Jonathan “The Basic” Haggerty definitively silenced his critics with a win to retain his kickboxing belt at ONE 171: Qatar, whereas Jake Peacock returned victorious.
5 months after shedding the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship in 49 seconds, the Londoner bounced again from the hardest defeat of his profession to retain his kickboxing belt at ONE 171: Qatar on Thursday.
Haggerty, who had little or no expertise within the sport earlier than capturing the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title in November 2023, proved he was a real grasp of the hanging arts when he outclassed No 1-ranked contender “Demon Blade” Wei Rui at Lusail Sports activities Enviornment in Qatar.
Whereas the 28-year-old Brit examined the waters with low kicks and single pictures within the opening body, Wei retaliated with kicks of his personal after which landed multi-punch mixtures.
However within the second spherical, Haggerty discovered his rhythm and took over the battle. “The Basic” was poetry in movement, as he consistently switched stances to confuse the challenger, fired off his strikes to the closest limb, after which backed away earlier than Wei may land his personal blows.
The Londoner turned up the warmth within the third, discovering a house for his proper hand, his push kick, and even his knees. Wei tried to maintain up and unleashed some physique kicks, however he could not match the velocity of the reigning titleholder.
Though the Chinese language famous person utilized extra strain and displayed a way of urgency within the championship rounds, Haggerty’s defence and distance management was spectacular. The Brit additionally continued to punish his rival with beautiful proper arms, knees, physique kicks, and push kicks all the best way as much as the ultimate bell, drawing admiration from the dwell crowd.
Ultimately, the three judges at Circleside awarded the unanimous resolution victory to Haggerty, who swept the scorecards 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46. With the victory, the Londoner retains his kickboxing belt, improves his file to 23-5, and snaps Wei’s spectacular 21-bout profitable streak.
Haggerty’s subsequent match has but to be confirmed, however he beforehand talked about desirous to get again the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship.
Peacock returns with knockout efficiency
After 10 months away, Jake “The One” Peacock lastly made his return to the ONE Championship Circle, and he didn’t disappoint.
The inspirational limb-different fighter ripped by way of Japanese Muay Thai star Shinji Suzuki, ultimately knocking him out within the waning moments of the three-round bantamweight Muay Thai affair.
After 10 months away, Jake Peacock returned to One Championship and beat Japanese Muay Thai star Shinji Suzuki
Peacock, the Highway to ONE: Canada winner, took a measured strategy within the opening stanza, as he appeared for his vary with low kicks and punches.
The motion intensified within the second body, because the British-Canadian dynamo knocked down his Asian rival with a left knee to the pinnacle.
It was all downhill from there for Suzuki.
Simply seconds into the third spherical, Peacock dropped him with a proper elbow. The Japanese athlete beat the referee’s eight-count, however a low kick moments later put him again on the canvas. Lastly, the British-Canadian striker assaulted him with a stabbing left elbow in opposition to the Circle Wall, a bevy of punches, a head kick, and yet another left hand to complete the job.
The win pushes Peacock’s file to 14-1 and offers him the twelfth knockout victory of his profession. Following the bout, he expressed his need to return to motion quickly and develop into extra energetic in 2025.
Watch Martin Bakole vs Joseph Parker and the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol rematch will likely be dwell on Saturday February 22 on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace. Ebook now!
