Sitthichai on Van Roosmalen: “I have to punish him if I want to win”

Sittichai Sitsongpeenong (103-28-5, 28 KO’s) would be “ecstatic… very proud” to become the first Thai fighter to hold a GLORY world title belt. ‘The Killer Kid’ faces Robin van Roosmalen (34-6, 19 KO’s), the GLORY World Lightweight Champion, in the main event of GLORY 25 MILAN on Friday night.

He booked his spot in the fight by winning the GLORY 22 FRANCE Lightweight Contender Tournament in June, stopping former champion Davit Kiria in the semi-final and winning a decision over Josh Jauncey in the final.

Before the tournament in France, Sitthichai revealed that he didn’t think much of Kiria as a threat. That opinion was surprising, given that Kiria had proven himself to be insanely tough during his GLORY 14 fight with Andy Ristie. Even more surprising was the demolition job Sittichai subsequently did on the Georgian.

This time, Sittichai has a higher opinion of his opponent.

“I think Van Roosmalen is more durable and can take more punishment. He is stronger. I’m going to have to punish him harder than I punished Kiria if I want to win,” he said on Thursday.

“We prepared well for this at the Sitsongpeenong camp. The strategy is to use angles, my left kick and counter-punching. I am going to keep distance between me and Robin [because I have the reach advantage].”

Sittichai is a southpaw, making his left side his power side. Van Roosmalen has identified his left knee as his most dangerous weapon, though most fans see the left body kick as Sittichai’s key technique. He agrees.

“I am happy that people think that… because it’s true. It will probably be the thing which will win me this fight,” he smiles. “I would be ecstatic to win the title because no other Thais have won it before me. That would make me very proud.”

Sitthichai originally comes from the impoverished Isaan province of Thailand but is now based in Bangkok, where he lives and trains at the Sitsongpeenong facility. Like many young boys from a poor background, he entered the sport at an early age, with economics the main factor.

“His father trained him since 11 years old, he was his first trainer. He is very knowledgeable about Muay Thai, his father. After a while his father placed him with us to take him to the next level,” says a Sitsongpeenong camp representative.

“He comes from a family of five, three of them are boys. All of them were trained as fighters, but he is the only one still fighting.”

Sittichai used to prefer Muay Thai to kickboxing but says he would now choose kickboxing “because the money is better”. Initially a slow learner who lacked killer instinct because he was “too nice and didn’t want to hurt anyone”, he has turned out to be a prodigy. Among his honors are Lumpini Stadium titles, which only the best of the best in Thailand can win.

“My parents are very happy and proud. They want me to do my best,” he says.

“My father likes boxing but also the money factor was important. It has benefited the family and myself. When I first started making good money I bought a rice-harvesting machine, then a pick-up truck for my family, then land next to my parent’s house, then a house.”

GLORY 25 MILAN takes place Friday, November 6 at The PalaIper in Monza, Milan, Italy and airs live in the US on ESPN 3 at 1pm PT/4pm ET, re-airing Friday night on ESPN 2 at 22:30 PT/01:30 ET.