“It’ll be really nice to beat him here” - Jonathan Di Bella fired up to upset Prajanchai in his own backyard
Jonathan Di Bella is excited for the opportunity to beat Prajanchai PK Saenchai on his own turf. Emanating from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok on Friday, June 28, ONE Friday Fights 68 will feature a massive championship headliner as Di Bella looks to reclaim the vacant ONE strawweight kickboxing world title.
Standing in his way of that goal will be the promotion's current strawweight Muay Thai king, who has his sights set on creating history by joining an elite list of fighters that are two-sport world champions on the global stage.
Going into enemy territory, Jonathan Di Bella relishes the idea of taking back the belt he never lost by besting one of Thailand's finest strikers in front of a hostile crowd.
Di Bella, in an interview with Bolasport, said:
"This is a very tough challenge because, you know, especially that he's going to be fighting in his hometown, he probably lives not far from the arena because he's always here and yeah, you know, it's his people, his hometown, his stadium, and yeah, it's good."
"It’ll be really nice to beat him here. I like it, I like that idea. I like it that I’m fighting a tough person and one of the best of the best in his hometown."
Jonathan Di Bella seeking redemption after ONE Friday Fights 58 withdrawal in April
In April, Di Bella was scheduled to defend the ONE strawweight kickboxing world championship against Prajanachai at ONE Friday Fights 58.
Unfortunately, the undefeated Canadian-Italian failed to pass hydration. As a result, Jonathan Di Bella was stripped of the 26 pounds of gold. He later withdrew from the contest entirely.
A few short months later, he'll have the chance to take back the title and score himself a bit of redemption in the process.
"Yeah, the preparation has been going well," he added. "Just like the last time, you know, everything was going well last time. I just got sick. So I couldn't compete.
"When I really wanted to compete, that's why I came to Thailand, but I was more sick and everything, and I couldn't let my body go through it. So yeah, now I'm better. I'm 100 percent healthy."
ONE Championship will present ONE Friday Fights 68 live from the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, June 28.
Click here to purchase the event via pay-per-view.