"I want to continue making my family proud" - Teenage phenom Johan Ghazali vows to impress if he gets on ONE's US cards
ONE rising star Johan Ghazali has certainly made quite the splash in the promotion's stacked flyweight Muay Thai division.
The Malaysian-American sensation remains perfect under the world's largest martial arts organization, with four of his five wins coming by way of impressive knockouts.
Now, Ghazali wants to showcase his stuff on an even grander stage.
Given his family ties in the United States, the 17-year-old wunderkind revealed his desire to be part of ONE's upcoming US events.
'Jojo' said in an interview with ONE Championship:
"I want to continue making my family name proud. I can get that done here, and maybe book a fight in the U.S. and continue flourishing there too in front of a new set of fans. And more importantly, my family, who have been wanting to watch me fight live for so long."
Johan Ghazali has exclusively fought in Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium so far.
After wreaking havoc in the ONE Friday Fights series, he made his Amazon debut at ONE Fight Night 17 last December, where he starched former flyweight Muay Thai title challenger Edgar Tabares in just 36 seconds.
Ghazali is set to make his first appearance of 2024 at ONE 167 next month, where he'll lock horns with Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat.
If the youngster can score another quick finish, he may just be fresh enough for a quick turnaround at ONE 168: Denver on September 6 or possibly the ONE 170 card in Atlanta, Georgia in November.
Johan Ghazali not underestimating Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat
While fighting in America is on his mind, Johan Ghazali knows he can't drift away from the task at hand. He must first beat his hard-hitting Vietnamese foe and prove he belongs in the big show.
The Rentap Muay Thai Gym added:
"I cannot underestimate Nguyen [Tran Duy Nhat] for what he's done. He's a veteran and I'm just a youngster. I may be coming in with a lot of knockouts, wins,ubut I'm not taking this fight lightly."
Prime Video subscribers can watch ONE 167 for free, live on US Primetime, from Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand on June 7.