Muay Thai: Jonathan Haggerty on top of the world – but reckons his brother could at least match his achievements
Jonathan Haggerty produced a unanimous points win over Sam-A Gaiyanghadao for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship earlier this month – but reckons he might end up not even being the best fighter in his family.
His brother Freddie, 14, has just picked up the European title.
And the older Haggerty, the first Englishman to ever win a world title on a ONE show, is a hot property in the sport.
The Walworth man will defend his new title but admitted: “After I have done what I want to do in Thai boxing then hopefully one day I will move into MMA and the UFC, that’s always been my dream.”
Gaiyanghadao was a veteran of more than 300 fights – Haggerty was only having his 16th outing.
“I felt like I was supposed to be in there,” he said. “I felt like I was the one who had 400 fights behind me.
“He was very experienced, smart but I didn’t really feel his strength. He caught me with a few elbows but that was about it.
“I did get taken to hospital straight after the fight on a stretcher because I fractured my knuckle and my nose. My foot was a bit sore too. You feet and knees are the main injuries you get in Thai boxing.”
Freddie – a pupil at Walworth Academy – walked into the gym at the age of six and had his first competitive fight at nine.
He admits his older brother was a driving force in him taking up the sport.
“I like to compare myself against him all the time and I want to be as good as him. But my dad fought as well.
“I’ve won two British titles and a European title.
“I also won a tournament in Manchester called UKMF. It was a qualifier to go and fight for team GB in Thailand but I didn’t get picked that year, unfortunately.
“My last fight was in the school holidays, so I was able to train three times a day.
“I’ll normally run two miles a day but when I’m coming up to a really big fight it will be 12k.”
Haggerty senior said: “He could be on a par with me – if not better.
“We train together and it gives him an advantage having the same surname – because the opportunities will be there for him later on in life.”
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