Fai Phannarai defended her world title according to the WBF version in Hamburg on May 1. The super bantamweight from “Boxen im Norden” is now third in the world rankings. The 23-year-old champion spoke to BOXSPORT about her next steps to the top.
Fai, this is the fifth time you have defended a world championship title in the super bantamweight division (up to 55.3 kilos). Victorious. This time the WBF belt at the anniversary gala of “Boxen im Norden” at “Große Freiheit 36” in St. Pauli on May 1. A mandatory defense according to the WIBF version was not on the agenda for you as a double world champion on the last “Labor Day”. You had Isis Vargas Perez from Mexico (10-7-0, 3 knockouts) in front of your fists. An intense fight, a close fight that you won unanimously on points (97:93, 96:94, 98:92). How would you sum it up?
I know Latin American boxers, Mexican and Argentinian boxers. I knew what I was in for, and that’s exactly what happened. I didn’t take Vargas Perez lightly, not at all.
Your opponent mainly used her reach advantage, keeping you at a distance with the jab of her left jab. However, many of Vargas Perez’s punches landed in your stable double guard…
That’s right. And I didn’t offer her a fixed target with my special agility and countered myself, scoring hits. It was clear that my opponent was determined to take the WBF belt with her to Mexico. But I’m not giving up what’s mine. My ego won’t let me do that.
Nevertheless, you seemed very tense after the final bell in the tenth round and were obviously unsure whether you had won. During the short interview with the ring announcer, you also said, “Oh, coach, I might have messed up today.” Why?
I am always skeptical and self-critical when it comes to my own performance. Because I’m a bit afraid of taking off. But then I say to myself, ‘Listen, Fai, you’re still a long way from being the best, keep your feet on the ground! And I manage to do that.
A little flashback: Last October 3, your opponent, Australian Shannon O’Connell, canceled the fight in the “Große Freiheit” at short notice. A year without a title fight, a problem for you?
Yes, I was pretty emotionally affected by not having had a big fight for a year. At the end of February, I had a 6-round fight in Stuttgart against the very experienced Bulgarian Milena Koleva to get back into competition mode. I needed that.
It’s clear that training and sparring can’t replace a competition. Is that why you said in the run-up to the fight against Vargas Perez that you were about to make a kind of “comeback”?
Boxing at home in the “Große Freiheit” always feels a bit like a return, like a comeback. Especially now after a year without performing in front of a home crowd.
Now your victory against Vargas Perez has catapulted you from seventh to third place in the world rankings. What’s next, what fights can we look forward to ?
What comes next will be a tough road. I will always have stronger opponents in the future. Maybe there will be a fight against those who have already achieved everything in the near future. A fight against Ellie Scotney from England, a fight against Yamileth Mercado from Mexico. Maybe in England, maybe in the USA. Either way, we’ll see mega-cool fights between the best.
A strong, confident statement, Fai…
Yes, and it will show whether I’m ready for the really big title fights in terms of performance. I mean, hey, as a 23-year-old I have nothing to lose, I can only win. And I believe that I can do that. Because the boxing world expects that the little girl has no chance, she’s still too young.
And that’s exactly what motivates you?
Absolutely, that’s a huge motivation for me. If you say I can’t do it, then I’ll show you that I can!
Interview by Oliver Rast