure is always there when I step into the ring, but now I haven’t even fought yet and I am already under pressure,” he admits.
“Under kickboxing rules, I can fight anyone. But if I could choose, I would like to ask for a couple of warm-up fights first. I would like to adjust to the ring, rules, and weight checks of ONE.
“[Petrosyan] is my idol. I always tried to compare myself with him. I would like to be as good as him, I would like to test myself against him, and I would like to beat him!”
Read more: Recent Signings Bolster The Featherweight Kickboxing Ranks
