“He’s found another prime” - Young star Freddie Haggerty won’t turn down a match against resurging legend Sam-A 

Like any young star, Freddie Haggerty yearns for that one career-defining matchup where he faces an absolute legend in the sport.

Haggerty is one of the most promising young stars in ONE Championship, and there is one man he's determined to face off against in his march to the elite circles in the promotion.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Haggerty said he wants an inter-generational matchup against the legendary Sam-A Gaiyanghadao.

Haggerty, the younger brother of ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Haggerty, lauded Sam-A's recent form despite being at the age where fighters are comfortably retired.

The youngster added that Sam-A seems to have entered a new prime stage despite being 41.

"It's like he's found another prime somehow. So to face him and beat him at that weight, in his prime, would be amazing," said Freddie Haggerty.

Sam-A is one of the most decorated and greatest Muay Thai fighters of all time, having won multiple world titles in Thailand's toughest stadiums and in ONE Championship.

The Thai legend was a three-division Lumpinee Stadium world champion before arriving in ONE Championship in 2018.

Sam-A then pushed his greatness further on the global stage when he became the inaugural holder of the ONE flyweight Muay Thai, strawweight Muay Thai, and strawweight kickboxing world titles.

Haggerty, meanwhile, is still carving out his space in ONE Championship and holds three wins in the promotion.

Watch Haggerty's entire interview below:

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Freddie Haggerty determined to carve his own path away from Jonathan Haggerty's shadow

Freddie Haggerty may have followed in his older brother's footsteps, but he's determined to step away from Jonathan Haggerty's shadow.

In the same interview with the South China Morning Post, Haggerty said he's glad that his brother gave him an instant boost in terms of notoriety the moment he debuted in ONE Championship.

Haggerty, however, is hellbent on securing a legacy on his own. He said:

"People know that I'm not just here because I'm my brother's brother, and I'm getting that boost up. I'm here. I want to fight. I want to prove myself and show how much it means to me."