“Killer Bee” Kai Ting Chuang (17-5) is ready to make the first defense of her ONE Kickboxing Atomweight World Championship.
On Saturday, 6 October, the Chinese striker will put the gold on the line against promotional newcomer, Stamp Fairtex (60-15-5), in the co-main event of ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES. The blockbuster spectacle takes place at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
In July, she claimed the coveted belt at ONE: BATTLE FOR THE HEAVENS in Guangzhou, China.
The 23-year-old clashed with multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion Yodcherry Sityodtong for the inaugural title in the night’s main event, and she put on a show.
She pressed forward aggressively, dictated the pace, and landed solid punching combinations to keep the Muay Thai prodigy on the back foot. After five rounds of action, Chuang earned a unanimous decision win to become the first-ever ONE Kickboxing Atomweight World Champion.
“It’s a huge honor, but it also means a huge responsibility,” she says.
“I can do better, and I feel like I can still make a lot of progress. I am looking forward to the next challenge and defending my golden belt.”
That next challenge arrives at ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES.
When she goes up against Stamp, she will once again take on a vastly-experienced Muay Thai stylist. However, just as she did against Yodcherry, the Iron Boxing representative will prove that the numbers are irrelevant once the two combatants are face-to-face in the ring.
“I think she has more experience than me, but that doesn’t really matter,” she states. “To me, skills and confidence are what controls the fight.”
Stamp, a two-division Northeastern Thailand Champion, has garnered a world-class reputation in her 80-bout career.
The Thai atomweight was one of the stars of the acclaimed Buffalo Girls documentary, which highlighted her rise up the sport’s ranks during her childhood, and she has continued to excel ever since.
When she reached the age of 18, she moved to Pattaya to train at the Fairtex Training Center alongside the likes of Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex and Saemapetch Fairtex to become the best competitor possible.
Chuang recognizes the threat her 20-year-old rival will bring to the ring in Bangkok, but that has only motivated her even more to combat it.
“I have been watching her videos,” she begins.
“I’m aware that she’s good with high kicks. Therefore, I included high-knee skills and defensive moves in my training. I am a ‘speed’ type of fighter, but this time, I worked to improve my physical power and strength, as well.”
While “Killer Bee” is keeping the rest of her game plan under wraps, she has already displayed her ability to break down an opponent, no matter who she may be.
Her ONE debut was a dominant performance over an adversary that, on paper, had all the tools to succeed.
Chuang took those away, and she plans to do the same in her first title defense in Thailand, where fans at the Impact Arena will undoubtedly cheer for the local hero, Stamp.
“There will be many Thais in the audience, but I’m pretty sure I can’t understand anything they will be saying, so I will take it as them cheering for me,” she jokes.
“I want to give a wonderful fight, and add surprises every time, so that people remember me.”
Bangkok | 6 October | LIVE and FREE on the ONE Super App: http://bit.ly/ONESuperApp | TV: Check local listings for global broadcast | Tickets: http://bit.ly/oneheroes18
About Author
More News
Quiñonero fights Verdadero in Resbak 2
Resbak 2 at Malungon, Sarangani Province on July 12
Garde stops Baliente in 1st round in “Resbak”