PETCHMORAKOT Petchyindee Academy cannot wait to exchange leather with kickboxing icon Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan at ONE: MASTERS OF DESTINY, which emanates from the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, 12 July.

The two produced a highly-entertaining affair during their ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix quarterfinal bout at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in May.

Although the Thai scored the win via split decision that night, the ONE Competition Committee reviewed the bout, changed the result to a no contest, and ordered a rematch.

That result hit him hard, but the 25-year-old is using that as fuel for his upcoming rematch. To him, this bout in Kuala Lumpur will be another chance to show the world that he can be the first man to hand Petrosyan his first defeat since 2013.

“I’ll be bringing my very best. Winning this fight would mean a lot to me,” the Petchyindee Academy representative shared.

“Win or lose, I’m fighting for dignity and the fans. People have said a lot of things about our last fight, and I want to prove them wrong.

“It really makes me want it more. I want to prove to the haters that I can do it. I want to be in this tournament, and I don’t want people insulting me.”

The Ubon Ratchathani native is aware that he cannot repeat the mistakes he made during their initial encounter, and he is ready to defend his honor with another striking exhibition against one of the sport’s greatest competitors of all time.

While Andy Souwer versus Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex at ONE: A NEW ERA was billed as the most highly-anticipated kickboxing rematch, this bout could easily become kickboxing’s biggest rematch of all time with the stakes set so high.

A semifinal spot against “Smokin'” Jo Nattawut and a shot at the US$1 million (RM4.13 million) tournament grand prize awaits the victor.

“I feel a lot more confident about the rule set now that I’ve competed – especially having already faced him. I know what he’s got, and am training even harder than last time. All I need to do is defend his punches and plan my attack,” Petchmorakot said.

“It will be hard to finish him, but I think if the opportunity poses itself, I can do it. I would be very happy if I could win again. I want to do it for the fans who were there for me, cheering me on and encouraging me – that would be amazing.”