"It means a lot" - Superbon on the importance of beating 'very tough' Marat Grigorian in their trilogy bout
ONE interim featherweight kickboxing world champion Superbon says his recent victory over Marat Grigorian this past April was an important juncture in his bid to stay hot on the heels of divisional king Chingiz Allazov.
The 34-year-old striker dropped two of his last three fights heading into their trilogy match at ONE Friday Fights 58. While everyone expected their interim world title fight to be a closely fought affair, the Superbon Training Camp founder stayed one step ahead of his Armenian nemesis to bag home a clear-cut unanimous decision win.
Looking back on the significance of his victory over the No.2-ranked contender, Superbon told the South China Morning Post (SCMP):
"Marat is a very tough fighter in the featherweight division. He's very successful in the weight class. So it means a lot that I beat him and to stay on top of the featherweight kickboxing division."
Superbon says two-sport dream is still very much alive: "Next title fight, for sure, is going to be me"
While his mind is set on a unification fixture against Allazov, who dethroned him with a second-round knockout in January last year, Superbon is also on the hunt to complete his two-sport dream.
The Bangkok-based star was unsuccessful in his bid to unseat Tawanchai PK Saenchai from the throne at ONE Friday Fights 46 this past December. However, a triumph for him in his next outing could potentially set him up for another shot at the ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion.
He meets 'Smokin' Jo Nattawut in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 81 in a Muay Thai joust inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 27.
In the same interview with SCMP, he continued:
"Of course, I need to fight Jo in this fight to challenge for the world title again. I don't know which one between Jo and Tawanchai is going to win. But next title fight, for sure, is going to be me."
Watch the full interview here:
ONE Friday Fights 81 will be available via pay-per-view at watch.onefc.com.