“They put UK on the map of Muay Thai” - Jonathan Haggerty reflects on his fight with Thai legend Sam-A
Double ONE world champion Jonathan Haggerty of the United Kingdom has been part of a number of memorable fights in ONE Championship. However, he said that his victory over Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao has special significance for opening opportunities not only for him but his fellow British fighters.
'The General' battled Sam-A in May 2019 for the Thai fighter's flyweight Muay Thai world title. Despite coming in as an underdog, the Orpington, England, native rose up to the challenge and won by unanimous decision to become the new champion in the division.
In a retrospective video he posted on YouTube, Jonathan Haggerty discussed, among other things, the significance of his victory over Sam-A, especially in relation to how U.K. fighters are now being viewed in Muay Thai.
He said:
"And I feel like after this fight, they put the U.K. on the map of Muay Thai. I feel like they started signing a lot more U.K. fighters to the roster. I just feel like I put the U.K. on the map..."
Check out what he had to say below:
Following his victory over Sam-A, Jonathan Haggerty lost the flyweight belt in his first defense against another Thai superstar, Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
But despite that, he still found ways to soar, including chalking up victories against other top fighters to win the bantamweight Muay Thai and kickboxing titles and become a two-sport world champion.
Jonathan Haggerty to fly British Muay Thai banner in the U.S.
ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Jonathan Haggerty will continue to banner British Muay Thai when he defends his title later this year in the United States.
The 27-year-old Knowlesy Academy/Team Underground standout stakes his belt against Thai superstar Superlek Kiatmoo9 in an all-champion clash at ONE 168 in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A., on Sept. 6.
It will be part of the event happening at the Ball Arena, home of the NBA's Denver Nuggets.
It will be his second defense of the world title he won in April last year, having successfully retained it in his last match back in February with a TKO victory over Brazilian challenger Felipe Lobo.
Out to take away the title from him is Superlek, the reigning ONE flyweight kickboxing king and a fighter on 10-bout winning streak.
Tickets for ONE 168: Denver are now available on Ticketmaster. It will be broadcast live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.