Exza Wankhongohm Aiming For Debut Bonus To Clear His Parents’ Debts
Some fighters chase belts. Exza Wankhongohm is chasing something closer to home: the chance to wipe out what his parents still owe.
The 23-year-old Thai makes his ONE Championship debut against Spanish knockout artist Xavier Gonzalez in flyweight Muay Thai at The Inner Circle 36 on Friday, October 30. The card streams live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, exclusively for members at live.onefc.com.
Exza built a 60-15 record on Thailand’s demanding regional circuit before this opportunity arrived. It will also be his first time competing over three rounds in 4-ounce gloves.
His path into the sport began with a family connection. He followed his older brother into Muay Thai as a child, and kept going long after his sibling stepped away.
“I started fighting when I was 12 years old, following in the footsteps of my older brother who was a Muay Thai fighter. Eventually, my brother stopped fighting, but I kept pushing forward,” Exza said.
“Now, there’s no turning back for me. I’ve built a reputation in the Muay Thai scene, and more importantly, fighting allows me to provide for my entire family.”
Gonzalez will not make the debut easy. The Spaniard owns seven ONE wins, four by knockout, and flattened Payaksurin JP Power and Chatanan Apichat Muaythai before dropping a narrow split decision to Thway Lin Htet.
The Wankhongohm MBK representative respects that power but has no plans to stand in front of it. He intends to use footwork, angles, and his trademark low kicks to stay out of the Spaniard’s danger zone.
A statement win could open the door to a six-figure contract. For now, though, the reward Exza wants most is far more immediate, and far more personal.
“My main goal is to secure that performance bonus. My parents still have some remaining debts, and winning that bonus would allow me to clear everything off for them completely,” he said.
“I know earning a bonus is a tough challenge, but that is my ultimate objective. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity in ONE Championship. It’s something I never imagined would happen.”
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