Haggerty backing Superlek to take down Takeru in Tokyo, but will miss fight to watch brother’s ONE Championship debut
- Jonathan Haggerty believes Superlek Kiatmoo9 has the edge ahead of headline fight at ONE 165
- Freddie Haggerty has his first bout for the promotion at ONE Friday Fights 49 in strawweight clash with Dankalong Sor Dechaphan
Jonathan Haggerty knows the kind of power Superlek Kiatmoo9 can bring to a fight, and he thinks it will prove just too much for the Thai fighter’s opponent at ONE 165.
The Englishman was cut so badly during their bout in 2018 the doctor called off the contest at the end of the second round.
Superlek takes on home favourite Takeru in Tokyo on Sunday in the headline contest, and Haggerty said Superlek would win “if he can keep him [Takeru] at distance with his kicks”.
But while he is tipping Superlek to prevail, Haggerty said there were plenty of unknowns given the 26-year-old had been preparing to face Elias Mahmoudi at ONE Fight Night 18 earlier in January.
Instead, Superlek got the call to replace the injured Rodtang Jitmuangnon and face Takeru in Japan, and Haggerty questioned whether his former opponent had enough time to prepare for one of the best kickboxers around.
“I think it could all come down to who is well prepared,” Haggerty said. “Superlek has stepped in at short notice, I know he was meant to fight Mahmoudi but is he prepared for the style of Takeru? That’s what it will come down to.”