“I Don’t Know Why I’m Matched Up Against Some Unknown Fighter”- Tang Kai Looking to Prove a Point Against Yoon Chang Min

Chinese featherweight sensation Tang Kai has his sights on a ranked spot in the division ahead of his co-main event encounter with “The Big Heart” Yoon Chang Min at ONE: NEXTGEN II. 

Tang believes he deserved a spot in the rankings after his knockout win over Ryogo “Kaitai” Takahashi in the first round at ONE: FISTS OF FURY II, but that came to pass. Despite that, he hopes to break through to the top five list this time with an emphatic knockout over his South Korean foe this Friday, 12 November.

“I want to knock out Yoon Chang Min and then compete against the top five athletes,” he stated.

“Maybe ONE Championship wants to give me more tests, let me KO more opponents, and then let me enter the ranking list.”

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Tang Kai feels Yoon Chang Min is a step down the ladder

Tang’s highlight-reel win against Takahashi pushed his record to a perfect 4-0 on the global stage, and he wants to maintain that hot run of form inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium to keep him on track towards his ambition. 

His goal of breaking into the top five, coupled with the lack of recognition after his last win, has led Tang to feel that taking on “The Big Heart” is a step down the ladder.

“I thought I should be matched up with a top-five fighter to compete against. I don’t know why I’m matched up against some unknown fighter,” the Shaoyang native added.

In Tang’s eyes, the South Korean star is nothing but muscle-bound and slow.

“In my opinion, [Yoon] is just big and muscular, a bit like a bodybuilder. I think his [punches] must be very slow, but his strength is greater than mine. I will beat him with my agility, boxing, and speed,” he said.

“His speed is certainly not as fast as mine. My speed is the fastest in this division, so I am very confident I will KO him.”

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Kai aims for a knockout at ONE: NEXTGEN II

Knocking out Yoon could prove to be a tough test. However, for an athlete who has already acquired 10 knockouts from 12 career wins, Tang has every right to be confident.

Besides, Yoon’s only career defeat came against Takahashi via knockout, the very same athlete Tang sent crashing to the canvas with his mallet-like right hand. He vows to punish Yoon similarly this Friday – and remind the ranked athletes of his presence in the featherweight division. 

“I want to open their eyes and show them how I get into the top five,” he warned. “I want to KO Yoon in the second round.”

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