"I want to put him to the test" - Denis Puric ready to push Rodtang through the wringer at ONE 167
Denis Puric has spent a long time talking about the fight that he wants most in ONE Championship but now it is just several weeks away. 'The Bosnian Menace' has been very vocal about one specific challenge and opponent that he believes he is the man to conquer.
At ONE 167, he will finally get the opportunity to face Rodtang Jitmuangnon as the two men meet in a flyweight kickboxing bout. Puric has not been quiet about what he thinks of 'The Iron Man', but it comes from a place of respect and acknowledgment that he is one of the best in the world.
However, his next opponent does not believe that the ONE flyweight Muay Thai king has been taking fights as seriously as he should in recent times.
Puric knows full well that saying these things is sure to light a fire behind the eyes of the Thai superstar, but that is exactly what he wants.
He said on the ONE on SK podcast that he hopes to see the very best version of 'The Iron Man' stood across from him on fight night:
"100 percent, I want to fight the best Rodtang. I don't want to fight, like I said this in a past interview, a half-a**ed Rodtang. I want to face the best version of him. And I want to put him to the test. I also want to put myself to the test."
Watch the full interview below:
Denis Puric isn't concerned about being careful for what he wishes for
If the words of Denis Puric do inspire Rodtang to dedicate himself to training and be disciplined for this fight, it could be a tough night at the office for the 39-year-old veteran.
But as Denis Puric himself said, he wanted this fight to test himself and to try and put the pressure on 'The Iron Man' to meet his intensity. He has made it perfectly clear that this is the fight he wants and this is exactly why he wants it.
ONE 167 will air live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7. North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription can catch the entire card live and for free in U.S. primetime.