Reigning ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion Superbon of Thailand wasn’t as shocked as the rest of the world when Masaaki Noiri pulled off a comeback KO against Tawanchai PK Saenchai at ONE 172 in March. According to the Thai superstar, he saw the upset coming from a mile away since Noiri possessed the tools to achieve the feat.
The 155-pound kickboxing kingpin told ONE Championship, “I don’t think it’s that surprising because Noiri has been a kickboxer for such a long time. Tawanchai also did kickboxing before, but he didn’t do it as well as he did in Muay Thai.”
The Superbon Training Camp leader added, “Kickboxing has many differences, such as no leg pulling when you’re kicked, no holding when striking, which is probably something he is not used to.”
After absorbing Tawanchai’s best shots, Noiri roared back and unleashed a devilish combination to stop the reigning ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion. That legacy-defining victory earned him the interim crown.
Now, the Japanese superstar will seek the undisputed belt when he faces Superbon in a world title unification battle at ONE 173 on Nov. 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
*Check out the full fight below:*
[Embed fight video here]
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### Superbon confident of victory despite Masaaki Noiri’s hometown advantage
Despite entering enemy territory for the most important bout of his career, Superbon remains as cool as a cucumber. After all, the 35-year-old battle-hardened warrior is used to delivering under pressure and shines when the stakes are at their highest.
The featherweight kickboxing world champion told ONE, “I am quite confident that I will perform well and be able to mute the audience. I will have people asking to take photos with me after the match.”
Superbon’s confidence is well warranted since he’s proven time and time again that he is one of the most technically superior strikers alive.
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