Superbon Earns Hard-Fought Win Over Grigorian, Bags Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Title
Superbon beat one rival and got closer to another in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 58.
On April 5, the #1-ranked Thai superstar defeated longtime nemesis and #2-ranked Marat Grigorian to claim the ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship, essentially securing the next shot at old tormentor and reigning divisional king Chingiz Allazov.
In the early rounds of their fight at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Superbon used his step-in knees to soften up Grigorian’s body. The Armenian responded with punches, but that only encouraged his foe to batter his arms with kicks.
Grigorian came to life mid-fight as he drove punches right through the guard of Superbon. The latter, showing signs of wear and tear, was forced to absorb them and go into survival mode.
In the championship rounds, however, Superbon caught his second wind and began to attack again with step-in knees. One after the next they came in, folding Grigorian where he stood.
With every attack the 33-year-old landed, his confidence grew. And by the final minute of the fight, he’d left everything in the ring.
In the end, all three judges awarded Superbon the unanimous decision. With his victory, the former undisputed divisional titleholder claimed 26 pounds of interim gold, took a 2-1 lead over Grigorian in their rivalry, and improved his career record to 115-36.
