Denver, CO — Altitude doesn’t seem to matter, until you’re winded and struggling to catch your breath. That’s what ONE 168 headliner Jonathan Haggerty learned after arriving in Denver four weeks ago, ahead of his bantamweight Muay Thai title fight with Superlek Kiatmoo9.
“I didn’t think it was a thing really, I thought everyone was talking about it,” admitted Haggerty, speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press this week. “I went running the first night I got here, I’ve been here for four weeks. But the first day I got here, I went running, it was alright. Then the next afternoon I was hitting the pads, and it was just literally, I went white in the face, couldn’t find my legs. I was like yeah, I need to adjust to this.”
“That’s why I’m grateful I’ve been here for four weeks. So yeah, we’re ready.”
Opponent Superlek did not come to town nearly as early as Haggerty, and has been known for gassing in fights at times. Will that play a factor? “You said it yourself, he does gas out. So imagine what it will be like against me at this altitude,” responded Haggerty. “But as long as I’m ready, 100%, that’s what I’m worried and I’m focused on. I’m sure he’s not underestimating me, I’m sure he’s been training. He says he’s been training with scientists, we’ll have to see how far that scientist gets him.”
Watch the full ONE 168 media scrum with Jonathan Haggerty above.
