Tawanchai ‘Proud’ Of Larsen KO, Looks Ahead To World Title Challenge Of Petchmorakot

Tawanchai PK.Saenchai officially earned his shot at the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title with a stunning knockout victory last Friday, 3 June.

The 23-year-old superstar scored a highlight-reel finish of Niclas Larsen in the main event of ONE 158 and was awarded the next challenge of divisional king Petchmorakot Petchyindee 

Despite Larsen’s intense pressure from the opening bell, the Thai striker stayed composed and delivered accurate counters until he landed the knockout left cross in the second round.

A clearly elated Tawanchai said afterward:

“I’m really proud of this fight. I used a lot of the things that I’ve been training and doing in my fight camp.

“Basically, [I was happy with] everything that I did in this fight. I really liked my overall performance. The counter with the kicks, the counter with the punches, it’s what I’ve been training for.”

The PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym representative has always possessed finishing ability, but he often felt drained when trying to compete in the lower weight classes.

That prompted a move up from bantamweight to featherweight, where his weapons appear even more powerful.

And after his emphatic KO of Larsen at the Singapore Indoor Singapore, Tawanchai feels confident that a successful future lies in the heavier weight class.

He said:

“In this division, I’m not tired from the weight cut, and it is mentally good for me during preparation in the fight camp. I think it will be easier in this weight division to take on the World Champion.”

Tawanchai Expects To Take World Title Belt From Petchmorakot

Petchmorakot Petchyindee is the most dominant athlete in ONE Championship’s featherweight Muay Thai ranks. With three successful World Title defenses, the reigning king has made the crown his own with some exciting performances.

The most recent was a hard-fought decision win over Jimmy Vienot at ONE 157, where Petchmorakot scored a huge fourth-round knockdown and ultimately retained his belt.

Tawanchai watched that matchup with interest, and he was impressed with the Petchyindee man’s performance. Now, he’s looking forward to an epic battle when they square off for the gold.

The future challenger said:

“I think during that fight, [Petchmorakot] showed he’s got really good body conditioning. Overall, he’s a really good fighter. He’s got great punches. And if we are to fight, it’s going to be a really big and really impactful fight.”

But while Tawanchai respects the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion, he believes he knows exactly what to expect in their showdown – and he feels ready to wrestle the belt from his grasp. 

It won’t be easy, but the PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym athlete is vowing to put more effort into his preparation than ever before so that he can push the reigning king for five intense rounds.

He added:

“When I fight Petchmorakot, I will train two or three times harder, and all my focus is going to be on taking that belt away from him. I know his game plan, I know who he is, I know how his game will be. I will read every step during the fight. My goal is to take that belt from him.

“I think I can [deliver a win like I did against Larsen]. And for my fans, I will do my best to show you my best performance.”