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Johan Ghazali wants to bounce back with a statement win after succumbing to a first promotional defeat in his last fight, and there's no bigger stage for the teenage phenom to do just that.
The 17-year-old Malaysian-American warrior gets back into the thick of the action at ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 6, squaring off against Mexican slugger Josue Cruz in a flyweight Muay Thai fixture inside the Ball Arena.
There, he hopes to get his career back on track after a rather disappointing loss to Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat at ONE 167 last month.
Zeroing on his dance partner in Denver, Colorado, Ghazali had this to say to Harimau Malaya:
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“I feel like I stand a chance to beat him, as I’ve seen almost all of his fights before this.”
Despite brimming with confidence, his defeat to Duy Nhat has taught him a lesson about being better prepared and not underestimating more experienced foes on the global stage.
Though the Mahmoudi Gym Mexico fighter has yet to pick up his first win under the ONE Championship spotlight, his 17 career wins have given the Sarawak-based fighter an idea of just how dangerous his foe is.
In the same interview, the Rentap Muaythai Gym representative pointed out:
"I know, he's much older than me, with at least 11 years of age gap. And with his age, that means he's much more experienced than me, too. But hopefully, I don't run into any problems this time around."
Johan Ghazali eyes Josue Cruz finish at ONE 168: Denver
The young phenom doesn't just want to cross the line with his hands raised, but he wants to do so in typical fashion in the Mile High City. Ghazali's sublime knockout power has seen him record four highlight-reel wins inside the ONE Championship Circle – including a smashing 36-second KO of Edgar Tabares in his American primetime debut – and he remains confident that a fifth could be on the way inside the Ball Arena.
In a separate interview with Astro Awani, Ghazali added:
"I hope I do my best. I hope, at least, like all my fights, I will get a KO. For this fight, I hope to get one in the second round."
Follow this link to purchase tickets to ONE 168: Denver.
