SUMMARY
- Tawanchai PK Saenchai is set to rematch Jo Nattawut at ONE 167.
- Ahead of the bout, Tawanchai opens up on his fame.
Tawanchai PK Saenchai has experienced a meteoric rise to fame over his three-year tenure on the ONE Championship roster, but he’s not letting it get to his head.
The ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion is preparing to defend his crown for the third time when he faces fellow Thai star and old foe “Smokin” Jo Nattawut at ONE 167 on Prime Video. The blockbuster event goes down at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Ahead of the fight, Tawanchai was in a reflective mood.
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“ONE Championship has changed my life in a very good way. My life is better and more comfortable,” he said.
“But I’m still just acting normal. I don’t see myself as a celebrity or someone special. I’m still the same Tawanchai who eats street food as usual. It’s important not to get blinded by the spotlight and always remember that behind an able man, there are always other able men. Fame doesn’t stay for long. Don’t forget your true self.”
Tawanchai defeated Nattawut in a razor-thin unanimous decision this past October after one of the most memorable kickboxing battles of 2023.
Tawanchai reveals the heights of his newfound fame
Ahead of his highly anticipated rematch with Jo Nattawut at ONE 167 on Prime Video, Tawanchai PK Saenchai revealed the heights of his fame at home in Thailand.
The 25-year-old has become a social media sensation with more than 760,000 followers on Instagram, and he enjoys numerous endorsements from local franchises.
As a result, he can barely walk down the street without attention from his fans.
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“I feel like what my fans like is my work. When they come to me and ask for a selfie or something, I’ll let them take pictures until they are satisfied. I don’t feel uncomfortable,” he said.
“Except when I’m training or running. I’ll ask them to wait for me for a moment because I want to complete my training first. When I go running, there will be children, women, and old people coming and calling my name. And I saw many women who never watched Muay Thai before coming to watch the fights live.”
Tawanchai is riding a seven-fight winning streak, and he has held the featherweight Muay Thai crown since 2022.