For Hong Kong martial artist Yu Yau-Pui, martial arts isn't about the accolades or financial rewards, but the ability to transform into someone she loves.
She admits that boxing is not an easy profession because the risk of injury is very high and every time you step into the ring you will take some damage.
But Yu wouldn't want it any other way, telling The Post in an exclusive interview: “I just enjoy being myself. There are a lot of ups and downs, but I tell myself that Muay Thai is what I love and what I love is me.” [become] When I'm playing sports.”
The full-time Muay Thai fighter, who is signed with ONE Championship, has a big bout coming up next month when she takes on Amy Pirny at ONE Fight Night 24.
The bout at Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium will be Yu's first fight since March, a big change from last year when he fought five times and won all five.
Yu signed a multi-fight contract to compete in ONE Championship events that will be broadcast live in North America on Amazon Prime. The 31-year-old didn't go into details, but it likely means she's set to earn significantly more in 2023.
Yu is proud that her fellow women have begun to follow the path she has blazed, with Phoebe Lo Zhiyi-Ching recently making her debut in the ONE Friday Fights series and Emily Chung recently debuting in the weekly event that was postponed due to injury.
“I think there will be more opportunities for Hong Kong fighters to perform on the biggest stage, and there are more Hong Kong fighters competing in Thailand, so I'm really happy about that.”
Ahead of his bout with Pirnee, Yu has been studying the form of ONE Championship star Tawanchai PK.Saenchaigym, the current ONE Featherweight Muay Thai title holder and regarded as one of the best fighters in the promotion.
“He's a southpaw and so am I, so I look at his techniques and try to work on them.”
His opponent will be returning from a three-year hiatus, but Yu is clearly not underestimating the Scottish fighter.
“I know she hasn't competed for a long time, but she definitely has the strength and experience so it shouldn't be easy.
“I know she has the knockout power. I've known her for a long time because she was a big name even before I started fighting Muay Thai, so I see this as a big challenge.”
The 31-year-old, who enjoys action-packed matches and rarely backs down, declined to offer any pre-fight predictions.
“I don't really like predictions. I want my fights to tell the story.”
