"Rodtang" clarifies the controversy about frequently playing football, insists it does not affect his form, and is determined to defeat "Takeru" on 29 April at the ONE SAMURAI fight in Japan.
19 April 2026 — Fans have expressed concern over "Rodtang Jitmuangnon," the beloved Thai boxer, who has often been seen playing football in photos shared on social media, causing worries that it might affect his physical condition and training schedule ahead of an important upcoming fight.
Recently, Rodtang spoke out about this issue, explaining that the images seen on social media do not mean he plays football every day. Those images frequently appear in feeds, but he only plays football after finishing his boxing training. He emphasized that football is a good sport that helps test his respiratory system.
"I want the fans to understand that I don’t play football all day and night. When I play with the team led by 'P’ Boy Thaprachan,' it’s mostly with seniors aged 60-70, focusing on charity and exercise. There’s no heavy contact or injury risk. P’ Boy is a kind older brother who always teaches me. Importantly, he would never allow me to play football if I hadn't completed my boxing training," Rodtang said.
Regarding his readiness for the important fight on 29 April, Rodtang revealed his physical condition is steadily improving, with professional nutritionist "Peter" closely monitoring him to manage his weight before traveling to fulfill his duties.
"Everything is going according to plan. I constantly consult with Peter about my weight, which is currently around 65 kilograms and should drop slightly before flying. Though I can’t guarantee the fight’s outcome, I promise to give my best performance for all Thai people on that day. I affirm that victory must belong to the Thai," he said.