WATCH: Superlek toughens up his punches in training camp for potential barnburner against Kongthoranee at ONE Friday Fights 68
Superlek Kiatmoo9 isn't taking things lightly in his preparation for Kongthoranee Sor Sommai.
The reigning ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion will take on his fellow Thai slugger in a flyweight Muay Thai showdown at ONE Friday Fights 68 at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on June 28.
Less than two weeks before the card, Superlek took a bit of an unconventional route in building up the power behind his punches.
Superlek took to Instagram to show how he's been hitting the tires to improve his boxing and toughen up his hands ahead of his Bangkok showdown.
He wrote:
"The day is near ⚡️ ✌️"
Superlek is considered one of the best strikers of his generation, but boxing wasn't always his main weapon.
Nevertheless, the preparation he's putting in to improve his skills in The Sweet Science would put any high-level boxer to shame.
While tires may not be found in most conventional boxing gyms, practicing one's combinations on them is a great way to instill discipline and improve technique.
Since tires have a higher elasticity or bounce when hit than a regular heavy bag, it forces boxers and strikers to properly land their punches to avoid any untoward recoil or even injury.
Superlek, though, isn't just hitting the gym in preparation for Kongthoranee.
'The Kicking Machine' is set for a massive super fight when he challenges Jonathan Haggerty for the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title at ONE 168: Denver on September 6 at Ball Arena in Colorado.
Superlek details why fighting is more brains than brawn
On the surface, martial arts will often be seen purely as a physical endeavor.
Superlek, however, disputes that notion.
The Thai megastar said in an interview with Sportskeeda MMA that fighting without thinking is just a recipe for utter disaster.
"Of course, there will always be key takeaways in every fight. Every opponent has a different fighting style, I will have to analyze each of them and adjust to counter their plans. I gain more experience after each fight, and I can always rely on the wisdom more or less."