"I feel even more focused" - Jonathan Di Bella says hunger to succeed is renewed after losing his kickboxing gold
Jonathan Di Bella may no longer have the ONE strawweight kickboxing world title in his possession. That, however, does not mean that the Canadian-Italian lacks the championship mindset or desire to achieve as he heads into his next fight.
The Team Di Bella Kickboxing star meets strawweight Muay Thai king Prajanchai PK Saenchai for the vacant gold in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 68, which emanates live from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 28.
Almost three months since he lost his 26-pound strap after missing hydration and withdrawing from his scheduled tie against Prajanchai at ONE Friday Fights 58, the Montreal native finds himself in another massive fight that could propel him to the top of the world.
Speaking to ONE Championship, Jonathan Di Bella touched on his mindset and what fuels his ambition to ensure he walks away from this tie as a ONE world champion at the Thai hero's expense.
He shared:
"I have a champion's mindset, but now I'm the underdog, so I feel even more focused. I want to win every fight, but especially now that I don't have the belt anymore, I want to bring it back for my family. That's my motivation."
Jonathan Di Bella has his radar locked on Takeru after Prajanchai clash
Should he leave the Mecca of Muay Thai next week with the ONE strawweight kickboxing world title safely tucked away in his luggage, Jonathan Di Bella is eager to get a catchweight tie against Takeru Segawa locked in.
In a recent interview with Calf Kick Sports, he said:
"Maybe, maybe, [we can talk about a catchweight fight against Takeru]. Like if he's okay. If he's ready to go."
Jonathan Di Bella's clash against Prajanchai will be part of a massive ONE Friday Fights 68 showcase on June 28.
The promotion's latest weekly offering inside the Thai capital city will be available to watch via pay-per-view at watch.onefc.com.