Johan Ghazali contemplates career in acting, cinema: “Maybe when I’ve slowed down the fighting”

Teenage phenom Johan Ghazali has been noticed not only for his topnotch Muay Thai skills but also for his good looks. This has left many wondering if he could venture into acting and/or modeling.

The 17-year-old addressed the subject in an interview with the South China Morning Post, reiterating that he is open to it at some point in the future, but is more focused on his burgeoning fighting career right now.

Johan Ghazali said:

"Muay Thai has been a gateway for me to do a lot of stuff. Acting? Maybe in the future, but acting is hard. It takes time. Maybe when I've slowed down the fighting, maybe I'll start acting. In the meantime, after a fight, I do a few brand endorsements, or I wouldn't say modeling, I just promote stuff. Muay Thai has been a gateway for me to do some good stuff."

Watch the interview below:

Currently, Johan Ghazali is preparing to make his United States debut at ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 6. 'Jojo' is featured in a flyweight Muay Thai clash against Josue 'Tuzo' Cruz of Mexico in the event happening at the Ball Arena, home of the NBA's Denver Nuggets.

The Malaysian-American fighter will try to bounce back at ONE 168 after suffering his first defeat in ONE Championship in his last match in June.

ONE 168: Denver will air live and for free at U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription. Tickets for the event are available for purchase on Ticketmaster.

Johan Ghazali vows to bring his explosive Muay Thai in 'homecoming' in Denver

Johan Ghazali vows to make a huge impression with his explosive game at ONE 168: Denver on Sept.6, which he considers as a homecoming of sorts.

He said so in an interview with Borneo Post Online earlier this month. In the interview, he also highlighted the fact that his mother hails from Colorado, which is added motivation for the young star.

'Jojo' said:

"This is my first time fighting in the U.S. but I have been to Colorado a few times where my mother, Jennana Lynn Thompson, comes from and it will be a sort of homecoming for me and I want to do well here."

Malaysian-American fighter Ghazali will be making his seventh appearance in ONE Championship since making his promotional debut in Feb. last year. He strung up five straight victories before losing in his last match in June to veteran Vietnamese fighter Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat. Meanwhile, his opponent, Cruz, is looking to notch a breakthrough victory at ONE 168 after losing his first two matches in ONE.