The 22-year-old has learned difficult lessons during his ONE Championship journey, absorbing a tough defeat before rebounding with a decision victory that steadied his career trajectory. Now, Sangarthit seeks to prove his growth by combining his professional boxing pedigree with improved emotional control against an aggressive opponent tailor-made for his counter-striking style.

Don't miss ONE Friday Fights 144 on beIN SPORTS

Finding Balance After Setback

Sangarthit Looksaikongdin endured a humbling loss to Suablack Tor Pran49 at ONE Friday Fights 114 last June that forced serious self-evaluation. The defeat exposed vulnerabilities in both his preparation and mental approach, prompting changes that extended beyond technical adjustments.

The Thai veteran’s bounce-back victory over Ali "The King" Koyuncu at ONE Friday Fights 126 three months later demonstrated resilience, though the competitive nature of that decision left the Bangkok native unsatisfied with his performance.

"Even though I got the win last time, it was a real toss-up. My biggest mistake was definitely the weight cut, and in the ring, I let my emotions get the better of me," Sangarthit said."After I lost to Suablack, I realized I needed to change, so for the third fight, I tried to loosen up a bit too much. For this fight, I've found a balance — not too stressed, but not too relaxed. I'm right in the middle.”

Breaking Down TAKU

TAKU presents exactly the type of matchup Sangarthit prefers – a forward-marching aggressor willing to engage in battle. The Japanese striker's pressure-heavy approach creates opportunities for counter-strikers who can remain disciplined under fire.

Sangarthit has studied his opponent extensively, recognizing the patterns that define TAKU's attacking mentality and understanding where openings will emerge during exchanges. The challenge lies in maintaining his composure when chaos erupts.

The 22-year-old Thai thrives when opponents bring the fight directly to him, but getting drawn into reckless trading has cost him before. Friday's clash requires threading a delicate needle – embracing the brawl without abandoning the discipline that separates calculated aggression from complete recklessness.

"I've studied him, and he's the type to just walk forward and trade," Sangarthit offered. "It's going to be a fun fight because I love it when someone comes at me – we can just get in there and scrap. But I'm going to be more calculated this time. I'm not just going to trade blows blindly because he's no pushover. That said, I'm very confident in my power.”

Boxing Pedigree Provides Crucial Edge

Sangarthit's 19-0 professional boxing record provides advantages most kickboxers can't replicate. Those years spent focusing on his fists sharpened his ability to recognize patterns before they fully develop, creating split-second windows for fight-ending counters. His ring IQ allows real-time adjustments that keep opponents constantly reacting rather than imposing their game plans.

Against TAKU's aggressive style, that boxing foundation becomes particularly valuable. Sangarthit can identify gaps in his opponent's striking combinations, timing counters that exploit those vulnerabilities while TAKU commits to his attacks.

"My edge will be reading his punch patterns," Sangarthit said. "With my pro boxing experience, I can spot the holes in his striking. I should be able to find the gaps and counter, but I have to adjust on the fly. I'm sure he hasn't stayed the same as the tapes I've watched – he's developing too. My body is 100 percent. It's just the weight left to go."

WATCH beIN SPORTS XTRA LIVE FOR FREE ON YOUTUBE