Jonathan Haggerty defends his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship at ONE 168: Denver in opposition to Superlek Kiatmoo9. His 19-year-old brother, Freddie, is aware of it’s a enormous match. It’s enormous not simply with the title on the road, however as a result of it could decide who’s the pound-for-pound king.
The 2 first met in 2018, with Superlek taking residence the win. The teenager was not a fan of how that match ended and believes the rematch will set issues straight. Since then, he has been impressed with how his brother has advanced and reworked as an athlete.
“Personally, I feel the primary struggle was stopped in essentially the most pathetic manner. It was the tiniest minimize on Jon. You would’ve put a plaster over it, it was so little. However for him to work again thus far, to develop a lot, and to have the possibility to even the scores, it couldn’t be greater. If he beats Superlek, he’s the pound-for-pound greatest,” Haggerty instructed ONE.
ONE 168: DENVER FIGHT CARD 🔥 ONE returns to Colorado with a loaded lineup on Friday, September 6, together with Jonathan Haggerty and Superlek’s Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title duel, Kade Ruotolo and Mikey Musumeci’s submission grappling dream match and MORE on @primevideo!… pic.twitter.com/xeiwOOxrQ1
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Each males have tasted the very best of highs within the six years since that match. Each males at present maintain titles. Freddie feels the true distinction is how his brother has been in a position to present his championship mettle in opposition to the bantamweight elite.
“He was a child within the first struggle. However he’s a person now. He’s greater, stronger, sooner, and smarter than the model of him in 2018. He’s been within the deep waters with these Thai guys. Even in opposition to Felipe Lobo, he’s been within the deep waters, and he is aware of he’s bought that canine in him. He is aware of he can dig deep, and if he has to have a dogfight, he is aware of he can try this,” the 19-year-old remarked.
Haggerty has been alongside his brother on this complete journey. As such, he has gotten to see how significantly “The Common” has been taking this most important occasion alternative for ONE Championship’s U.S. return. The proficient teen says he has by no means seen his brother this locked in earlier than a match.
“That is the perfect [Jonathan has] ever regarded. That is essentially the most devoted he has been. He’s by no means put as a lot work right into a struggle the way in which he’s for this one. The best way he’s consuming too, every little thing. He’s simply bought his head down. After I bought over right here for my struggle in July, he had already been grafting for weeks. It’s so vital, and it’s even greater together with his belt on the road. He clearly doesn’t need to lose that. He’s doing every little thing attainable to maintain maintain of it.”
The title tilt will likely be a troublesome go for each males. Nonetheless, Superlek has arguably been essentially the most good Muay Thai athlete over the previous two years. Haggerty shouldn’t be as eager on the Thai’s sport and thinks his brother has what it takes to keep away from the damaging blows. From there, the 19-year-old says “The Common” will seize management of the match.
“Superlek has one model, however he’s nice at it. His proper facet is so harmful. The precise kick and elbow are so deadly. I don’t imagine his punches are the best, so I feel the principle fear for Jon is to stay away from the elbows and the kicks. I don’t assume Jon will likely be too fearful, although. He’s engaged on an awesome sport plan to cease these kicks and elbows and have counters for every little thing. I feel he’s going to utterly smash it.”
So far as a prediction goes, Haggerty sees his brother profitable within the championship rounds. The Brit believes he can climate an early storm, break Superlek because the match heads into championship rounds, and finally end earlier than the bell. With no margin for error in four-ounce gloves, Haggerty predicts Denver will go away the Ball Area having skilled an all-time nice title match.
“He’ll drag him into some deep waters. No person has ever caught it on Superlek a lot. The one individual I’ve ever seen take it to him was Takeru in that spherical at ONE 165. Takeru had him damage. By some means he stayed standing. I don’t know the way, however he did. He took lots of photographs and confirmed coronary heart. But when Takeru can damage him in boxing gloves, I feel Jon can actually mess him up in 4-ounce gloves.”
ONE 168: Denver airs stay on Prime Video on Friday, September 6. The motion begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Tickets can be found by way of Ticketmaster.
