"I feel fit" - Johan Ghazali says his body is finally getting used to Colorado's dreaded altitude
Teenage sensation Johan Ghazali is ultra relieved to be slowly acclimating to Colorado's dreaded altitude before returning to action next month.
Traveling across the other side of the world can be a difficult adjustment for any competing athlete. In general, it takes a few days for the body to fully acclimate to higher altitudes. Fortunately, 'Jojo' allowed enough time between now and his fight to get accustomed to the surrounding air.
From Malaysia to the US, it's almost a whole day of travel. So when Ghazali was asked how he's dealing with jetlag and elevation in Denver, he told the South China Morning Post:
"Both, it's pretty hard. I keep panting and I'm out of breath. But it's getting better. I feel fit now, I'm ready."
Johan Ghazali is picking up where he left off, starting with his second fight of the year against Josue Cruz at ONE 168: Denver.
Although the Malaysian-American standout has already impressed the fans with his incredible ONE journey thus far, he's hoping to bounce back from a decision loss against Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat at ONE 167.
He's, therefore, determined to deliver an all-time great performance against another seasoned Muay Thai veteran.
Tickets for ONE 168: Denver are available via Ticketmaster.
"I only hunt for one thing" - Johan Ghazali vows to replicate the same kind of intensity and aggression he showed before Duy Nhat loss
Fighting in the United States is a big deal for someone as young as Johan Ghazali. For one, it's the perfect opportunity to gain admiration from a growing Muay Thai fan base in the US.
The only way to leave a memorable impression is to give the fans exactly what they're paying good money for - a spectacular finish.
Despite ending his last fight with a loss, Ghazali is determined to treat fans with an absolute slugfest, punctuated with drama, flair, and energy.
Speaking to ONE, 'Jojo' revealed what the fans can expect to see when he controls center stage on September 6:
"Fans can expect the same version of Johan Ghazali, the one before my loss. That version had never left. I only hunt for one thing - a knockout."