It has been a marquee year for Giorgio Petrosyan. He is coming off three straight wins that secured him the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing Grand Prix title and $1 million USD in prize money.
At the age of 34 and with a career high payday in the bank it would be understandable if Petrosyan had contemplated retirement.
But the Italy-based Armenian has no intention of walking away from the sport. In fact, he has big plans for 2020,
“I am already focusing on my next challenges. The main goal is to remain the best in my division (and) I have no problem fighting whoever wants to challenge me. I am ready for every opponent,” he said.
Yodsaenklai Fairtex has seen his stock fall after back to back defeats on the ONE Super Series. But Chatri Sityodtong has been vocal about wanting to sign Buakaw Banchamek and match him with Petrosyan.
Petrosyan doesn’t know exactly what 2020 will have in store but he is very happy with his year’s work,
“At the beginning of the year I set the goal to win the most important tournament in the world, and I did it. All the fights have been really tough and challenging but in the end (winning was) an indescribable feeling.”
Impressive longevity
Petrosyan won the K-1 Max tournament in 2009. His longevity is impressive, particularly in a sport where many fighters fade once they pass the age of 30.
But he feels there is still room to improve as a fighter,
“There is always space to grow and get better. I do not want to set limits on my talent. I will try to learn as much as I can, experiment in the gym, and adapt to my body.”
Petrosyan is hoping he will eventually get the chance to fight for ONE Championship in his adopted home of Italy. That is high on his wish list for the new year,
“Of course Italy would be my dream. In terms of live experience and the level of the athletes ONE represents the best in class and Italian fans are going to love it,” he said.
Another belt
Petrosyan won’t have to wait long to fight in Italy. He will be challenging for an ISKA title on February 1st on a fight card put on in Milan by his own promotional team.
Despite having already won titles and tournaments with K-1, ONE Championship, Glory and Bellator the 34 year old seems hungry to add to his collection. He barely rested after winning the $1mn USD let alone contemplated retirement.
A shot at the ONE Championship kickboxing featherweight title will surely follow the Grand Prix and Petrosyan is understandably excited to see what 2020 brings,
“It will be an exciting year full of new challenges. I am ready and I cannot wait for the start of the fighting season.”
