Reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon will seek to prove his divisional supremacy when he faces interim titleholder Masaaki Noiri in a title unification bout that headlines ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 35-year-old Thai striker faces the challenge of defeating the Japanese titleholder in his home country while rebounding from a recent setback against ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai. The five-round clash will crown an undisputed featherweight kickboxing king.
Thai Legend Superbon Determined to Avoid Repeat Mistakes
Image Courtesy of ONE Championship.
Superbon acknowledged the importance of delivering a flawless performance following his previous defeat in January, emphasizing his commitment to perfecting every aspect of his game plan. The Superbon Training Camp owner, who began competing at age 6, understands that championship fights require absolute precision.
“This is the fight that I cannot lack anything. I missed [a few things] in my previous fight, and I cannot make the same mistake again. I will make this the best fight in my life, as great as I can,” he stated.
The Thai champion brings 116 career victories into the title unification bout, as well as a reputation as one of the world’s pound-for-pound elite strikers. His experience across six ONE Championship victories has established him as the division’s premier talent, though the loss to Tawanchai has added urgency to his title defense.
Superbon Identifies Noiri’s Strengths and Weaknesses
The reigning champion provided a detailed analysis of his Japanese opponent, acknowledging both the home crowd advantage and specific technical attributes while identifying areas to exploit. Superbon’s assessment demonstrates his strategic approach to the unification challenge.
“Firstly, he gets to fight in his home country. With the crowd, he will get a lot of support. The other strength is his punches and his patience in waiting for his opponent to miss the timing [of their shots]. His weakness, meanwhile, I think he lacks variety in weapons. He doesn’t have that much adaptability,” the Thai explained.
The 32-year-old Japanese striker captured interim gold by defeating Tawanchai at ONE 172 earlier this year, avenging Superbon’s loss while earning a unification opportunity. Noiri’s 51-13 striking record and current two-bout winning streak demonstrate his readiness for this challenge.
Thai Champion Predicts Knockout Victory in Tokyo
Superbon expressed supreme confidence in his ability to deliver an entertaining performance while securing victory, ideally via knockout finish. The Thai legend believes his skill set and preparation will overwhelm Noiri despite the hostile environment.
“The fight is going to be entertaining, and I probably can do what I expect to do. I am sure I can earn this victory. And ending the fight with a knockout would make it a perfect victory,” he predicted about the title unification bout.
The clash between two elite featherweight kickboxers promises technical excellence and explosive action. ONE 173 takes place on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.