has officially arrived on the global stage.
The #3-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender will soon face in a crucial divisional clash on July 11 in U.S. primetime at .
The event takes place at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and for the 25-year-old Thai striker, it represents the biggest opportunity of his career thus far.
After earning a coveted six-figure contract and a spot on ONE¡¯s main roster earlier this year, the Singha Mawynn Gym representative is eager to prove he belongs in the World Title picture.
Before he throws down with the hard-hitting Rabah next week, Shadow outlined his incredible journey to the pinnacle of Muay Thai.
From Poverty To Purpose
Growing up in Thailand¡¯s Tak province wasn¡¯t easy for Shadow.
Raised by a single mother in difficult circumstances, the future Muay Thai star learned the value of hard work from an early age.
He told :
¡°I grew up with my mother and aunt. Our family was not well-off, and I was never spoiled by anyone. It was as if I was trained to be self-reliant from a young age. However, my mother always gave me love.¡±
The Thai¡¯s childhood was marked by financial hardship that would shape his character.
While his mother worked tirelessly to support the family, taking on any job available to make ends meet, those early experiences taught Shadow the importance of perseverance and responsibility:
¡°My childhood in Tak was quite difficult. My mother did everything to earn income, whether it was foraging in the forest or working on a construction site.
¡°She was willing to do anything to support our family, to the point where I felt I didn¡¯t even dare to dream because of our constrained social and economic circumstances, so much so that we couldn¡¯t even afford a 15-baht (US$0.50) sachet of cream for dry skin in winter.¡±
The Beginning Of A Journey
At 12 years old, Shadow¡¯s life took a dramatic turn when he was introduced to Muay Thai. What started as a chance encounter would eventually become his pathway out of poverty.
He recalled:
¡°I started Muay Thai when I was 12 years old. There was an elder in our village, whose wife used to be a female fighter. He invited me to train at his gym, but I didn¡¯t tell my mother. Initially, I didn¡¯t intend to go, but my cousin who grew up with me was already in there, so I followed along.¡±
The training conditions were far from ideal. With only basic equipment and outdoor areas, Shadow had to develop his skills through sheer determination.
However, like countless other aspiring young Thais, seeing legendary fighter Buakaw on television provided the inspiration he needed to pursue Muay Thai seriously.
¡°The initial training was very difficult because there were only two boxers in the camp. There was just a punching sandbag, and we had to train on dirt and grass.
¡°However, the turning point that made me truly fall in love with Muay Thai was when I watched Buakaw. I admired his abilities and how he could take care of his family. So, I wanted to be as good as him and hoped that one day I could earn money from fighting to provide my family with a comfortable life.¡±
Overcoming Adversity
Shadow¡¯s journey wasn¡¯t without its challenges. Despite his natural talent and dedication, he faced setbacks that tested his resolve.
He spent his teenage years building his name on the regional circuit, competing whenever he could to provide for his family.
The weight of those financial pressures nearly derailed his fighting career, as he was forced to briefly step away from the sport to find other work when opportunities were few and far between.
Ultimately, his unending drive to succeed kept him going:
¡°I had a typical teenage life and almost went astray at times, but the responsibility of being the family¡¯s breadwinner prevented me from doing so. I always have to prioritize taking care of my family.
¡°During my time away from fighting, I never felt discouraged because I¡¯ve been working since I was a child and have tried almost every type of labor role.¡±
When Shadow finally made it to Bangkok¡¯s elite stadiums, he faced another challenge ¨C the massive talent gap between regional and national-level competition.
Critics doubted his abilities, but their skepticism only fueled his desire to prove them wrong:
¡°The biggest challenge in fighting in Bangkok was facing much more skilled opponents. It felt like skipping three to four levels at a time, as my fighting experience wasn¡¯t as strong as others.
¡°It wasn¡¯t until 2022 that I won the World Title match at Rajadamnern Stadium, which was my first title ever, and I¡¯m so proud of it.
¡°I had been underestimated, with people saying, ¡®A stupid fighter like this won¡¯t be good,¡¯ even though I had been the main event in many fights in the north.¡±
Dreams On The Global Stage
Shadow¡¯s breakthrough moment in ONE came at , where, after racking up four straight wins in the organization, he secured his ONE Championship contract with a stunning knockout victory over .
The achievement opened doors he never thought possible:
¡°That night at ONE Friday Fights 100 when I got the contract, I was incredibly stunned and deeply moved. I won by knockout and received a bonus, which was something I hadn¡¯t expected at all.
¡°Even more incredible was receiving a contract from ONE Championship! It was beyond the dreams of a country kid who used to fight in the provinces, thinking that just being a main event fighter in the regional circuit would make me incredibly happy.¡±
Now ranked #3 in the featherweight Muay Thai division, Shadow has his sights set on the ultimate prize.
Given his current status, he is determined to continue his meteoric rise and earn a coveted crack at 26 pounds of ONE Championship gold:
¡°As I am currently #3 ranked, I believe a World Title shot isn¡¯t too far from my reach. However, it ultimately depends on my performance. If I can deliver impressive performances in two or three more fights, I¡¯m confident I¡¯ll get that shot.
¡°Fans, for my first appearance with a contract, I will perform to the absolute best of my ability, and I hope to bring a victory back for everyone. I ask all my fans to please continue to support me.¡±
