Smokin’ Jo Nattuwut is set to return to ONE Super Series for a rematch with Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan in his homeland of Thailand on Friday, 16 August at ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD.
The stakes are high for the 29-year-old Thai hero to prevail in his most difficult bout to date.
If he beats the number one kickboxer and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in kickboxing history, he will earn a spot in the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix final in October, where the prize of US$1 million awaits.
“I’m excited about the rematch, I’ve been wanting this fight for a while now,” he said.
“I didn’t think too much about the first fight [during my preparation] – he was the better fighter that night – but this time around, I am more prepared and better trained. I’ll be bringing a better version of myself.”
Smokin’ Jo is currently riding a four-bout winning streak and is a three-time Muay-Thai World Champion. Though “The Doctor” got the best of him in their last bout, Nattawut has learned a lot since then and is now ready for another shot at Petrosyan.
“I don’t think he has any weaknesses as a fighter, but his boxing is his biggest asset. He’s got it all – technique, speed, and agility,” Nattawut said.
“But, I have prepared accordingly and will be bringing my best. My plan is to keep it simple and perfect the little things.”
“I didn’t prepare anything special, I am just keeping it basic and making sure I am in the best possible shape,” he added.
“The Doctor” is fresh from his victory at ONE: MASTERS OF DESTINY less than a month ago, while Nattawut had almost three months of rest and preparation for this bout.
“Petchmorakot backed up too much in the third round, whereas Petrosyan was a lot more active,” Nattawut explained.
“I’ll need to stay busy. It will be important for me not to back up in this fight. I’m going to have to work really hard for this win.”
“I don’t feel either of us are going into this fight with an advantage. He’s going to be preparing really hard, as I am. We’re both coming to win,” he added.
The two athletes will be facing off in Thailand where a lot of Nattawut’s countrymen will watch at the Impact Arena to show him support.
“It doesn’t really matter the location, wherever I fight, it feels the same when I get in the ring,” he said.
“It will be great to have the Thai people cheering for me, but it is just me and him in there and that is what I need to focus on.”
Nattawut can potentially face Samy Sana or Dzhabar Askerov in the Grand Prix finals if he wins. But he is focused on nothing but this Friday’s bout.
“Thinking about winning can get you ahead of yourself sometimes, so it is best to first focus on the task at hand,” he concluded. “We’ll just have to wait and see what is going to happen in the ring.”
