“I’m Coming For The 50 Bags” – Jacob Smith Out To Make Up For Lost Time At ONE Fight Night 17

At the beginning of 2023, flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith was excited to put in a good year of action in ONE Championship. But that, unfortunately, didn’t pan out for him.

Smith has been on the sidelines due to a litany of injuries over the past year, meaning he hasn’t been able to make a second appearance in ONE following his promotional debut against ONE Flyweight Muay Thai Rodtang Jitmuangnon in May 2022.

But with his return against #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Walter Goncalves at ONE Fight Night 17: Kryklia vs. Roberts this Saturday, 9th December, the Scouser striker believes there’s still time to salvage his campaign.

“I’ve just been injured, one thing after another, and I haven’t been able to fight. Obviously, Thai boxing’s my life, so even though I haven’t been able to fight, I’ve got my own gym, so I’ve been putting more hours into my own gym,” Smith said. 

“The way I am, no matter what, I’ve got to stay active, I’ve got to train. Whether or not I’m able to compete in Thai boxing and train solely Thai boxing, I was still kicking every single day when I couldn’t punch, so I’ve been training still.”

Goncalves has become a stalwart member of the flyweight Muay Thai division. The Brazilian has already battled divisional king Rodtang and ONE flyweight kickboxing king Superlek Kiatmoo9, so Smith is approaching the contest as if it’s the biggest fight of his life. 

A victory over Goncalves could propel the British star up the ladder to stardom. And given how he rates his chances, Smith is settling for nothing less than a bonus-winning barnburner inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.

“I’m training like I’m training for anybody else. Like I was training for Rodtang like I would be training if I was to fight Superlek. Like I’d be training to fight anybody. And I’m going to carry on training like that because, at the end of the day, it’s a career-turning fight for me,” Jacob Smith said.

“I think I’m physically stronger. I’m probably the bigger man. Obviously, I’m a little bit taller, but I’m probably the bigger man in general. I probably walk around heavier than him. I punch and kick harder than him. It’s about not getting drawn into his game, fighting on my terms.  

“I respect him 100%, but I’m coming for that 50 bags, mate.”