Thai fighter Superbon gestures with the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship belt after defeating Giorgio Petrosyan on Oct. 15, 2021.
T
he United States’ Janet “JT” Todd and Thailand’s Superbon have been named 2021’s ONE Super Series Strikers of the Year in their respective categories.
Todd was named the year’s female striker following two dominant displays this year, while the Thai kickboxer was earned the same accolade for male fighters following the massive upset he pulled off in October when he defeated Italy’s legendary striker Giorgio Petrosyan.
After claiming the ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title in 2020, “JT” turned her attention to Muay Thai this year and scooped up two dominant victories.
Those wins gave the American superstar a stellar six-fight winning streak across the two striking sports to earn her the Female ONE Super Series Striker of the Year.
Janet Todd wears the United States flag draped around her shoulders as she enters ONE Circle
Todd, who is now the No. 1 atomweight Muay Thai contender, started 2021 in top form against No. 4 contender and former World Title challenger Alma Juniku.
The two women met at ONE: Fists of Fury III on March 19 in Singapore, and the three-round thriller dazzled all those watching. From the outset, Todd stunned Juniku with jabs and right punches that she continued to utilize deep into the second round.
Juniku mustered up some offense in the final frame, but the American bit down on her mouthpiece and reasserted her control of the fight. Determined to convert her dominance into a win, Todd hammered the Australian with a series of straight rights to seal the unanimous decision.
At the time, Petrosyan had established himself as a ONE Super Series mainstay by defeating seven elite strikers in under three years. Those opponents included future ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy and a trio of fellow contenders en route to winning the 2019 ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix.
In contrast, 31-year-old Superbon had fought just once in the ONE promotion, scoring a decision win over Sitthichai “Killer Kid” Sitsongpeenong. And although he’d defeated some big names throughout his career, his winning streak only stretched back three years.
Because of this, fans thought Petrosyan would have another easy night, but Superbon had a different idea.
In fact, the Thai always believed in his heart that he could beat the man who many considered the kickboxing Greatest of All Time. He even claimed that Petrosyan had been ducking him in the lead-up to their main event showdown.
And when the two athletes entered the ONE Circle in Singapore, fans were blessed with the matchup they had spent years praying for. The outcome, however, was unimaginable until it happened.
Only 20 seconds into round two of their World Title tilt, Petrosyan threw his trademark left hand but couldn’t bring it back in time.
Meanwhile, Superbon had already let go of a powerful right high kick that landed flush on the icon’s exposed chin.
“The Doctor” came crashing down as if Superbon had taken an axe to a tree, and it was lights out.
Referee Olivier Coste immediately waved off the fight as Superbon ran around the perimeter of the Circle, pumping his fist in celebration of his earth-shattering achievement.
It was a pivotal moment in history, not just for Superbon but for the entire sport of kickboxing. The Thai had instantly catapulted his name to a place where only a few other strikers have occupied, while also proving that a living legend was beatable.
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This article is published in collaboration with ONE Championship.