“They’re the ones pushing me” - Josue Cruz praises his family and team for getting him ready to fight at ONE 168

Mexican Muay Thai figher Josue Cruz is out to get a breakthrough ONE Championship victory when he returns to action next month in the United States. He is banking on the support of his family and his team to see his goal through.

'Tuzo' will be competing at ONE 168 in Denver, Colorado, on Sept. 6 against teenage phenom Johan Ghazali in a flyweight Muay Thai showdown. It will be his third fight under the promotion since making his debut in May 2022.

In an interview with ONE Championship ahead of his scheduled return to action, Josue Cruz shared that he remains undeterred in his ONE journey despite opening it with back-to-back losses. He is out to turn things around at ONE 168, where he has been getting a lot of help from his family and team.

The 28-year-old Mahmoudi Gym Mexico representative said:

"I have to give credit to my family, my wife, and my team because they're the ones that have helped me stay focused and continue working towards my goals with high expectations. They're the ones pushing me to do better for my upcoming fight and that's what keeps me going every day."

Josue Cruz was last in action back in May against American Sean Climaco at ONE Fight Night 22 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. He, however, absorbed his second defeat in the promotion by way of knockout in the opening round.

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

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Johan Ghazali not underestimating Josue Cruz at ONE 168

Josue Cruz may be having his struggles in ONE Championship to date but his upcoming opponent Johan Ghazali knows too well not to underestimate what he is capable of in their scheduled flyweight Muay Thai clash at ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 6.

The 17-year-old Malaysian-American fighter shared this in an interview with the South China Morning Post, highlighting that Cruz is not new to the fight game and has the necessary tools to compete notwithstanding the losses he has absorbed of his late.

Ghazali said:

"I hope so [to get a knockout]. That's the plan. 50 G's, that's the plan. The truth is, he's a decade older than me. I'm sure he has more experience than me. To underestimate him would be wrong. I don't underestimate anyone."

Both Ghazali and Cruz are coming off losses heading into ONE 168: Denver and highly determined to bounce back in front of the American audience.