International Muay Thai contest set for kick-off in Bangkok on Friday

The partnership aims to develop Muay Thai on a global scale.

The collaboration will see both organisations work together to establish One Hero Series Muay Thai in Thailand, which seeks to discover grass-roots Muay Thai talent at both the local and international levels.

The goal of the One Hero Series is to provide young up-and-coming Muay Thai athletes a global platform to showcase their skills and carve out a path towards a professional career in the sport.

The press conference was attended by One Championship president Jitinat Asdamongkol, One Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon, One Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion Stamp Fairtex, former champion Jonathan Haggerty, Victor Pinto, Muangthai PKSaenchaimuaythai Gym and Sangmanee Sathian MuayThai Gym. Also in attendance were Khemmapol Auitayakul, secretary to the Tourism and Sports minister, and Tanukiat Janchum, director of the Professional Sports Development and Boxing Department.

“I am excited to announce a partnership with the Sports Authority of Thailand,” said One Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. “Together, we will work towards developing the sport of Muay Thai not just in the country but also globally. There is a lot of spectacular Muay Thai talent in Thailand. As an organisation, we want to be able to give them the tools they need to be successful. Our One Championship athletes are ready to showcase their incredible skills this Friday night,” he added.

“I’m honoured to be defending my One Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship in the first main event of the year, and more importantly, I am very happy to be able to do it in my home country of Thailand,” Rodtang said. “Jonathan Haggerty is a very talented fighter and he is a former champion. In our first fight, we put on a great show for the fans, and I am sure that we will do the same in this rematch. I am also sure that as in the first fight, I will show everyone that I am the better fighter and the rightful champion,” added Rodtang.

“I am thankful to One Championship for giving me the opportunity to challenge the title again, and I am thankful to Rodtang for accepting the bout,” Haggerty said. “I am excited to be able to compete in Thailand, and I welcome the pressure of being a visitor in hostile territory, or so to speak. Rodtang is a fantastic champion and he pushed me to my limit during our first meeting. But now, I am back to take down another Thai legend and reclaim my One Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship,” he vowed.

Said Jitinat: “It is our absolute honour to have the Sports Authority of Thailand in attendance today as we announce our partnership. At One Championship, we have a huge responsibility to guide the next generation of martial artists towards becoming honourable and respectable athletes. We believe developing our martial arts talent in true Asian values is of utmost importance. This partnership with SAT helps us provide our youth with a bright future, and a viable career in Muay Thai.”