“There’s a target on my back” - Jonathan Haggerty says kickboxing world title defense in his near future
Jonathan Haggerty is set to defend the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title this week in the United States but he is also positioning to defend the kickboxing gold in his possession as well at some point next for things to move in the division.
'The General' laid this down during the press conference for ONE 168: Denver, where his title defense against flyweight kickboxing king Superlek Kiatmoo9 will be the headlining contest on Sept. 6. He underscored that apart from the bantamweight Muay Thai belt, the division's kickboxing lane is also a priority for him.
The 27-year-old Englishman said:
"Yeah, you know, like you said there's a target on my back but I take it as a massive compliment, everyone wants to fight me. I think [No. 1 bantamweight Muay Thai contender] Nico [Carrillo] is definitely next in line, but I'm also the kickboxing champ as well, so I wouldn't wanna hold that division up."
But before he moves on to other things, the priority for Jonathan Haggerty is to successfully defend once again the bantamweight Muay Thai world title at ONE: 168. Standing in his way is Thai superstar Superlek, who is highly determined to realize his goal of becoming a two-sport world champion.
ONE 168 will take place at the Ball Arena in Denver and air live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription. Tickets for the event, meanwhile, are available on Ticketmaster.
Jonathan Haggerty has no time for his doubters
Jonathan Haggerty knows doubters are part and parcel of being a prized fighter. He, however, is not allowing them to affect him, focusing instead on working on his game and producing positive results.
He made this clear in his interview session with the Inside Fighting podcast, which was uploaded on YouTube on Sept. 1, ahead of his defense of the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title at ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 6.
'The General' said:
"Nah, I didn't really feel any effect from the doubters, really. At the end of the day, I'm the one getting in there. I'm the one with the recognition."
At ONE 168, Jonathan Haggerty will try to fortify further his standing as one of the best, if not the best, fighters in the game today with a victory over another prized warrior in Superlek.