As a two-sport ONE World Champion, Jonathan Haggerty knows the significance of his position, and he is ready for all the responsibilities that come with it.
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At ONE Fight Night 19 this Friday, February 16, “The General” will defend the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title for the first time against Brazil’s Felipe Lobo inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Jonathan Haggerty is unfazed by the challenges ahead of him
His showdown with “Demolition Man” is rooted in a fiery back-and-forth that came to a head when Haggerty claimed the vacant ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title at the expense of Lobo’s teammate, MMA king Fabricio Andrade, at ONE Fight Night 16 last November.
While the Tiger Muay Thai product will get first dibs at Haggerty, he is not the only one who wants a shot at the English striker.
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Speaking to ONE Championship, Haggerty says he has no issues with anyone calling him out, as it comes with the territory of being a two-sport titleholder.
“It’s just a bigger target now, mate. That’s all. I got the other division, the kickboxing category on my back, calling me out. I’m still the same person without the belt or with the belt. I’m still the same Jonathan Haggerty, just a bigger target on my back, and I’m here for it. I welcome them all,” he said.
Haggerty is confident of beating Felipe Lobo before their fight
Apart from Lobo, several other stars have Haggerty in their crosshairs. Among them are Andrade, who wants another opportunity at the double-champ regardless of the ruleset, and featherweight Muay Thai king Tawanchai PK Saenchai.
Pound-for-pound striking king Superlek Kiatmoo9 has also expressed his intention to shut down Haggerty.
With the number of challengers growing by the day, the Knowlesy Academy and Team Underground representative says he understands why they feel a need to call him out.
Ultimately, though, he wants to take it one fight at a time. “I’m taking it as a compliment. I can sit back, and everyone talks. Everyone has to sell a fight. Everyone wants the champion. Everyone wants me. So at the end of the day, I’m sitting on my sofa, and I’m looking at the two belts that everybody wants, so I don’t bite it,” he said.
“Like I said at the start, I take it as a massive compliment. Everyone wants to fight me. But their time will come. I’ll beat them one by one, and I’ll start with Felipe Lobo.”