‘Supergirl’ Stock on the Rise in One Championship

Momentum has begun to build behind Anna Jaroonsak.

The 19-year-old muay thai stylist made the best of a difficult situation in her latest One Championship assignment, as she laid claim to a unanimous decision over Lara Fernandez—a short-notice substitution for Cristina Morales—in their three-round ONE on Prime Video 13 catchweight clash on Aug. 4 at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangok, Thailand. It was contested at 118 pounds, down from Jaroonsak’s more familiar haunts at strawweight.

“I’m excited about it,” she said, “because it was a fight I had to win.”

The victory showcased Jaroonsak’s ability to bounce back from adversity, as it followed her contentious split decision defeat to Nong Stamp in January. Does “Supergirl” desire a rematch with the burgeoning Fairtex Gym superstar?

“I don’t think so,” Jaroonsak said, “because I really respect her.”

Talk has turned to potential title bouts against ONE atomweight kickboxing champion Janet Todd, ONE strawweight muay thai champion Smilla Sundell and ONE atomweight muay thai champion Allycia Rodrigues. While some may feel such discussions represent a case of too much too soon due to Jaroonsak’s youth and relative inexperience, she respectfully disagrees.

“I don’t think my age is a problem” she said. “I’m so confident in my technique, my power and my ability to perform.”

For now, Jaroonsak can sit back and let other pieces fall into place. Sundell, 18, will defend her title at ONE on Prime Video 14, where she awaits Jackie Buntan in a featured attraction on Sept. 29 at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. “Supergirl” figures to be an interested bystander. “I think Smilla’s going to win,” Jaroonsak said. “The last time I saw her, she was really big—like taller than me.” On the undercard, older sister Nat Jaroonsak takes on current ONE women’s strawweight champion Jingnan Xiong in a non-title special rules contest. “I think Xiong is a very good boxer, but I’m going to predict that my sister is going to win. I believe she can do it.”