As the Braveheart theme echoed around Lumpinee Stadium on Saturday morning (Feb 14), it was preceded by a familiar roar – “King of the North” – lifted straight from Game of Thrones and now inseparable from the Scot’s rise.
This time, he left Bangkok with a crown to match it, reports the Bangkok Post.
Carrillo edged Shadow Singha Mawynn by majority decision to claim the ONE Championship interim featherweight Muay Thai world title in a brutal, high-level co-main event at ONE Fight Night 40 – completing a journey that began in heartbreak just over a year ago.
“Hard work pays off,” Carrillo said backstage, his lip split and face marked from battle. “All the pain in the world you put yourself through to get this belt – it’s worth it. And I feel that today.”
Shadow started fast, and two judges awarded him the opening three rounds. A third, Ricky Sewell, scored the first round even. Carrillo, unusually measured, admitted he was lagging.
“I felt I was behind on the scorecards but I wasn’t stressed about it,” he said. “Probably a different approach than you’re all used to seeing from us.”
The momentum swung decisively in the fourth.
Carrillo dropped Shadow with a heavy right hand, earning 10-8 scores across all three cards. With his jaw later revealed to be broken, the Thai contender wilted under sustained pressure in the fifth as Carrillo closed strongly.
Two judges, Shane Byrne and Ian Cartwright, scored the bout 47-47 but awarded Carrillo the victory on overall criteria due to the knockdown. Sewell had it 48-47 for the Scot.
“I know three, four and five were me,” Carrillo said. “There was no way he was finishing me in the fifth. He was scared of the power by then.”
There was no animosity between them. Carrillo revealed Shadow once asked him for photos before either had reached this stage.
“I believe the way me and Shadow are should be an example,” he said. “There’s no need for bad blood.”
For Carrillo, the title represents vindication.
In January 2025, he was stopped in the first round by Nabil Anane while chasing interim bantamweight gold, the brutal weight cut leaving him drained. The lesson was clear: the division was no longer viable.
Three fights at featherweight later, he looks physically stronger and mentally settled – and now holds gold.
Undisputed status may have to wait. Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai is recovering from surgery on a broken leg sustained in December. Carrillo had previously suggested the Thai should be stripped if inactive, but softened his tone after victory.
“Speedy recovery to Tawanchai,” he said. “I’ll just enjoy this win. I want to go back and cuddle my wife, my coaches and teammates.”
Talk of interim defences or a potential tilt at Superbon’s featherweight kickboxing belt will inevitably follow. Carrillo, for once, is not rushing.
“I’d like another two fights this year,” he said. “But first I want to recover. The last camp kind of merged into this one.”
For now, the King of the North will rest. After all, the crown is finally his.