From the Nose to the Net – Singtongnoi’s Inspiring Comeback
Singtongnoi Por Telakin may have fought bone‑shattering blows inside the ring, but a silent opponent rattled him outside the ropes. After a routine check‑up that turned into a cancer scare, the Thai legend is back in the spotlight at ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS on Friday, 18 May, at Singapore Indoor Stadium.
When a Minor Earache Became a Major Shock
It began as a quick trip to the doctor for an unremarkable ear complaint. The doctor, who had already seen champions from Lumpinee Stadium and the WMC, ended up telling Singtongnoi something that felt like a plot twist in an action film: “There’s a high chance you have cancer.” He stared, shook, and then stared back as evidence— a two‑centimetre tumour in his nasal cavity—came to light.
- The patient waited in a fluorescent waiting room.
- English was used for the diagnosis; translation via phone was the only way he understood it.
- Facial expression: stunned; eyefuls of tears; disbelief.
Life’s Plans Shattered in an Instant
Singtongnoi had a bright future lined up: coaching at Evolve MMA in Singapore, plans for him and his family, dreams of stepping onto the world stage.
“I thought I was going to die for sure,” he confessed. “The first thing that ran through my head was my family and my kids. If I’m gone, who will be there for them?”
ONE’s Big Pledge
Enter Chatri Sityodtong, the Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship. He promised to cover all medical bills and assured Singtongnoi that his family would be cared for no matter what.
“Chatri told me not to worry about anything and to focus entirely on fighting the cancer. He promised that if anything happened, he’d look after my kids and family.” — Singtongnoi
Deep‑Sea Conditioning: The Treatment Journey
- 36 sessions of radiation therapy.
- 7 rounds of chemotherapy.
- Weight drop of about five kilograms.
- Energy low: mainly slept.
There were moments he considered quitting, but the thought of his children’s future kept him going. He turned each hard hit into a step forward.
Victory in the Clinic and at the Ring
After his last treatment, comfortings were minimal. Then, the word fell: cancer‐free. The news was a renaissance and he vowed to savor each moment.
“I learned that life is precious and shouldn’t be taken for granted,” he said. “It’s essential to love yourself and cherish your loved ones—just don’t know when the clock’ll stop.” — Singtongnoi
Back to the ONE Super Series
Ready to punch and deliver heartbeats, Singtongnoi will face Joseph “Hurricane” Lasiri, the WBC Muay Thai Super Bantamweight World Champion, in a flyweight showdown. He imagines the fight as a chess match: one move, one vision.
“The most important thing is having a fighting spirit.” — Singtongnoi
So, as the lights go up for ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS, watch this Thai warrior not just fight, but live every round.
