Advertisement
ONE Championship
Martial ArtsKickboxing

ONE Championship: fans question Tawanchai win over Jo Nattawut, accuse judges of ‘robbery, bias’ in kickboxing fight

  • Scorecards cause a stir as Tawanchai admits he was not at his best in decision victory over Nattawut at Fight Night 14 in Bangkok
  • Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong admits ‘it was a very close fight’ but says Muay Thai champ ‘consistently landed heavier blows’

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Tawanchai embraces Jo Nattawaut after their kickboxing match at ONE Fight Night 15. Photos: ONE Championship
Nicolas Atkin
All martial arts content – including ONE Championship coverage – has been made freely available. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing.
Advertisement

Tawanchai PK Saenchai’s unanimous decision victory over “Smokin’” Jo Nattawut at ONE Fight Night 15 has been questioned by fans, with some going as far as calling it a “robbery”.

ONE Championship’s featherweight Muay Thai champion took scores of 29-28, 30-27, and 30-27 from the three ringside judges at Lumpinee Stadium on Saturday morning in Bangkok.

 
The 24-year-old Thai admitted his performance in his second kickboxing fight under the ONE banner was not his best, having agreed a late change of opponent and ruleset after an injury scuppered a planned title defence against Superbon Singha Mawynn.

“I feel like I held back a little bit,” Tawanchai told reporters backstage during a media scrum. “I want it to be a bit more smooth fighting in kickboxing rules, also a bit more relaxed – I was a bit stiff.

“Hopefully I can improve myself in kickboxing. In the future I have to learn more about the kickboxing rules.

Advertisement

“I thought that I would have the advantage, because I’ve been fighting many fights but I know that Jo Nattawut is a very strong fighter as well.

Advertisement