Srisaket Sor Rungvisai Plans To Make Thailand Proud At ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES

ONE Championship’s upcoming event in Bangkok will showcase the art of boxing for the first time in a blockbuster main event.

ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES will take place at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday, 6 October, as WBC Super Flyweight Champion of the World Srisaket Sor Rungvisai steps into the ring to defend his title against Mexican contender Iran “MagnifiKO” Diaz.

The sports of mixed martial arts, kickboxing and Muay Thai will also all be represented on a stacked card of action.

In Srisaket, the event in Thailand will feature a legitimate national hero.

The 31-year-old has amassed a professional boxing record of 46-4-1, with 41 of his victories coming by way of knockout. 

He is considered to be one of the top pound-for-pound athletes in the sport, and he can’t wait to showcase his skills in front of a home crowd, as well as a huge global audience.

“I’m very proud to be fighting in Thailand, where the Thai fans will show me support,” Srisaket says.

“Defending my title in front of my home crowd is very important to me, and I thank ONE Championship for giving me the opportunity.

“When I hear the Thai fans shouting, ‘Srisaket Su Su’ (Keep fighting, Srisaket), I feel motivated and electrically charged!”

The bout will pit head to head two boxers from nations with rich histories inside the squared circle.

Diaz will pose the latest challenge to Srisaket’s title, and the Mexican has enlisted the help of a Mexican boxing legend, former four-weight World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez to help him during his training camp for the bout.

“The Mexicans are very determined. They won’t back down. They will only move forward,” the Thai says.

“Diaz is not easy to defeat. He’s very skilful, and his style is very versatile. I have to watch his jab, and the one-two combination, because Mexicans are very skilful at jabbing. They are the best at this.”

Srisaket’s abilities are undoubtedly world-class, and were illustrated perfectly in his victories over former World Champions “Magic Box” Yota Sato and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.

The Thai finished both former champions by knockout, and he says he is confident he can repeat the feat against Diaz on 6 October.

“My confidence in my ability to win by knockout is 100 percent,” he says.

“I think there’s no way he can beat me. I just have to be cautious. I won’t let this belt get taken away from me that easily.”

The bout gives Srisaket the opportunity to defend his title again, to chase a 42nd career knockout, and compete in front of the biggest audience of his career – thanks to the scale of ONE Championship’s live events and potential global audience of 1.7 billion people.

The Thai says he wants to give his fellow countryman an occasion to remember, while enhancing the stature of his nation in the eyes of fans around the world.

“I’m happy that I can bring a good reputation to the country, and that I can bring smiles to the faces of Thai people and make them happy,” he explains.

“Their support will help me to not feel tired, and I will feel stronger. I should be able to finish the fight around the seventh or eighth round.”