Superbon Vs Noiri Preview, ONE 173: Thai Superstar Vows To Silence Rabid Tokyo Crowd

Reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon will walk into hostile territory to face interim titleholder Masaaki Noiri in front of a raucous Japanese hometown crowd at ONE 173. The 35-year-old will make his trek to the Circle with cold confidence in this highly anticipated World Title unification clash.

The Thai superstar will meet the Japanese kickboxing veteran in the main event at Ariake Arena on Sunday, November 16, to determine the lone ruler of the 155-pound crown.

Superbon is entering an unfavorable environment in Tokyo, though the 35-year-old veteran is used to competing against the very best in foreign territory.

In Thailand, he’s a beloved combat sports figure who has amassed a 116-37 professional record, and his performances in the ring have electrified the world’s biggest arenas.

On November 16, Superbon will enter the biggest fight of his career against a dangerous opponent in Noiri, who has proven his knack for delivering the improbable.

That being said, the Superbon Training Camp founder remains unfazed by the challenge that lies ahead:

“I feel like the crowd roars very loudly for the fighters of their home countries. In the end, there are only two fighters fighting one another in the ring.

“I am quite confident that I will perform well and be able to mute the audience. I will have people asking to take photos with me after the match.”

With Noiri leading the latest surge of Japanese strikers in the world’s largest martial arts organization, the ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion has ignited belief across the country that its stars can hang with the elite.

But Superbon refuses to buy into the hype. The Thai legend has built his entire career on making dangerous opponents look ordinary, and he plans on doing the same to Noiri when the Circle door closes and the bell rings at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri.

The Thai icon shared:

“If Japanese fighters think they have something to put me down, for me, I don’t think so. And I personally think that is impossible.

“I have seen many kickboxers with the same fighting style as Noiri. I have been training in the same style for kickboxing. I have some methods to cope with great and strong kickboxers with this same style.”

Superbon Won’t Make The Same Mistakes Tawanchai Did Against Noiri

Masaaki Noiri earned Superbon’s respect with a pair of electric finishes in his last two bouts. The most impressive to date, however, was the Japanese fighter’s incredible come-from-behind TKO win over ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai at ONE 172 this past March.

The Team Vasileus representative faced overwhelming odds against the heavily favored Thai superstar, who owns two victories over Superbon himself. Because of this, few gave Noiri any chance, but he delivered a stunning upset anyway.

While the world fully expected Tawanchai to win, Superbon knew his countryman was at a disadvantage against Noiri, who was more experienced under the kickboxing rule set.

The Thai tactician explained:

“I don’t think it’s that surprising because Noiri has been a kickboxer for such a long time. Tawanchai also did kickboxing before, but he didn’t do it as great as he did in Muay Thai.

“Kickboxing has many differences, such as no leg pulling when you’re kicked, no holding when striking, which is probably something he is not used to.”

Superbon watched Noiri come from behind against Tawanchai to dismantle a seemingly invincible adversary in the blink of an eye. It serves as a reminder that one tiny mistake in this sport could mean the difference between victory and defeat.

The ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion is prepared to do whatever it takes to defend his throne at all costs against a proven dynasty-ender.

Superbon concluded:

“Being up there in the ring with your opponent, no one is really the underdog. The key is who is better prepared, more ready, better planned for each moment up there.

“I cannot take him for granted at all because he showed it in his previous fight with Tawanchai. It was thought that Tawanchai was far beyond him, but in this sport, you can get knocked off easily in one shot. You cannot take it for granted even for one second up there.”

Source