Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang believes that interest is finally picking up in the world of Muay Thai and kickboxing in the Philippines, and the upcoming ONE Friday Fights 81 set this September 27 inside Lumpinee Stadium will only push that interest further.
Fans of the striking arts are certainly up for a treat when kickboxing great Superbon returns to his roots to battle “Smokin” Jo Nattawut in a Muay Thai bout. In addition, Japanese megastar Takeru Segawa looks to get his first win in the promotion when he tackles Thant Zin in a flyweight kickboxing fixture.
Thai legends Nong-O Hama and Sam-A Gaiyanghadao are also set for a comeback alongside some of the best strikers in the world in Bangkok, Thailand.
READ: Bali-bound Lito Adiwang out to make most of career resurgence
“I think the upcoming ONE Friday Fights 81 is the perfect opportunity to get more fans and introduce [Muay Thai and kickboxing] to the more casual fan base. Actually, I can see the big change now when it comes to our combat athletes. Now, they have choices. Not just MMA, not just boxing,” Adiwang said.
“Pinoys love to strike, and right now, ONE is giving [them] the platform to be stars in their own right [in] Muay Thai and kickboxing. This is their opportunity. They can focus on kickboxing or Muay Thai. It’s a very good opportunity for our upcoming fighters.”
The 30-year-old has always been an avid fan of Muay Thai and kickboxing despite the country being generally a boxing country, and he believes the country is capable of producing Muay Thai greats in the same way that it has given fans the like of Rey Biagtan and Brent Velasco – two strikers who won World Titles in Muay Thai back in the 90s.
Despite their accolades, the two always seem to have taken a backseat to boxing stars, and the MMA big names who followed after like former ONE World Champions, Eduard Folayang and Kevin Belingon.
Adiwang cites the lack of active local competitions, which failed to bring the sport to the masses, as one of the main reasons why the sport didn’t really pick up.
“One reason I think is the lack of local competitions for us,” he said.
“People just recognize our Muay Thai fighters and kickboxers if they compete internationally, and back then, it was difficult to get opportunities to compete outside the country unless you had a good connection or manager.”
That was, until now, and Adiwang believes this upcoming show will be the perfect opportunity to lure new fans in.
“I can say local fans are more appreciative now [of] the sport,” he said. “Especially those who love to watch pure striking. This is going to be a very good show for them.”
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