ONE Championship: Tawanchai apologizes to fans after boos, Chatri Sityodtong wants rematch with Jo Nattawut in Atlanta
ONE Championship boss Chatri Sityodtong called for an immediate rematch after Tawanchai PK Saenchai was roundly booed following a controversial victory on Saturday in Bangkok.
The featherweight Muay Thai champion took a majority draw against 'Smokin' Jo Nattawut in the main event of ONE 167 at Impact Arena, which did not go down well with many of the 12,000 fans.
Tawanchai got the nod from two judges, Ricky Sewell having it 48-47, while Mehdi Letailleur gave him four rounds. Shane Byrne saw it as a draw.
But the fans saw it differently, showering Tawanchai with boos while he tried to give a post-fight interview in the Circle. He said:
"I really have nothing to say ... I'm sorry if I have disappointed you."
Speaking at the post event press conference, Sityodtongthen told Sportskeeda he felt the judges got it wrong.
"I thought Jo Nattawut won. It was a very close fight, very close. But I thought Jo did enought to win. For me, I would have gone to damage. Tawanchai had more damage on him that Jo did."
Indeed, the 25-year-old Tawanchai did not make it to the press conference, as he was instead transported to the hospital for his injuries.
Sityodtong then said he wants a another rematch between the two at ONE 170 in Atlanta – where Nattawut lives and trains – in November.
The 34-year-old Thai Nattawut – whom some fans felt also defeated Tawanchai in their first encounter, a three-round kickboxing fight last year – laughed with his team when told by Sportskeeda of Sityodtong's comments outside Impact Arena, where a long line of fans looking for photos with him snaked into the car-park. He said:
"Oh no. Training camp is gonna start soon!"
Nattawut also reiterated "the belt is still the goal" as he signed autographs and took selfies with his fervent supporters, many of whom cheered him on his way to the back after he left the Circle.
ONE has yet to formally announce the Atlanta card, though it is set for November 8 at State Farm Arena, the home arena of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks basketball team.