KUCHING: National Muay Thai champion and One Championship star, Jojo Ghazali, is gearing up for an electrifying showdown as he prepares to face off against the formidable five-time WMF Muay Thai world champion, Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat, from Vietnam.
The highly anticipated bout is scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Thailand tomorrow (June 7).
In a recent ONE Championship media day, Jojo, whose real name is Muhamad Johan Ghazali Zulfikar, turned heads as he donned the traditional Malay attire, ‘baju Melayu,’ showcasing both his fighting prowess and cultural pride.
The Sarawakian fighter, representing Rentap Muay Thai Gym, exudes confidence as he enters the ring after a hiatus, ready to make his mark once again in the One Championship arena.
With a performance bonus of up to USD50,000 on the line for the victor, Jojo is determined to showcase his skills and seize the opportunity to etch his name in the annals of Muay Thai history.
The upcoming bout marks his comeback to the ring since his last fight in December last year, where he swiftly knocked out WBC champion Edgar Tabares from Mexico within a mere 36 seconds.
After his December match, Jojo took a hiatus to prioritise his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
Now, as he gears up for his return to the ring, he acknowledged that his upcoming bout in ONE Championship will be his most challenging yet, given his opponent’s extensive experience.
Despite being half his opponent’s age, he remains undeterred.
In an exclusive interview with ONE Championship news portal onefc.com, Jojo emphasised his respect for his opponent, Duy Nhat, highlighting the latter’s versatility and particularly dangerous head kicks.
However, he assured fans that he is prepared for whatever comes his way.
“I’ve seen him throw a few head kicks, and they can get dangerous. But I’ve prepared for it. I’m ready for it. So we should have an answer for whatever he throws. We’re ready,” he affirmed.
Jojo also expressed optimism that his youth will give him an edge in the fight, citing his faster recovery and strength.
While he anticipates a tough start against the seasoned Duy Nhat, he expressed confident that he can capitalise on his opponent’s fatigue in the later rounds.
“I feel like the advantage I have in this fight is my youth. I’m younger, I recover faster, I’m stronger, so I feel like this is something I can guarantee on my end.
“But because he could be tough, I think I’m going to be in for a tough start. But I do know he will get tired in the later rounds, which then make it easier for me to knock him out.”
Having made history as the youngest combat athlete to secure a One Championship contract worth USD100,000, Jojo is no stranger to breaking barriers and achieving greatness.
