ONE X: new world title belt ushers in new era for ONE Championship as CEO Chatri Sityodtong hails ‘greatest ever card’
- ‘It’s 26.4 pounds of precious gold’ says CEO and chairman, with old design retired to mark promotion’s 10th anniversary event
- Chatri promises Saturday’s blockbuster 20-fight card will leave the returning fans in Singapore with ‘magical memory’
Wednesday’s ONE X press conference at Singapore Indoor Stadium was a momentous occasion for Asian martial arts promotion ONE Championship.
Not just because it ended more than a 2-year wait for media and fighters to be reunited in the same room, ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster 10th anniversary spectacular where the same arena will be filled at half-capacity with 6,000 fans.
But the organisation’s founder and CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, also revealed a new world title belt – with a special case designed by Tumi as part of a multi-year partnership with the premium lifestyle and luxury performance brand – which will start getting handed out this weekend to the winners of five title fights on the stacked 20-bout card.
“The belt is not only a stunning piece of art, but it’s a labour of love and design, and ultimately it’s reserved for only the best of the best in the world,” Chatri said.
“We are retiring our old belt after 10 years. This is the heaviest belt on the entire planet, of any organisation – 26.4 pounds of precious gold,” he added.