Publication date: December 14, 2023 08:45
Ratchamongkol Maetongbai Recycle celebrates victory.
Ratchamongkol Maetongbai Recycle, a teenage sensation, is not only fighting for a ONE Championship contract on Friday.
The 16-year-old striker has his family in mind as he takes on Thai compatriot Jaoingsy PK Saengchai in a 118-pound catchweight bout at ONE Lumphini 45.
Prior to stepping into the ring at Bangkok’s Lumpini Boxing Stadium, let’s delve into Ratchamongkol’s compelling story and understand why this fight holds such significance for him.
Humble Beginnings
Ratchamongkol’s journey, like that of many Muay Thai stars, began in humble surroundings.
Coming from Nakhon Ratchasima province, his family faced financial struggles. His father, a market peddler, found it hard to make ends meet for him.
After his parents separated when he was young, Ratchamongkol lived with his father and embarked on Muay Thai training at the age of five.
Due to financial constraints, talented young fighters often live and train at gyms to alleviate the burden on their families. He quickly showcased his potential on the local circuit, amassing an impressive record of 42 wins and 10 losses.
Showcased at ONE
Despite his young age, Ratchamongkol’s advanced skill set caught the attention of ONE Championship in 2023.
Debuting at ONE Lumpinee 27 in August, he displayed his prowess by outclassing the 11-year-older and more experienced Petunumkum Pundakrataburi with devastating kicks and an aggressive clinch game over three impressive rounds.
Following a promising start to his ONE journey, Ratchamongkol’s career has taken on added significance in recent months.
Fight for Family
In the past, talented teenagers had to gain experience on the stadium circuit for much longer. However, Muay Thai provided a new platform to ONE Championship, enabling fighters to commence their professional career at an earlier age.
This presents them with the opportunity to truly transform the lives of their families, which holds particular importance for Ratchamongkol.
Earlier this year, his father was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, resulting in a broken leg. He has been recovering at home but is still unable to lead a normal life.
The young fighter lives with his father and cares for him every day. However, when a fight is on the horizon, he must leave him alone to attend training.
His hope is to earn enough money to provide the necessary care for his father while he is away.
At ONE Lumphini 45, Ratchamongkol has the opportunity to achieve just that.
When the Muay Thai prodigy takes on Jiao Yinshi on Friday, he anticipates an early morning start with the potential to earn an additional 350,000 baht in performance bonuses.
