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Petchtanong Petchfergus is running out of time to become a ONE Championship world title holder.
Petchtanong has accomplished plenty throughout his Muay Thai/Kickboxing career, building a record of 357-56-1. The 37-year-old still has one goal that hasn’t been fulfilled - winning a ONE world title.
The number three-ranked bantamweight kickboxer will have an opportunity to win ONE gold when he takes on Hiroki Akimoto in the ONE Championship 163 main event. During an interview with the promotion, he had this to say:
“I would also like to make the most of this opportunity. This might be my last title shot before I decide to retire. I’m 37 years old now. I started this career because of passion, not money.”
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Akimoto became the bantamweight kickboxing world champion with a win against Capitan Petchyindee at ONE X in March. The Japanese-born fighter is now looking to defend the title for the first time against Petchtanong, who is dangerous despite his age.
The 37-year-old enters ONE 163 with a chip on his shoulder to prove he’s still an elite fighter.
Petchtanong Petchfergus believes he has something to prove at 37 years old
Petchtanong Petchfergus was headlining events at the legendary Lumpinee Stadium as a young teenager. Muay Thai and kickboxing are often referred to as a young man’s sport, but the 37-year-old wants to prove that narrative wrong at ONE 163.
While speaking with ONE Championship, he had this to say about forgoing his planned retirement:
“I actually planned to retire for a while, but when I lost to Capitan, I became more motivated and wanted to get redemption. I was determined to come back stronger. I want to prove to everyone that I still have great potential even when I’m 37 already.”
After stepping away from competition for three years, Petchtanong signed with ONE Championship and lost his debut to Capitan Petchyindee in an astonishing six-second knockout.
Most expected that would be the end of his career, but the four-time Muay Thai world champion bounced back a year later with a win against Zhang Chenglong. The 37-year-old now looks set to shock the kickboxing world by upsetting Hiroki Akimoto at ONE 163.
Check out the ONE Championship 163 fight card featuring Petchtanong Petchfergus below:
