Jonathan Di Bella honored to lead the line for aspiring Canadian fighters: “Hopefully they can become future champions”

Jonathan Di Bella is proud to be a source of inspiration for aspiring Canadian fighters.

Returning to the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on Friday, June 28, Di Bella will look to reclaim the crown he never lost when he meets current ONE strawweight Muay Thai titleholder Prajanchai for the vacant ONE strawweight kickboxing crown at ONE Friday Fights 68.

Speaking with Calf Kick Sports ahead of his highly anticipated return to the Mecca of Muay Thai in Bangkok, Di Bella spoke about leading the charge for the next generation of Canadian combat sports stars who hope to one day represent the country on martial arts' biggest global stage.

"I see that they're [the next generation of fighters] are watching us and that's the goal to make them do the sport more and grow the sport and hopefully they can become future champions from our country," Di Bella said.

"Right now, I'm honored to be one of the only ones, like me and Denis for example, who are leading them to the next level, you know."

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Can Jonathan Di Bella snap the four-fight win streak of Prajanchai?

Originally, Jonathan Di Bella was scheduled to defend the ONE strawweight kickboxing world championship against Prajanchai at ONE Friday Fights 58 in April. Unfortunately, the Canadian-Italian failed his hydration test, forcing him to bow out of the bout and surrender his 26 pounds of gold.

Di Bella will get the chance to reclaim the belt in Thailand, but that will be no easy task as he takes on a man who has two-sport glory on his mind.

Prajanchai's last appearance inside the Circle came at ONE Friday Fights 46 in December when he secured an 88-second knockout of Joseph Lasiri to take back the ONE strawweight Muay Thai world title. He is currently sitting on a four-fight win streak—all in 2023— including victories against Kompet Fairtex, Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, Akram Hamidi, and of course, Joseph Lasiri.

Will Prajanchai join the elite list of two-sport titleholders on June 28, or will Di Bella pick up right where he left off and bring his title back home to Canada?

ONE Championship will present ONE Friday Fights 68 live from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.