"I will try to knock him out" - Rodtang confident he "will find the openings" to see off Jacob Smith early in rematch
Rodtang feels super confident that Jacob Smith won't get past the first few rounds with him during their rematch this Friday in Thailand. The Thai superstar is set to collide with the English brawler in a catchweight world title bout at ONE 169 following Rodtang's disappointing weigh-in on Thursday.
As a consequence to missing weight, Rodtang is no longer eligible to reclaim his belt. With that said, Smith has a wide window of opportunity to become the new face of the flyweight Muay Thai division.
But if there's anything we know about Rodtang is that he's very much determined to end the fight early.
Speaking to Nick Atkins ahead of his rematch, 'The Iron Man' said:
"I will find the openings. If there is any chance, I will try to knock him out. But I will have to just go in the ring and see how the game goes."
See the interview below:
Rodtang continues to be as fired up as ever to get back in everyone's good graces. The game plan obviously hasn't changed. The idea is to test Smith early wtih heavy counter-combinations from the outside, before zeroing in at close range where he does the most damage.
Watch Rodtang and Smith deliver another action-packed brawl at ONE 169, which airs live in Canada and the US via Prime Video.
"I promise to bring you back" - Rodtang Jitmuangnon shares emotional message to the fans on Instagram after losing his coveted flyweight Muay Thai belt this week
Rodtang sent his fans an emotional message on Instagram after being stripped of his flyweight Muay Thai world title for missing weight.
The Thai megastar is an awkward position now that he won't be able to reclaim his crown. In the past, Rodtang has always struggled to meet hydration and weight requirements for some of his most impoprtant matches.
Fortunately, the fight is still on. Jacob Smith will receive 20 percent of Rodtang's purse after accepting to fight the former Thai champion at catchweight.
Expressing his emotional state of mind on Instagram this week, Rodtang talked about his belt with the following message to the fans saying:
"In the 7 years we've been together, I've done my best. If we part ways, I won't go far. I promise to bring you back. I've done my best."